Results 9,661-9,680 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: Large amounts of bituminous coal are still burnt in China. This is a major problem of which they are aware. How it is resolved is another matter. One can imagine the effect of burning bituminous coal in a city with a population of 20 million people. We all remember what it was like in Dublin city with a population of only 1 million people. The Chinese people, particularly university students,...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: In my reply to Deputy Rabbitte, I explained that on this occasion I did not have discussions on Tibet. Before my last visit to China I met with Tibetan representatives in Ireland and made a formal presentation of their case when I was there. The dialogue which we asked for has now commenced. We strongly support the ingoing dialogue with the Chinese authorities and the representatives of the...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I note what Deputy Kenny said about the position in Sudan. While I am not up to date with what happened at Monday's meeting of the General Affairs Council, I will probably receive a report during the week. The Minister, Deputy Dermot Ahern, was dealing with the matter on Monday at the General Affairs Council and I will check what happened. I note what the Deputy said about trying to engage...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There is no change in our position in regard to Taiwan. We acknowledge, as we have done through the decades, China's position in regard to Taiwan. I reiterated Ireland's and the European Union's consistent "one China" policy. Equally, we maintain the EU's interest in maintaining links with Taiwan in non-political fields consistent with the "one China" policy. I stressed the importance of...

Official Engagements. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think the preparations have yet reached that stage. However, I indicated to the ambassador, with whom I was discussing other matters, that I would prefer not to get involved in the politics of exclusion. However, I am not sure if the White House will take a similar view. We must wait to see what happens. In reply to Deputy Higgins, I have been asked by the ETUC and others about...

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 16, statements on European Council, Brussels; No. 15, Disability Bill 2004 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 1, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 16 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following...

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I think the report will be published next week. It is an independent report and I can give no directions on it. The authors can write whatever they like.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: There has been no final Cabinet decision on the Dublin metro but the legislation is being worked on and should be available shortly after the decision is made.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: As I said last week, a short Bill is being prepared to make statutory provision for the new medical cards and will shortly be before the House.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will have to check on the matter of the Aarhus Convention. Will the Deputy repeat the name?

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is not possible to indicate at this time. The cross-departmental working group has reported to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who is now appointing an implementation group to advise on the necessary legislation. That end of the work is advancing. We will bring it as far as we can so that we can try to find some resolution on a North-South basis. That will be the...

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: That is what we will have to examine.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is to update the provisions relating to the regulation of nurses and midwives, and the heads of the Bill are expected shortly. As soon as we can get that done, it can go for drafting.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill were approved just before Christmas and it has gone for drafting. I have no date for it, but it has entered the drafting process.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: How many years have passed?

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: My notes do not contain the answer.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: It is to amend the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Acts 1967 to 1976 and to limit the Government's discretion in making orders in a way that would remedy any constitutional concern while not impinging on the general prerogative of the Government to make orders. I do not have a note telling me how many sections are included in the Bill.

Order of Business. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: On the co-operatives Bill, it is likely that a more fundamental review of the needs of the movement may be required before comprehensive proposals for legislation can be brought forward. The Department is working with the sector to facilitate its immediate legislative needs, whether by secondary legislation or inclusion in primary legislation, on this issue and others. Those discussions are...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: I will report briefly on yesterday's meeting. The meeting was divided into two sections. One was a briefing by Commissioner Conroy on his assessment, with Hugh Orde, Chief Constable of the PSNI. Both confirmed their positions, that is, Hugh Orde's public statement and the advice given to us by Commissioner Conroy. They believe that a number of operations which took place during 2004, not just...

Leaders' Questions. (2 Feb 2005)

Bertie Ahern: The position is clear. Collectively, the two Governments and all the parties did an enormous amount of work last year and the previous year. That is set out in the joint declaration and in the working documents that were presented on 8 December in a complete position. If we get a definitive answer from Sinn Féin, for which both of us have asked, about how to deal with decommissioning and, as...