Results 1,101-1,120 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Office of Public Works is currently actively engaged in a strategy to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions and the State's dependency on fossil fuels. A major element of this strategy is an Energy Awareness Campaign by the Office of Public Works, which will be rolled out in 2008, in which my Department will be actively involved. During the summer of 2007, the Office of Public Works installed...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I acknowledge Deputy Gilmore's and the Labour Party's support for the reform treaty. As I said, the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and I will discuss these issues with the party leaders. Obviously, we want to develop a strategy which will have the treaty passed. To do that, we need the large number of people who support the Government and the other parties to support the treaty. On...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I imagine that the Foreign Affairs Ministers will discuss Russia in some form or other. Each EU Presidency would have a report back on their own summit with Russia. I am sure it will generate some discussion. It will probably take a week or so before a comprehensive report is given to the Foreign Affairs Council on that but I would be surprised if it is not discussed by the Foreign Affairs...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There are a number of points here. During the negotiations on 2016 we spent a long time coming to agreement on this issue. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, has been preparing legislation on the agency Bill, which we are anxious to bring forward. We also have the employment compliance Bill. We have employed additional inspectors and we are due to increase...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made clear our position on Brazilian beef and safety and veterinary standards. She also made clear in the Agriculture Council what she is trying to achieve. We must remember it is a collective position; we do not act unilaterally but in agreement. The Minister has set out our position and the Deputy would need to put down a question on...

EU Issues. (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Burton is correct in stating that I will be attending that summit meeting. Last summer I stated my views on the Zimbabwean regime when we were discussing the EU-African Summit. Some considerable time has been spent trying to arrange it. In fairness to the Portuguese Presidency, which is well positioned, it put a lot of effort into trying to make it happen over the past year and a...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am loath to get into questions I have to answer in the tribunal because it upsets the learned gentlemen. While I accept that I have a job in this House, it is unfair if I have to have a tribunal here and another outside.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will try to answer Deputy Kenny's questions briefly. I thanked Mr. O'Connor and I have no doubt whatever about that. I accepted the money as a loan from the individual who gave it to me. On the third question, I cannot be certain, but that is my recollection.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I answered that.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I said I will.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Ceann Comhairle——

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If Deputy Kenny wonders what I said a few years ago in the public domain, I answered about that extensively in the House two weeks later, back in 2006. I believe I have answered all the other questions as well. My position is as it was. It is my absolute belief that I thanked Padraic O'Connor in January 1994. I accepted the payment on a loan basis. As the Deputy knows, it was to pay the...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Please. Deputy Kenny has just tried to embarrass me into answering him, but I shall try to do it, anyway. I know Deputy Kenny's office continuously refers to €300,000, but the tribunal clarified the figure as £39,000, so why are we getting into that? I did not speak yesterday. Although it is not always easy, I do my best to show a civil attitude towards the media when they turn up....

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——-as regards it being a loan. The Deputy should not follow his script, when I did not reply with what he thought I would say. When I answer, he should not say I have no answer. Deputy Kenny asked me a straight question and——

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I accepted it on the basis that it was a loan from the individual who gave it to me. If I can make this——--

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not agree with Deputy Gilmore that it affects my credibility or authority, or that I am engulfed in anything. As I do most days, I spent recent days preparing and working with my colleagues on the annual budget which will be announced tomorrow. The answer to the question on time is that I did not time the press conference yesterday but perhaps six or seven minutes is the amount of time...

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I was not involved in any casino issue in 2007.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will not because, as far as I know, the casino issue has nothing to do with the tribunal. I was not asked about it at the tribunal. Deputy Gilmore raised that issue.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: He just did so, as he will see if he checks the record. Deputy Gilmore would be someone before the tribunal as he cannot remember what he stated two minutes ago.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As we spoke about Brian Dobson a few years ago, or a few minutes ago——