Results 10,361-10,380 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The tribunals have full responsibility and powers to find out about all these issues and, in so far as I can see and hear, I am sure they are in the process of uncovering them. As to when I first knew about these issues, I was made aware of them some years ago when it was stated that Mr. Gilmartin put it on the public record that he had given Pádraig Flynn resources. The matter has been...

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I have already answered the question on Deputy Cooper-Flynn. I have stated the Fianna Fáil position on this. At the end of the Supreme Court judgment and some of these other matters that are under investigation, Fianna Fáil will reach its conclusion on that. The party has rules and procedures — indeed, it is the only party that has rules and procedures in these matters——

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: ——and we comply with those laws. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and I had no discussions on this. I assume what he believes, as does everyone in the Cabinet, is that if money has been taken in an illegal fashion — I do not know what the situation is until the tribunal is finished — or bogus or offshore accounts have been used in an illegal fashion, such conduct...

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: ——and other parties too, but I will not get into that unless the Deputy would like me to——

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Fianna Fáil took the decision, on legal advice, that on the conclusion of the tribunals we would take whatever action is deemed necessary. In the case of Deputy Flynn, the party sought, through the general secretary, to find out the position. It was made clear that these matters would be dealt with in the tribunal and that we would not get a reply until the end of that inquiry.

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: There have been a few cases, but not many. Fianna Fáil has co-operated fully with the tribunals. Fianna Fáil accountants and legal teams have examined all the issues surrounding these donations. They comprise a small number of cases and all the facts and knowledge available to us have been given. In a number of cases we would have spoken to individuals who gave the money and to people...

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Fianna Fáil took these matters seriously even if others did not. We have, at all times and in all ways, assisted the tribunal and will continue to assist it in uncovering precisely who received the cheque and for what purposes. We have set up a detailed and expansive tribunal of inquiry. I have, at all times, assisted it in every way I possibly could. What I will not do and have not done is...

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am sorry about that.

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I thought I had answered the Deputy's question but I will do so again. Pádraig Flynn did not comprehensively answer the issue but publicly stated at that time that he would address the matter within the tribunal. That is where the matter rested during the past five years plus, since these matters came to light. While I am not answerable to this House on matters relating to Fianna Fáil, I...

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: That High Court judgment was subsequently appealed and the party, under its rules of due process, allowed that position to await the tribunal proceedings.

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The party's rule on the code of ethics is that the party's committee——

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: ——cannot make——

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: A Cheann Comhairle, I am trying to answer questions.

Leaders' Questions. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The party's committee cannot be an alternative investigator or tribunal. It can only deal with matters when duly established tribunals or inquiries actually deal with them. That is the party ruling as passed by the Ard-Fheis in 2000, as a matter of interest.

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I thank the House for the opportunity to make this statement. A serious and unfounded accusation has been made against me. It is alleged that I delayed the workings of the Mahon tribunal for five years. This is totally untrue, it is a nonsense and, as I said yesterday, it is untrue. The tribunal was established to find the truth about accusations of grave wrongdoing against people in public...

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I am happy to continue co-operating with the tribunal and I look forward to the conclusion of its inquiry so that I can get the public vindication to which I am entitled.

Mahon Tribunal: Statements. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: None of the letters from the various tribunals to the Government secretariat seeking papers, files and diaries regarding a number of events before them have ever been shown to me, on the basis that the tribunals mark them "Strictly Confidential". None of the letters has ever been seen by me. I am not saying the Deputy said anything in this regard and I am not replying to the Deputy but other...

Northern Ireland Issues. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I will take the last question first. I have no difficulty with the proposals agreed in the last Dáil and we should get on and try to reach agreement. The only caveat I would add, which I have stated repeatedly, is the true meaning of parity of esteem must be taken into account and this facility must be open to all parties. That must be agreed by the House. The original report was agreed some...

Northern Ireland Issues. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Naturally that is what I would like to see in the negotiations. We can see an ending on all sides. There is a willingness in this regard but there are some people on the fringes — the loyalists recognise this — who do not have total control or even a means of exercising such control. Regardless of whether it is republicans, dissident republicans, loyalists or whoever is involved, we must...

Northern Ireland Issues. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: During my meeting with the Ulster research group we discussed the ongoing difficulties and the attacks on Nationalists. That issue is of ongoing concern. The group is forthcoming in its condemnation, particularly of pipe bomb attacks. It is not always possible for it to control all of these issues and there are disparate groups and individuals. However, the leadership of the group is opposed...