Results 10,381-10,400 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Northern Ireland Issues. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: In regard to Deputy Rabbitte's question on Judge Cory's reports, we would welcome the publication at the earliest opportunity of Judge Cory's reports in the cases of Pat Finucane, Rosemary Nelson, Robert Hamill and Billy Wright. I expressed the view strongly to Prime Minister Blair that they should be published as a matter of urgency and that the delay in publication is having a detrimental...

Northern Ireland Issues. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 31, inclusive, and No. 172 together. I take this opportunity to pay tribute to the extraordinary contribution of John Hume to political life on this island and, on his announcement that he will not seek his party's nomination for the European Parliament elections on this occasion, in particular his contribution on the European stage. Throughout his...

Northern Ireland Issues. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Various comments have been made about the DUP proposals. They are interesting and constructive. They certainly differ from what the party has said over the years. What must be focused upon above all is that any proposal that is not inclusive and does not allow for power sharing and total participation by all sides will not work. These are strand one proposals which open up the debate. A...

Northern Ireland Issues. (10 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Two major issues are involved, as regards the first question. I will repeat what I said earlier. As we get into the discussions the litmus test must be whether any proposals meet the test of partnership, where there is cross-community consent, support for people working together in a devolved executive and in an Assembly. That is the crucial issue in all of the statements. The proposals being...

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I will comment on just two points. The Minister, Deputy McDowell, made it clear that he sought to change his rota last week but it was not possible to do so.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: He did not do other than report the figures as they should have been reported. It was done properly and correctly. He did not seek to give misleading information. The Minister had to attend an important meeting which made it impossible for him to be here. We have had many debates and suggestions in this House on the matter of Dáil reform. Some years ago when Deputy Brennan presented a...

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I still await meaningful discussion. The Government, through the Government Whip, would be glad to involve itself in real reform.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 14, European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill 2003 — Second Stage (resumed) and No. 14a, statements on the Third Interim Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse, to be taken on the adjournment of Private Members' Business. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than...

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Government tries its best to avoid guillotining legislation, but at times Bills become urgent for different reasons. At present, there are a few Bills which have deadlines for being moved forward procedurally.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is not always possible to have them ready in advance; one must wait for certain developments. Some of the issues arise from court decisions and new legislation must be introduced.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill, which is before the House, arises from the report of the independent Laffan commission. Everybody knows the result of the commission report. As far as I can recall, we have never amended a commission report. We can discuss it if we wish, but it will not change it.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: This work was given to the independent commission precisely because of the view that politicians should not do it. We can discuss it. We can say Clare should be in Leinster and discuss it all night but Clare——

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The commission's report has decided that Clare is in Connacht. We can discuss it and it should be an interesting discussion, but when the Bill is passed Clare will still be where it is.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: If Deputy Rabbitte or anybody else wants another hour to discuss the commission report, we should be honest about it. We may say with great solemnity that this denigrates Parliament, but Parliament gave the power to the independent commission to decide on this issue, which it has done. I do not know why we discuss it because, whether it is an hour later or earlier, it is agreed.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The commission has reported. The matter is at an end.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is over. What is Deputy Kenny asking? Does he seek another hour on the European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill before we move on to No. 14a?

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: There is a deadline on the completion of the Bill.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The European election. The deadline is some day in February.

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is not necessary today, but we have it ordered for today. If Deputies want more time to discuss something that is a fait accompli, how much more time is required?

Order Of Business. (3 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: We cannot.