Results 10,321-10,340 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I do not envisage any change in the format for the presidential election in October. There will be no change from the present position, either constitutionally or legislatively.

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In response to Deputy Sargent's question we will endeavour to bring forward amendments. There are several constitutional issues to be dealt with in the coming years and the best way to deal with those will be to group some of the issues arising from the report with those, in as many instances as we can.

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 9 together. The Government has no proposals at present to hold a referendum to change the Constitution. The position continues to be held under review in light of developments, including: the outcome of the examination by the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution of property rights issues; the outcome of the study being conducted by a...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In reply to the first question, it is almost definite that a referendum will be required during the life of this Dáil to deal with the outcome of the IGC on the constitution. Whether that is concluded in the first or second half of this year or next year, it will have to be dealt with. It will almost certainly have to be put to the people in a formal referendum. So the answer is "Yes". I...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: On the Deputy's first question, there is no further progress other than what I referred to in regard to the property rights issue and the outstanding report. While we have done some work it has not been based around the issues raised by the Deputy. What was the second question the Deputy asked?

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: No, there is no constitutional change required. The Attorney General stated that we have to look to the base of legislation to see if there are similar legislative matters that would fall into the same category as that judgment, and that process is under way. On the Deputy's third question, clearly there is a role to try to ensure that there is as much understanding of the constitutional...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I have nothing further to add to what I said in reply to Deputy Kenny. The all-party committee has given urgent consideration to this issue. It has received written and oral submissions, held public hearings and will shortly make recommendations in its report. The Government also examined these matters in considerable detail last year. The Deputy will be aware that most of those who spoke on...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I may be wrong on that. Regarding a ground rents Bill, we have had several legislative changes to the Landlord And Tenant (Ground Rents) Act 1967 over the past 25 years, and the legal advice for a considerable number of years has been that it is probably not possible to go further in the area. I am not totally familiar with all the arguments on all sides, but the Deputy can table a question...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy tables a question to the Minister, he will give him the information.

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is not possible at this stage to state whether costs will be granted to all or any of the parties concerned. Matters pertaining to the award of costs are normally decided by the chairman at the end of a tribunal of Inquiry and his or her decision is then announced at a costs hearing. This costs hearing is held in public after the publication of his or her report.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Details of amounts spent in my Department in respect of advertising and media purposes are set as follows: Year Advertising Media/PR 2002 €84,270.19 — Of this total, €16,000 related to advertisements notifying the public of the cancellation of tours of Government Buildings inthree national dailies and €2,969.21 was spent in Iris Oifigiuil. Year...

Order of Business. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the ban is not dependent on the Bill but will come in after that.

Order of Business. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I cannot give an exact date. There has been another meeting between the officials and the disabilities legislation group. There will be another Cabinet sub-committee meeting on the issue in the next few days, after which the officials will report back, and we will see what progress was made.

Order of Business. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The report of the advisory group on defamation was published on 20 June and the public consultation process ended a number of days ago. The Minister will bring forward legislation later this year.

Order of Business. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: This session.

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The first question Deputy Kenny asked me was about my use of the words "no delay has arisen". I did not use those words for any particular reason. When I made a statement to the tribunal on 27 January 1999, I gave all the details in that case. Most of the details, some five or six points, I gave in full — the letter from Martin Macken, former general secretary, to Pádraig Flynn; the...

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: An enormous number of people are dealing with these procedures and investigating them on behalf of this House. We delegated that authority from this House so the Deputy should not ask me to run a separate tribunal. I cannot do that.

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I can give the resources. I can co-operate and I can help with the function——

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: ——but I cannot set up a separate tribunal. I have to live by the strictures and rules, and the Deputy must understand that as a Member of this House.

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The issue of the NIB report is a matter for the High Court. I understand the final report is due this summer. That is the latest position.