Results 9,121-9,140 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. There are no specific plans at present to hold any referenda during 2005. The treaty to establish a constitution for Europe was signed at a ceremony in Rome on 29 October 2004. Member states of the EU must have completed their ratification processes by 1 November 2006. As the Deputies will be aware, I have indicated my intention to...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: As I stated there is no Government decision on the matter yet but the referendum has to take place before 1 November 2006. Preparations are already under way. Work on the legislation is under way. A Bill will come before the House sooner rather than later. The Referendum Commission will then put forward the balanced arguments as per the procedures. An explanatory document on the EU...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: I agree with all the points made by the Deputy. The sooner the House deals with the legislation the better and, if possible, I would like to complete it. The establishment of the commission is crucial and that depends on the legislation. The information can then be dealt with in the manner outlined by the Deputy, with which I agree. A decision on the date for the referendum can then be...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: The periodical Eurobarometer polls indicate a high level of support in Ireland for the European constitution. However, it is clear that a job must be done to ensure all citizens are informed. We have already published an explanatory guide to the constitution and will publish a White Paper. The Referendum Commission, which will be established shortly, will be given the resources to ensure that...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: The question on the Referendum Commission being able to commence its work will be addressed when the referendum Bill is brought before the House. It is intended to introduce it as soon as possible. This is in everyone's interest and will allow us to proceed with the debate and associated issues. It is the obligation of each member state to pass and ratify the EU constitution. Regardless of...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: I do not want to speculate on what decision we might make in the future. People ask me to put through some more of the issues with which the constitutional review group has dealt, on the basis that we cannot have costly referenda every month. Perhaps it makes sense to put them together but there is no particular proposal.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: The All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution is carrying out a study of the family and children issue and any referendum will arise out of its report when completed. That will cover any other issues the committee has examined already in that area. The committee said we do not require a constitutional amendment on the building land issue. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: In regard to France, the Netherlands and several other countries holding referenda we have an obligation to pass the European constitution here. In November 2006 the European Council will examine the position. If 90% of countries ratify the constitution by then it will decide on how to proceed. The outcome is not influenced by what happens in any one country. We have an obligation to fulfil...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: Whatever about outside economists' reports on building land, over the last number of years we have proved the capacity in the country to build a record number of houses. The rate of price increase significantly reduced as we dealt with the issues of supply and demand, which is significant. The All-Party Committee on the Constitution report did not find that a constitutional amendment is...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: We have a responsibility to hold a referendum in this country and to try to have it passed, which is what we are endeavouring to do. I will not speculate on anything else.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: There is no other plan. The European constitution includes fundamental rights for citizens. It specifies what is already included in the treaties that people have passed democratically. I do not understand how people can be fundamentally opposed to what has already been passed by way of democratic referendum. There is no change involved in the constitution.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: The people have already voted on these issues. The only aspect which is new is the fundamental rights issue. This gives people the right to protect themselves against either governments or institutions where they believe their rights are being withheld. That is the only change involved in the constitution.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy is against fundamental rights for people, that is fair enough. He is entitled to be opposed to human rights and other fundamental rights for people.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: I am just giving the factual position of what is in the constitution.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: The Government's concern is building sufficient houses. For the first time, we are close to meeting the demand for housing.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: The Seville declaration was built into the second Nice treaty. Protections with regard to this issue were clearly put forward to the Irish people. They are absolutely clear. The entire European Council, and subsequently the Irish people, agreed to them. This is the position on which people will be asked to vote again. There is no danger to Irish neutrality in any of this. We will continue to...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: As I stated earlier, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, will shortly bring forward a detailed paper on the Government's next set of initiatives. We brought forward many initiatives over recent years, which is why the supply of housing in this country has increased from a stagnant 20,000 to 25,000 homes to the current figure of 75,000. From the...
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: I have already stated that arising from the reports we will bring forward another set of proposals. They must go through Government, so I will not announce them here. I can tell the House of the measures we have taken to date.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: I am not going to announce a Government decision before we have considered it.
- Constitutional Referenda. (12 Apr 2005)
Bertie Ahern: Deputy Rabbitte wants to be ahead of a Government decision.