Results 1,381-1,400 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The first answer which I have given is short. There is private sector involvement with the four councils in Dublin. The incinerator project received An Bord Pleanála approval and must go through the EPA process and meet whatever other standards with which it must comply. If it complies with them, it can go ahead.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I also replied to the second question. The Minister, Deputy Gormley, has indicated the overall capacity required nationally for incineration or thermal treatment. If we increase recycling and MBT capacity, we can reduce the residual fraction of waste to 400,000 tonnes in the next seven years. That is what the Minister and his Department will endeavour to achieve.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputy knows, this decision has been awaited for a considerable time. The incinerator is provided for in the Dublin regional waste management plan.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: This plan is the statutory responsibility of the relevant local authorities, led by Dublin City Council. While the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has certain powers under the Act in regard to the plan, they are limited. He does not have powers that could halt the Poolbeg incinerator project.

Leaders' Questions (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Minister has powers to promote waste management policies. This is becoming a recycling society; we are moving away from a throwaway culture. Recycling rates are increasing rapidly. We are using modern, environmentally safe methods for the final disposal of non-recyclable material. The Minister is driving this policy forward. There is concerted enforcement to tackle illegal waste...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 3, Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; Private Members' business shall be No. 16, motion re national educational psychological service.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the first matter raised by the Deputy, there are nine Bills in committees and we are committed to publishing 17 Bills this session. Admittedly, at the moment a number of those Bills are caught up in committee so it will take a week or so before there is further legislation. A number of Bills are coming through, however. There is no intention that the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill applies to...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The force commander, Lieutenant-General Nash, is not yet satisfied because at least two, or maybe more, logistical issues have to be resolved. The Government is obviously giving its approval but subject to when the force commander is satisfied. It is a great honour that he is an Irish man, but that is neither here nor there in this instance. It is his call and at the moment there are a few...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The electoral Bill is due before the House next year.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Tribunals of Inquiry Bill 2005 is based on the work of the Law Reform Commission and that has not changed.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: With regard to the rules of the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, the Green Party has discussed the matter and its members are quite entitled to follow their long-standing practice to help fund the party through donating a portion of their salaries on an annual basis. Under SIPO's rules, they can do that.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy should table a parliamentary question to the line Minister regarding the Green Paper. The electoral Bill will be taken next year. The entire reform of the local government system in line with the programme for Government would only delay the revision of constituencies. Last week Members stated this should not be delayed unduly. I have stated it could take a number of months,...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If the Whips would like to discuss this, I have no problem with that. I am sure they can get some time.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No, perhaps the Deputy should table a question to the line Minister.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will have the first matter investigated and see what was agreed in the report. The George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill is to increase the contribution. It has been judged necessary to have primary legislation. In many such issues, like the item we just voted on, because of recent court cases the legal position is that we need primary legislation. The old system...

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not agree, but I am not the courts.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I do not see that an order listed here for 21 days is any better than having primary legislation which takes time and is far more costly.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Law Reform Commission published a consultation paper on multi-unit developments last December and it drew attention to a broad range of issues relating to the governance and operation of such developments. The issues include the manner in which company law currently applies to property management companies. That paper was very comprehensive and it makes it clear that the action to...

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The property services regulatory authority Bill was to provide for the establishment of a property services regulatory authority to give effect to the report of the auctioneering estate agency review group. I have tried to go far further than that and see if we can deal with property management companies in a comprehensive way.