Results 13,361-13,380 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Departmental Funding: Departmental Funding (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: While it would not be possible in the time allocated to check the files for earlier years, it is my understanding that the Department of Foreign Affairs has not provided any funding to the institution in question.

Written Answers — Emigrant Support Services: Emigrant Support Services (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Reaching out to and strengthening links with the Irish community in Britain and with those of Irish ancestry is a cornerstone of Government policy. The establishment and operation of the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs has greatly enhanced our capacity to develop and implement more responsive policies in this regard. Government funding to assist our community in...

Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: There are significant Kurdish minority populations in Turkey, Iraq and Iran, and a smaller population in parts of Syria. There are 15 million people of Kurdish ethnic origin living in Turkey, mostly in the south east of the country. The Government's concerns about the human rights situation in Turkey, including the situation of people of Kurdish origin, are raised on a regular basis in our...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I agree with the Deputy and he knows what I am getting at in that regard.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: That was always the way.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: It was always the way.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: It became necessary as a result of the inordinate increases——

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: ——in the level of the old age pension.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: A press conference should be for the press. If politicians want to engage with each other, they should come in here and do so.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I apologise to the Acting Chairman for intervening, but I find it very hard to contain myself when I hear Deputy Reilly accusing us of not wanting to give people medical cards.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: Deputy Reilly was the leader of an organisation which fought the Government decision tooth and nail to give medical cards for over 70 year olds.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: It is very hard to take. It is a scandal that in a five or six year period, the cost of the medical card system has gone from €300 million to €1.5 billion. The average payment to a GP on the medical card system is €220,000.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: If the Government had the opportunity to spend that money on the people who deserve it——

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy is looking after his vested interests now.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The Deputy should declare his vested interest.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The level of spending on the GMS has gone up dramatically.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I will not stand here and allow the Deputy to accuse this Government of not doing its level best for the people who deserve it most. When we decided to give medical cards to people over 70, the organisation formerly headed by the Deputy was against it.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: I am here to deliver this speech on behalf of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, who unfortunately is at the funeral of a colleague who died tragically. This year's budget was agreed within more challenging financial circumstances than those of recent years. The package of €900 million for social welfare measures clearly demonstrates the Government's commitment to protecting the...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: If we had a lot more money from the entire scheme, we might be able to divide it up better.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Dermot Ahern: The average payment to a GP on the medical card system is €220,000.