Results 14,101-14,120 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern
- Written Answers — Airport Security: Airport Security (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: There is no information in my Department on the matter raised by the Deputy; files from this period have been transferred to the National Archives, where they are available for public viewing.
- Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: Irish passport application forms are currently available at over 70 Post Offices in the North. In addition, many elected public officials also provide them at their constituency offices. It is the policy of the Government to ensure the widest availability of application forms to all sections of the community in Northern Ireland. The Passport Office is reviewing the situation and, in that...
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: Discussions have been ongoing. In fact, the Taoiseach was with the German Chancellor before Germany took on the Presidency. Since then there have been discussions at official level. I was due to meet the German Foreign Minister next week but that has been postponed mainly owing to problems with my diary. I will see him at the General Affairs and External Relations Council, GAERC, and hope...
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: My party is not a party of gestures but of delivery and, I think it is fair to say, even some of our most ardent critics would accept the Government has made great strides on eco-friendly policies.
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: This country has far exceeded EU recommendations on recycling levels. In the recent budget we introduced a new tax break of 50% on vehicle registration tax for electric cars, which builds on last year's initiative for hybrid cars. We have abolished excise duty for kerosene and liquified petroleum gas used in home heating and introduced an enhanced rural environment protection scheme. We...
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: Thankfully the Government introduced a significant grant scheme and I am delighted to inform the Deputy that well over 11,000 people have applied for that grant. The Government introduced it because we do not believe in gestures but rather in delivery regarding these issues. In the recent budget we introduced corporation tax relief for investment in renewable energy and it is being extended...
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: I have not given the quote yet so how does the Deputy know what I am going to say?
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: Does the Deputy know what it is because I cannot believe it?
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: I cannot believe it. Perhaps it is not the quote the Deputy is thinking of because his party comes out with such weird statements from time to time.
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: I frequently do not disagree with you but, unfortunately, some of your statements, like this one, are off the wall.
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: I am not sure if this quote is the same one that the Deputy is heckling me about. Perhaps he does not like to hear a response to it, but this is a direct quote from Mary White, deputy leader of the Green Party: "I would welcome the collapse of the Irish economy because it would mean the Irish Government could no longer afford to build roads".
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: Will that be in the Green Party's election literature?
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: Regarding Ministers' cars, a number of my colleagues have moved towards the hybrid car to show an example to others.
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: It is a gesture. I have moved from a large car to a small car, in my personal life, to show an example. There is no domestic bin collection from my house. I recycle everything. In my home town and in Drogheda in my constituency we have an excellent recycling facility, provided through Government funds on a public private partnership basis. The Deputy should have a look at it some day.
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: The Deputy did not acknowledge that it was funded by the Government. I have applied for and am awaiting a grant for a wood-burning stove, which is currently in my house. I have even taken advice on solar panels from the Deputy's deputy leader, who was a little equivocal on their long-term benefits, and I hope to receive a substantial grant from the Government to install one. The Green Party...
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: ââwhether the Deputy, like me, is implementing his own policies.
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: I cannot say off the top of my head how many other countries require a referendum. Two have already had them and they were obviously successful. There are no plans at present for us to have a referendum on this matter because the discussions at EU level are not finished. As I stated, I hope there will be progress under the German Presidency but the issue may become relevant to its...
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: The Deputy has local knowledge.
- European Council: Statements. (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been very active in this area and there is no doubt that it is significant from a European point of view given the high level of migration, particularly in the Mediterranean area. This is a significant issue and we are very strong supporters of the FRONTEX proposals in that respect. I have had discussions with some of my colleagues and...
- Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2007)
Dermot Ahern: I am providing the correct details. The Deputy is ill-informed.