Results 8,941-8,960 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Every year 1.25 million people pass through accident and emergency units. Many hospitals which have accident and emergency units deal satisfactorily every day with emergency cases. In approximately six hospitals the numbers are consistently large. I have pointed out to the House on many occasions the type of actions being taken in accident and emergency units, including putting in large...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive state that the hospitals require other beds in order to rectify this problem. We have put together several action points to assist in this, which are being implemented. Buying beds from the private sector for step-down care is one measure and yields approximately 500 beds. Another point is to install acute medical...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I go through these figures every week but there is no problem in Limerick Hospital this week. There is no problem in Galway.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no problem in Cork. There is a problem in Dublin and Wexford. I have outlined the measures we are taking. There is a capital issue in Wexford which is being studied too.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: If the Irish Nurses Organisation wishes to work with us to resolve these problems, as I hope it does, the Government will work with it.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Health and Safety Authority, following its report on accident and emergency services in 11 hospitals, is working with the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive to resolve some of the problems it highlighted. The problems involve capital issues, cleanliness and the provision of new facilities and equipment, details of which I gave last week. Obviously the...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 14, Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004 — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; and No. 4, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 41, motion re class sizes.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not have a date for the nurses (amendment) Bill but I will ask when it will be ready. In regard to the other matter, there are issues to be clarified. It is clear from what happened in previous elections that we need to know the position one way or the other. Subject to correction, the only way to get absolute certainty in these matters is to legislate and primary legislation is the way...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The building control Bill should be ready late this year. The heads of the Bill have been approved. It will deal with the issues in the Building Control Act 1990 and will provide statutory protection for architects, building surveyors and quantity surveyors. During the debate it will be open to Members to extend it if they so wish.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I understand that matter is on the Adjournment. Work is under way on the heads of the civil law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill and it is hoped it will come before the House later this year.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: What Deputy Quinn has said is correct. The heads of the Bill were cleared about three years ago and it has been in the system since then and has not come forward.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: When it is raised here it goes back to the section. In regard to priority we deal with many Bills in each session and priority Bills are brought forward. We are hard-pressed even to get those through the House. Usually 20 Bills are dealt with in each session. New Bills are always being introduced. The pecking order or the timeframe relating to the drafting of Bills decide when Ministers or...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The minimum wage in this country is the second highest in Europe, it is not paltry. If the Deputy so desires, we can have a debate to congratulate ourselves on the fact that the rate is so high. The Government has tried to keep those on the minimum wage out of the tax net. All EU and OECD statistics prove that low paid workers in this country — in so far as they are on low pay — are...

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill are being revised at present. The Bill will probably be brought forward next year.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know. I suggest the Deputy table a question to the relevant Minister.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As far as the Government is concerned, it has been cleared.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill will be brought forward in the autumn.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the second question, it is true that the Act was struck down. In answer to the Deputy's first question, I understand that legislation may be required. I will consult with the Department of Health and Children and inform the Deputy of the position.

Order of Business. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the medical practitioners Bill, further heads are expected by the summer. The legislation will probably be introduced next year. The Department of Health and Children has other legislation which will be dealt with in this session. Work is well advanced on the nursing homes repayment scheme. Legislation has already been enacted and the scheme is being put in place. The Tánaiste is giving...

Regulatory Reform. (26 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together. Considerable progress has been achieved since the publication in 2001 of the OECD report on regulatory reform in Ireland. Many of the OECD recommendations related to specific sectoral issues and appropriate Ministers with responsibility for those sectors report progress to the House. A key recommendation of the OECD report was the...