Results 1,001-1,020 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Constitutional Amendments. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The decision is clear. It must be held in 2008 because it must be ratified by 1 January 2009. I have not given up on holding the two referendums on the one day, if possible. We must be fair to the considerable group behind the children's referendum, which is far larger than most groups that seek our assistance. It represents organisations across communities in every part of the country,...

Constitutional Amendments. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's views because he has been an eminent member of the Constitution review group for many years and I would not discount anything he says. We must make this judgment soon. Deputy O'Keeffe will agree, however, that one of the big problems surrounding EU referendums is to bring out a respectable size of electorate. We must make a call on this. The issues are...

National Centre for Partnership. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. Over the past three years, the National Economic and Social Forum, NESF, has prepared reports on the following policy themes: early childhood care and education, care for older people, creating a more inclusive labour market, improving the delivery of quality public services, the arts, cultural inclusion and social cohesion and...

National Centre for Partnership. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In response to Deputy Ó Caoláin, NESF reports go to the individual Departments and it is for those Departments to implement the proposals, many of which were taken up in the budget last week, while many others are implemented in legislation. The NESF does a good job annually in offering broad outlines of the actions it believes should be taken on various exclusion issues and other matters....

National Centre for Partnership. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We have decided to rephase it, to put back the first part of it by a year and put the other part in place in 2009 and 2010. The full costs will not come on the Exchequer until 2011, which will be 11 years after the last report by the review body.

National Centre for Partnership. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We have put the cost back 11 years from the last implementation of the review body's report.

National Centre for Partnership. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The way the process is carried out in the Department of Finance means the only orders which need ratification are those for the Judiciary and politicians. The increases for the Civil Service and commercial semi-State bodies went into the system after the decision was made and the personnel in question will be paid. The Government will also pass the order for the Judiciary. The only people...

National Centre for Partnership. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is a good example of our goodwill.

National Centre for Partnership. (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I join Deputy Kenny in remembering those who have died in recent days. I commiserate with their families and remember the families of those who are ill. The Deputy rightly said that this is an ongoing problem. I said that last week in the House. As someone who is honoured to represent a city centre constituency, I am aware that the incidence of drug use has not changed much over the past...

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I appreciate the constructive points made by Deputy Kenny. I will not stand here and say I am happy with the situation because the enforcement powers must be used. I have seen the Garda take a tough line by going to the courts and using its powers to close licensed premises in which it believes there is regular drug-taking, or at least activities around it. However, we need to see far more...

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will look at any suggestions. On the Deputy's point, I have seen the Garda operate in licensed premises that got out of control. The searches were done under the misuse of drugs legislation. The Garda quotes in its search warrants that it has the power to search anyone wherever they have reasonable cause to believe there has been a drug offence, including simple possession. The Garda...

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have said that I will look at any legislative measures. I raised directly with the Commissioner and senior management of the Garda the protection of witnesses legislation. They explained to me at some length how the system operates. There are a number of people in the scheme. They believe that moving further is not necessary because of the system they operate, but I will make the point...

Leaders' Questions (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There is a large amount of drugs coming in. That is a fact and we should do whatever we need to do to help the Garda. It has put a number of special units on this issue and is engaging in a fairly large undercover activity to try to bring to justice those involved in the trade. It is using large numbers of units, not only in city areas but around the country. It is well known because it...

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 6, motion re appointment of members to committee; No. 2, Social Welfare Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage, with the debate to be adjourned at 7 p.m., if not previously concluded; and No. 9, financial motions by the Minister for Finance [2007] (motion 5, resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall...

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the electricity (transfer of transmission assets) Bill have been approved for some time. Work is continuing to progress their preparation but the reality is that the Bill is unlikely to be presented for some time. I do not envisage it moving quickly. The Money Advice and Budgeting Service Bill is at drafting stage; the heads have not yet been prepared. I answered the question...

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do. I would not air-brush anybody from history.

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The one for the Civil Service and semi-State bodies has already taken effect; it did not require a statutory instrument. The one for the Judiciary does require a statutory instrument to take effect. There will be no increases in salary for Ministers and Ministers of State until next September, before which an order will be required.

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It has to be introduced.

Order of Business (11 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.