Results 881-900 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Given the need to manage the transition to an appropriate new system and to enable conservation measures to be implemented to deal with such issues, the Government is considering the implementation of a transition period. This would involve the payment by schools of flat rate charges that are appropriate to the school size, which is what happens at present. During this period, schools would...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Government has also sought legal advice from the Attorney General's office on its long-term options under the framework directive——

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——and, in particular, its entitlement to put in place a scheme that would apply to schools on an ongoing basis thereafter.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Perhaps I did not answer the questions in sequence but I thought that I had given a clear indication of the Government's intentions. The answer to Deputy Kenny's first question is "Yes". The directive requires member states to ensure no later than 2010 that water pricing policies in each member state will provide adequate incentives for users to use water resources effectively and thereby...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: They should hold them.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No, they should just hold them until the Government issues a more detailed statement.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Was that helpful?

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the last question, the legislation referred to will be necessary and a separate Bill will have to be introduced by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, but the legislation must be prepared. It will probably have to be produced very shortly.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will explain that to the Deputy if he wishes.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: And more beds.

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In recent years there has been a growing preference for giving greater legal certainty to the underpinning of primary legislation. A number of powers have been exercised through secondary legislation and statutory instruments. The courts have given their judgment on the matter and the Attorney General has advised recently that the legislative basis for certain bodies created under the...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: What the Deputy alleges is not the case. There are 19 bodies included in the legislation. It covers establishment orders for St. James's, Beaumont, St. Luke's and Leopardstown Park hospitals, in addition to the Dublin Dental Hospital, the National Haemophilia Council and the Drug Treatment Centre Board——

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will deal with co-location in a moment. These bodies are all covered by the legislation according to the judgment of the Attorney General. The Irish National Cancer Registry, the Women's Health Council, the National Council on Ageing and Older People——

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate that. I will deal with the one the Deputy does not want included. Under the programme for Government, we are committed to providing an additional 1,500 public acute hospital beds. The co-location initiative aims to deliver 1,000 of these for public patients through the development of private hospitals on public sites. The intention is to transfer private property activity to...

Leaders' Questions (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is expected that the co-located private hospitals will most likely open within three years of receiving planning permission. The board has approved the successful bidder status for Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Sligo and St. James's hospitals. The HSE and the board of St. James's Hospital are working with the preferred bidders to finalise the project arrangements for the sites. St. James's...

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 2, Appropriation Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage, Second and Subsequent Stages; and No. 3 — Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage, Second and Subsequent Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and Business shall be interrupted not later than 10.30...

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yesterday.

Order of Business (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is years since an appropriation Bill was discussed at any length in this House, but it is discussed in the Seanad, which is meeting on Thursday to debate the Bill. That has been the practice for the last 20 years. We have a committee system that looks at it. As Deputy Kenny remembers, we used to discuss the budget for weeks on end, but that was when it was bad news. Now the Opposition...

Northern Ireland Issues. (18 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. With the restoration of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, there are no current proposals to reconvene the Forum for Peace and Reconciliation. The development of a North-South parliamentary forum was discussed at the North-South Ministerial Council, NSMC, in July, where we agreed it is a matter best progressed by the...