Results 9,061-9,080 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We could take it one night.

Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is at Second Stage but I do not know when it will return here. It is a matter for the Whips.

Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill is at Second Stage.

Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Coroners Bill are expected by mid-2005, while the Bill is due by 2006. I recognise the Bill's importance and I will raise the possibility of fast-tracking it with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Under the EU constitution, environmentalists have the power to deal with these issues. The Minister is committed to following these powers. In the context of the complaint about Ringsend, to which Deputy Sargent referred, the Commission criticises Ireland for not having rules relating to odour from waste water plants. The draft binding rules are being finalised by the Department to comply...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: To say it is a major problem and to ignore all that has been happening in Dublin Bay is not correct. Dublin Bay has been cleaned up. A magnificent job has been done in the area.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: People who were never able to do so are now swimming in the bay.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: This is one of the most significant and best jobs carried out around the coastline. The new water plant schemes around the country have been built to the highest standards with the best equipment. They have done extremely well.

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It was accepted by everyone, including Dublin Corporation, the Minister and everyone involved, that when tests were carried out last summer and at other times that there was an odour in the area. The builders and the technical people who installed the equipment are trying to limit this odour to the best of their ability. It is not a matter of adding something else to highly sophisticated...

Leaders' Questions. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: They are doing their utmost to limit the odour and I hope they will finalise any outstanding technical issues as soon as possible.

Official Engagements. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 19, inclusive, together. I, along with the other EU Heads of State or Government, met with President Bush in Brussels on 22 February. In addition, EU Foreign Ministers, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, had separate meetings with the Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice. A strong partnership between the EU and the US is...

Official Engagements. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The story regarding money laundering occurred before I had any knowledge of involvement by Bulgarian authorities, so the matter was not discussed. However, the authorities have been helpful and have been working in co-operation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda. There is an ongoing investigation into the matter and the Bulgarian authorities have been very...

Official Engagements. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There were a lot of questions.

Official Engagements. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will attempt to answer them all. Both the Polish Government and opposition are very pro-US and supportive of the action taken in Iraq. They have had troops there from the start of the war. They strongly follow the US line at all meetings of the European Council, so any remarks made were in support of the US stance on Iraq. Marek Belka's political position is extremely supportive of the US...

Official Engagements. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: : It is North Korea. It is unfair to China when it is trying to co-operate in every other way to associate it with Zimbabwe and North Korea. It is a point of principle with the Chinese and it not about trying to get freedom or to open up, so to speak. However, representatives in the United States take a contrary view. When I was in the United States I was lobbied by every senator and...

Official Engagements. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is not an Irish position but it is the position of the European Council that we should not remove the arms embargo against China until we get the code of practice finished and ratified, and then we should try to deal with China. I remember the position in Myanmar and I also mentioned Zimbabwe. It is not fair that China is in the same category — I do not think anybody is arguing about...

Official Engagements. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I did not ask for a timetable for the withdrawal of American and other coalition forces from Iraq. We were given a briefing on current matters in Iraq, including the elections, the new Administration, the recent successes and of course the ongoing dangerous military situation faced by the coalition forces. The issue of Shannon Airport did not arise. It now fully complies with the UN...

Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 9a, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 16, Disability Bill 2004 — Second Stage (resumed); No. 18, Garda Síochána Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); No. 17, Land Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 19, statements on European Council in Brussels, to be taken immediately following the announcement of matters...

Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Yes. Suicide is a serious matter with which I know Deputy Neville has been involved for years. I would be happy if we could arrange a time, perhaps late in the session. I will briefly answer on the other issue raised.

Order of Business. (13 Apr 2005)

Bertie Ahern: We will bring it forward. I wish to answer the questions put by Deputies Kenny and Costello and give the legal advice I have received from both the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Office of the Attorney General. I am not giving any of my own views on this matter in which I have not been involved. It is important and I have read the report which has come up before. This...