Results 10,181-10,200 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Freedom of Information. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy knows, the numbers were in decline. The areas of the Act with which we thought there might be difficulties, namely, sections 19 and 20, have not presented any. As can be seen from the total figure of €435 which I gave, it cannot have had much effect on the personal applications. As the Deputy knows, there is no cost for cases or appeals in which people seek personal...

Freedom of Information. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: That is the point. Any meetings will be between the Information Commissioner and the Department of Finance. We based the Act on the experience in other countries and when one compares the charges in those other countries against those here, they are still very low. Admittedly, it is a great deal if someone spends €3,000. I do not know the circumstances of that case but even though there is...

Freedom of Information. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I can answer for my own Department because it is easy to do so. The answer is "yes". Companies have stopped using the Act even though the costs are low. Due to the practice being highlighted so much in the debate and in various discussions, it is not being used by commercial interests. Some companies were using it as a service to gather the information but that practice has ceased.

Constitutional Amendments. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 11 to 16, inclusive, together. The constitutional amendment concerning the entitlements to Irish citizenship of children of non-national parents will be held on 11 June 2004. The Government has no further proposals at present to hold any other referenda in 2004. The position will continue to be held under review in the light of developments including the...

Constitutional Amendments. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The matter of legislation on the property issue is being discussed by a number of Departments. I note what the report states, although I have not read all the documents on the property issue. The National Economic and Social Council report on housing is also due out shortly. That will be important and should be read along with the report of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution. I also...

Constitutional Amendments. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am not sure if that will solve the problem, but perhaps legislation is the way to proceed and then we will see what happens. On the issue raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin, many of these issues are subject to discussion before a decision is finally taken. The rule is that one cannot prejudice Government decisions and one has to avoid making public statements or commenting on policy proposals...

Constitutional Amendments. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The voting machines will be used in any event because there will not be a separate machine.

Constitutional Amendments. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: On the second issue, in so far as this matter was covered in Oireachtas report, there was a clear view of what should happen in the 1996 Oireachtas review report. It thought we should legislate to amend the Constitution.

Constitutional Amendments. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: On the first issue raised by Deputy Kenny, I do not agree with any of the points he made about the citizenship referendum. This issue was highlighted eight years ago. We tried to operate a particular system but abuses of the law in some respects were being practised more frequently. This will be a minor change. It will not have that great an effect on most people. It will have the effect of...

Constitutional Amendments. (4 May 2004)

Bertie Ahern: A fortnight. He asked for two weeks from today and he has been allowed two weeks from today to reply to the Government.

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am pleased to be here today to contribute to this important debate. There is apparent agreement that there is clear and systematic abuse of Ireland's constitutional right to citizenship. This is a problem. What we need to do, in a rational way, is to identify a solution to this problem. That is what this referendum is about. It is obvious that citizenship is a fundamental aspect of our...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am aware of recent criticism about this proposed referendum and the related legislative proposal. However, opponents of this change have failed to recognise the views of the Constitution Review Group. In its report of May 1996 the Constitution Review Group addressed the issue of citizenship and made a recommendation that the acquisition of Irish citizenship should not be provided for by the...

Twenty-seventh Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2004: Second Stage. (21 Apr 2004)

Bertie Ahern: What more suitable day exists than one which ensures maximum participation in the democratic process of voting — the date of an election? The choice of 11 June is thus both reasonable and fair. Our decision to hold this referendum occurred against a background of looking at other possible solutions and for some time we have examined potential legislative solutions but none of those was...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 205, inclusive, together. The cost of maintaining the Office of the Attorney General as a whole in 2002 and 2003 amounted to €8,669,000 and €10,085,000, respectively. There are no separate figures available for the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel which is a constituent part of the Office of the Attorney General. As I indicated to the Deputy in...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny referred to three issues. If it proves possible to reach a conclusion prior to the European Parliament elections, I would be pleased. The greatest difficulty we face in terms of moving forward relates to the dates for changes in government in various states. The new Spanish Government has made it clear that it will not take office before 20 April. However, we will engage with the...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Quinn for his remarks. Approximately three hours was dedicated to this matter at the summit, which was far more than was allocated in the past two years. We scheduled the business on the Thursday so that most of Friday could be given over to the economic issue. Deputy Quinn is correct. The concept of Antonio Guiteras' plan four years ago was to ensure heads of State gave time...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I think there is, in terms of co-ordination. I do not like the concept of just a competitiveness commissioner. Everyone knows how that will turn out. I have no problem with competitiveness leading to a better economy and investment but the social dialogue issue would get lost in that. Last week, I met with the employers, unions and conferences. They will always have more resources and will...

European Council Meetings: Statements. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputy Gormley for the constructive role he has played in this process. We retain elements of rotation. However, the European Union is approaching the stage when no single country, big or small, can manage the full range of business. In the IGC, we are working with 28 members, the Council secretariat and the Commission, and the range is simply enormous. Macedonia lodged its papers...

Leaders' Questions. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The discussions on the reform of the transport system under the 1932 Act are in the transport framework. I hope they come to a successful outcome. Deputy Ó Caoláin will be well aware that the issue of the opening up of transport is taking place worldwide and that is inevitable. We saw it last year with rail. The agreed reforms are best carried out between the CIE management, the Government...

Order of Business. (30 Mar 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 12, statements on European Council, Brussels; and No. 1, Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad] — Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 12 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes and the following arrangements...