Results 8,901-8,920 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (27 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy knows, because he has worked with us on this over the last number of months, we have been endeavouring to deal with the outstanding issues on all the points he has raised. The first objective is to complete the work we have been involved in for several weeks in negotiating with Gama's legal advisors who are currently our only contact with the company. This is not the best way to...

Leaders' Questions. (27 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We are trying to bring resolutions to the outstanding issues and to devise an acceptable verification process in regard to the transfer of funds to the personal accounts of Gama workers. We are actively engaged in this regard. A number of employee accounts have been processed including those of the workers who have returned to Turkey. Certain issues were raised with the company last week and...

Leaders' Questions. (27 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Some 118 workers were involved in the first instance and approximately 100 in the second. We are endeavouring to make progress in this matter and it will be helpful to put the matter to the Labour Relations Commission. We have no problem taking the actions suggested by the Deputy in trying to assist the verification process. However, it is an industrial relations issue and must be dealt with...

Leaders' Questions. (27 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the welfare issue is under consideration. I hope the company will not dare to evict those workers on stoppage for whom it provides food and accommodation. I have already made that position clear to the legal representatives of the company, and I do so again here today. Such actions would not be acceptable. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is involved on a daily...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: At my recent meeting with Prime Minister Blair, I again raised the question of a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane. We want to see the standard agreed at Weston Park and set by Judge Cory adhered to. While Prime Minister Blair has been very clear in his discussions and correspondence with me that this is also the British Government's intention, we continue to share the concern of...

Written Answers — Dublin-Monaghan Bombings: Dublin-Monaghan Bombings (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Oireachtas joint committee which examined the Barron report into the 1974 bombings last year recommended the establishment of a commission of inquiry to examine matters relevant to this jurisdiction, including specific aspects of the Garda investigation at the time and missing documentation. The Government has decided to proceed with the establishment of a commission in accordance with...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The arrangements for maternity leave within the public bodies under the aegis of my Department are the arrangements specified in the Maternity Protection Act 1994 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2001, the Adoptive Leave Act 1995 (Extension of Periods of Leave) Order 2001 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 and in the Department of Finance circular on maternity leave 35/95...

Written Answers — Public Capital Programme: Public Capital Programme (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. There are no staff employed full-time on the assessment, procurement, project management and delivery of infrastructure projects at present, although a number of officials in my Department are involved in considering infrastructure expenditure programmes in the course of the work of interdepartmental groups, such as the cross-departmental...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy is correct that the social welfare (consolidation) Bill is due to be published in mid-2005. The Department of Social and Family Affairs is hoping to meet that deadline but it seems more likely to be taken in the autumn session. It may be published in the summer but it is unlikely to be taken in the House until the autumn. The heads of the building societies (amendment) Bill were...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the alcohol products (control of advertising, sponsorship and marketing practices/sales promotions) Bill have been approved by Government. The legislation should be ready sometime later this year.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill are expected shortly. However, I do know when the Bill, which will update the various items of pharmacy legislation that have been on the Statute Book for many years, will be published.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the national oil agency Bill were recently approved. The legislation should be drafted by the end of the year.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have already indicated that the medical practitioners Bill will be produced next year.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will try to be equally brief. The Provisional IRA prisoners have been detained in the Grove area in Castlerea since 1999, which is an open prison. I understand from everyone involved that it cannot be described as living in luxury. The McCabe killers, together with the other prisoners in Castlerea, are under no illusions that they are in prison. The governor is totally in charge in all...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The leadership of the Sinn Féin Party has argued vociferously since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement that the McCabe murderers should be let out under that Agreement. We have gone all the way to the Supreme Court to reject that. There were many attempts for us to come to an arrangement regarding this matter. I have explained to the House previously that the Government was once...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I have noted what the INO has said. Progress is being made on the implementation of the ten-point plan. The Tánaiste, her key officials and, increasingly, the Health Service Executive are spending considerable time trying to deal with this particular aspect. Many actions are being taken, including the freeing up of the acute beds and the efforts to improve the patient flows. I receive a...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Improvements in the accident and emergency service are expected in the coming weeks as patients——

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: ——ready for discharge from acute hospitals are placed in more appropriate care settings. The Health Service Executive is working with hospitals to deliver these measures as quickly as possible and to ensure the investments announced are being sustained.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The HSE has completed its programme of inspections in the 11 hospitals.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The HSA has acknowledged that the hospitals are fully engaged in the process of——