Results 1,501-1,520 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: On being answerable for agencies, I can never understand that question. I hear Deputies say they table questions and that they are ruled out because of procedures. People are worried that questions are not answered about the ESB, the HSE and so on. I am here every day answering all these questions. This morning I was responsible for 120,000 people in the HSE. Tomorrow it will be probably...

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am asked about everybody, including the NRA.

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I must examine the Standing Order some time but obviously it is written in such a way that excludes the Taoiseach because I answer questions about everything. Maybe all the other people get away with this.

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Only one.

Dáil Reform. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: RTE and all of the other networks are in a huge period of change in technology and that will have its own reform difficulties for them. Deputy Coveney spoke about a very simple technical proposition. What Deputy Higgins is saying may be right. I have never looked into it, but to do it separately would be incur a big cost factor. On the other points he made regarding the operation of our...

Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 7, Supplementary Estimate for Public Services — Vote 6, back from committee; No. 11a , statements regarding cancer services and the implementation of the HSE national cancer control programme; No. 12, Charities Bill 2007 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 1, Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad] Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding...

Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I would like to clarify that I am being asked that the debate would start following the Order of Business, run until 1.30 p.m., resume following Question Time until 6 p.m. and be followed by questions between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Order of Business. (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Agreed.

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I was not clear what Deputy Kenny stated. Yesterday, he stated there was a systems failure but I stated there was not a systems failure and I explained what the details were. I am not sure what distinction Deputy Kenny is drawing in that. As I understand it — I received a briefing on this — over the years radiologists were appointed. They had difficulty in the location recruiting...

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Triple assessment was not implemented.

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: They had difficulties getting——

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As I understand it, while they did appoint consultant radiologists, radiographers and staff, they had difficulties getting staff but they did not bring in triple assessment.

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I want to deal with the other point made by Deputy Kenny. I do not want to get into a blame game in this because a report is being prepared and the consultant will bring in all the facts. I understand that the original images diagnosed by the radiologist involved to determine the cases were used in the re-examination. The report will have to give its verdict on all that. Staff, equipment...

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny raised several points I will try to answer. On the first point, Ann O'Doherty, the consultant radiologist in St. Vincent's University Hospital, is producing an overall report. People's careers are involved so I do not want to say anything——

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——that concerns the individual staff concerned.

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny's question referred to cases in which women's lives might be at risk. That is precisely the point I explained yesterday in respect of why 13 units were closed down. Only two weeks ago, I was on the floor defending that position in response to questions put by the Deputy and others regarding why the units were closed. These units are considered to be less safe than they could...

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will answer the Deputy's questions and I will come to that issue because he does not understand it, unfortunately.

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We want to provide safe units for all women. Some 15,000 mammograms are done each year. Two consultants read mammograms in the medical world of this country, Northern Ireland, Britain and, I understand, elsewhere only where numbers are below 500. It is not the practice in the medical world that mammograms are read by two people except where there are very low numbers. That is the position...

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If the value of Leaders' Questions lies in dealing with current issues and misinformation that is what I am trying to do. In this case, the difficulty was that the cancer was not seen when the mammograms were read. Triple assessment only applies where it is read and then referred on. I hope that point is clear.

Leaders' Questions (7 Nov 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Triple assessment may be relevant to other issues and I have already stated it was not in place but in the case under discussion——