Results 9,941-9,960 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The report published yesterday was a good one and if we can find time for a short debate on it, it would be useful.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: An external report on this issue was completed in September. This will now inform the preparation of draft legislation. Matters can proceed now on foot of the availability of this report.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The employment permits Bill is ready and will be taken in this session.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: No legislation is required on either issue. The first issue was dealt with by the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Question Time.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the Bill are expected before Christmas and it will be next year when it is published.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Not at this stage, but it has been dealt with in detail on a number of occasions on Taoiseach's Question Time. If the Whips can find time for these debates, it is fine with me.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Government has not considered this. Although it must be within the next two years, the Government has not yet set a date.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the parental leave (amendment) Bill have been approved and it will be published in the new year. The heads of the family law Bill, to provide for pension adjustments in the context of separation agreements and other reforms, are expected before Christmas and it will be drafted then. I am informed that it is a very detailed Bill. The social welfare (consolidation) Bill will be...

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is the same job.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: There was a debate at the time it was published. The Deputy should raise the matter with the Minister.

Order of Business. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I join in the best wishes to the Clerk of the Dáil.

Sustaining Progress. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 14, inclusive, together. In June we successfully concluded an agreement on pay and workplace related issues to cover the second half of the lifetime of Sustaining Progress. The agreement provides for a general round of pay increases in the private sector totalling 5.5% over 18 months, with an additional 0.5% increase for workers earning less than €9 per...

Sustaining Progress. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I did not refer to affordable housing because the Deputy put down three questions which did not mention it but I would be glad to answer.

Sustaining Progress. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Substantial progress has been made towards the target of 10,000 affordable houses outlined in Sustaining Progress — I mentioned the various initiatives. There are 59 projects planned on State and local authority lands. Together with a projected 2,100 affordable units under Part V, just short of a total of 8,900 housing units are projected to be delivered. These projects are being progressed...

Sustaining Progress. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I certainly agree that the public should give its view, through whatever process. I am not sure whether that should be through social partnership that deals with initiatives or reform of what workers do, workers' rights and workers' legislation. I am not sure that it is the best pillar to do it. Perhaps there is ground for an input. However, consumer groups and the Consumers Association of...

Sustaining Progress. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am not sure the appointment of a statutory enforcer of views is the way to go. Matters work best in this country when there is voluntary dialogue between the respective bodies, whether employers, boards, workers or users through the consumers' association. To try to make that statutorily and legally enforceable would probably only bring resentment and people would begin fighting. It is...

Sustaining Progress. (19 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding the 10,000 affordable houses, some of these units are already under construction, although I readily accept there are not enough. The State must first seek the lands and must not interfere with the separate social housing programme on which a vast amount of money is being spent. In many cases the land given by the State must be properly serviced and must go through the formal...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: A total of €3,043,973 has been spent by my Department on legal fees in the 12 month period from 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004. This total is made up of legal fees in respect of the legal team of the Moriarty tribunal, €2,603,085, and the independent commission of inquiry, €440,887. No other payments have been made in respect of legal fees. An amount of €14,049 has been paid in a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: A total of €150,473 has been spent by my Department on public relations fees in the 12-month period from 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004. Fleischman Hilliard Saunders, who are retained by the Information Society Commission to provide PR services, received the highest amount. There were no payments made to the company named by the Deputy. In the same period, a total of €353,396 was...

Written Answers — Department Websites: Department Websites (5 Oct 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Department of the Taoiseach's website is updated on a daily basis. All significant press releases are posted on the Department's website immediately or at the earliest possible convenience. In addition, statements and speeches which I make as Taoiseach are published together with any statements or speeches by the Ministers of State at the Department.