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

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——to try to get people to work together to improve the rate of water conservation because if schools follow good practice, that will keep down water charges. We should all be trying to conserve water.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is law and now we should be trying to improve on that, as good environmental practice and standards dictate.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Government is totally opposed to the practice of extraordinary rendition anywhere. It is important to repeat that at no stage, despite the various investigations that have taken place in recent years, has any evidence been produced that any person has ever been subject to extraordinary rendition through this country, nor has there even been any specific allegation to that effect. That...

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In the most recent case where it was reported to the Government that we should watch for a particular aeroplane, the Garda searched it and found six golfers on the way to Ballybunion.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As recently as 29 November 2007, the position of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on this matter was clearly set out in an Adjournment debate. We set out in the programme for Government that we have to make sure we follow international laws in these issues. As Deputy Gilmore is aware, there is a commitment to seek a review of the Chicago Convention. The Department of...

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The centrality of human rights compliance on this issue to policing in this country is highlighted in section 7 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. That was inserted into the Act when these issues arose. The objectives include the protection of life and property, and the vindication of the human rights of each individual. That is law and that is something which is complied with now by the Garda.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Transport will examine the recommendations made in the report given to us, but both have already made the point that there are serious questions about the effectiveness of the inspection regime proposed by the commission. We have explained this in detail to it. No other European country has such a regime. There is an issue about highlighting Shannon...

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Why put Shannon Airport on the international map as a place where something is happening, when several reports have examined the issue and found no validation? That is the point that has been made.

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The review fails to do justice to the extent to which the Government has been active on the issue of extraordinary rendition, both domestically and on the international stage. However, I am glad to note that it acknowledges the commitments given in the programme for Government which we will implement. As I mentioned, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has already called at EU level for a...

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——and will continue to comply with the highest international standards——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——but going beyond what everybody else in the world is doing for an airport when there is not a scintilla of evidence that anything has ever happened——

Leaders' Questions (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——would not be a good idea.

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. In the civic life section of the programme for Government my Department has direct responsibility for the active citizenship and volunteering section. While, as Head of Government, I have an oversight role in respect of all aspects of the programme for Government, I do not have direct responsibility for the implementation of the...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The electoral commission for local elections and the register are matters for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, to whom a question should be tabled. One of the task force's recommendations was that an electoral commission be set up. That matter is being examined within the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It is the...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is intended to fulfil the Government's commitment to establish an electoral commission. Deputy Gilmore should table a question to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government who is handling the matter. There will be an electoral Bill next year. The period of office of some members of the Standards in Public Office Commission has come to an end and the Minister for...

Programme for Government. (12 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not know if there is such a protocol, but it is a matter for the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The matter of resources for Government Departments and Agencies is dealt with in the general context of the estimates process, which must also have regard to the overall management of the State's financial resources. The funding allocated to the Law Reform Commission was determined in that context and in the context of Government policy in relation to these matters.

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 119 together. The Management Advisory Committee in my Department meets regularly to deal with all relevant aspects of the implementation of the business plan of the Department in furtherance of the Statement of Strategy, to deal with the management of the Department's resources and compliance with the various obligations relevant to the work of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There is one Programme Manager employed in my Department who is my Special Advisor. I have three Special Advisors, the Government Chief Whip has one Special Advisor and the Minister of State for European Affairs also has one Special Advisor. In addition, the Government Press Secretary and two Deputy Government Press Secretaries are employed by my Department. Of the seven Personal...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The contract for the supply of electrical energy to Government Buildings, my Department and its agencies, is not specifically for 'green' energy but does of course include a component of 'green' energy as connected to the national grid. The supply is at medium voltage and the electrical supply companies that specialise in 'green' energy are not active in this area of the market. The source...