Results 1,401-1,420 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have just answered that. Did the Deputy hear what I said?

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On a point of order, I have given a comprehensive answer to the Deputy's acting leader. I am not entitled to do that under Standing Orders, but I asked the Ceann Comhairle if I could do so. I am only meant to answer questions on legislation during the Order of Business. I was trying to be helpful to Deputy Burton, but having given a comprehensive answer, a Labour Party Deputy ignored what...

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I understand it will be published shortly, during this session.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It has already been enacted.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy is correct. That Bill was in the Dáil, but it was dropped when the idea of an ESOP for An Post was dropped.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As I said to Deputy Ó Caoláin, legislation on HIQA, which is responsible for enforcing standards, has already been enacted. A health amendment Bill will be published next year.

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 10, inclusive, together. I led the Irish Government delegation to the British Irish Council summit on 16 July in Belfast. Prime Minister Brown led the British Government delegation. The BIC was chaired by First Minister Paisley and Deputy First Minister McGuinness. The Northern Ireland Executive was also represented by a number of Ministers. We were...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I thank the Deputy for her supportive remarks. I spoke to Margaret Ritchie last week. The Government, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs and me, has been supportive. While I did not issue a statement in the heat of the period, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, did so. He issued a very strong and forthright statement in support of her at a time when the issue...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I can only convey to Deputy Kenny the information I have been given and continue to be given by the Garda and the PSNI. The Garda has advised that there is no information available to suggest that the attack was authorised or carried out by or on behalf of any paramilitary grouping. That is also, I understand, the position of the Chief Constable of the PSNI. I cannot say what some of these...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny asked about the SDLP, the UUP and the Northern Ireland Executive. In only six months extraordinary progress has been made. In recent weeks the first budget was completed, setting out a financial framework for next year and for the future. The programme for Govenrment has also been completed. I met Ms Richie this day last week when she was here for a meeting with colleagues....

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On the North-South elements of the national development plan, our new plan covers the period to 2013. It sets out a comprehensive overview of the all-island co-operation and the proposals for enhancing co-operation in a range of areas — transport, education, research and development and health. These include joint investment in strategic projects that will be of mutual benefit to both...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I agree. Already, there has been a number of meetings on this issue and the Minister, Deputy Ó Cuív, has made a number of statements on it. The Government's position, which we have maintained throughout the talks process, is that parity of esteem is essential and all of these cultural, heritage and equality issues are of fundamental importance. We have never changed that position...

Northern Ireland Issues. (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: To return to the issue of Minister Margaret Ritchie and the suggestion that there was some pressure from her, I cannot account for every conversation that took place with officials, but it did create some heated debates within the Assembly. Minister Robinson responded to the effect that the decision was in breach of the ministerial code and that Minister Ritchie did not have the legal...

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 10a, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 11, motion re orders of reference of committee; No. 11a, motion re establishment of Joint Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security; No. 11b, motion re establishment of Joint Administration Committee; No. 11c, motion re appointment of members to committees; No. 11d, motion re referral to joint...

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Perhaps the Deputy does not understand the proposal. The proposal is that it will go to committee and come back here on 5 December. That is precisely what will happen.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I agree with Deputy Stagg. We go to great lengths to avoid as many guillotines as we possibly can, but I cannot understand what we would discuss about this Bill until 6 o'clock.

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It relates to the transfer of responsibility for non-national roads and the national vehicle and driver file to the Department of Transport. The only reason——

Order of Business (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The reason is that advice from the Attorney General's office on the transfer indicated that this provision would normally be done by an order. It would not usually come before the House. However, due to recent cases, the Attorney General has stated that certain provisions relevant to the transfer of functions cannot be included in a transfer order and that we need primary legislation. We...

Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny continues in his attempt to attack the health service.

Leaders' Questions (14 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer the question.