Results 1,701-1,720 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is our intention to implement our tax policies but it will be a matter for the budget. On Deputy Gilmore's point about the disimprovement of €1 billion in taxes in 2007 and the implications for future resources and political choices——

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: ——as I have said previously, the economy is now forecast to grow at lower levels than envisaged at budget time. I will not give the budget today as that will be on 5 December.

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I said we would implement our tax policies but do not ask me to give details of the budget.

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: There is no point having a budget day if I am to give all the information beforehand. The economy is now forecast to grow at lower levels than envisaged.

Leaders' Questions (24 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: More of the growth, it is assumed, will come from the external sector. This means the growth in tax revenues will ease somewhat. That does not take away from our commitments and we intend to keep our budget in broad balance so that the general Government deficits remain close to balance in years ahead. We will, however, continue to implement our policies as we have resources to do so.

EU Summits. (24 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 17, inclusive, together. The Estimate for the Department of the Taoiseach includes a provision of €1.621 million for the ongoing work of the National Forum on Europe in 2007. The allocation for 2008 has not yet been finalised. Since its establishment, the National Forum on Europe has provided the basis for an inclusive and broadly-based debate on...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: My Department's Output Statement was completed and was circulated to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service on 4 April last. It has been publicly available in response to requests thereafter and it has now been published on the website in association with the Department of the Taoiseach Annual Report.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Last December, the Government approved the initiation of a major Review by the OECD of the Irish Public Service. The objectives of this Review are to benchmark the Public Service in Ireland against other comparable countries and secondly, to make recommendations as to future directions for Public Service reform. This required a holistic, system-wide assessment of the Public Service which...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In line with the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour, issued in accordance with Department of Finance circular 26/2004, benefits from this scheme may be retained by individual civil servants in recognition of the fact that official travel is disruptive to personal and family life. The use of frequent flyer schemes by Ministers in my Department is consistent with this policy.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: My Department has spent €156,700 on stationery in 2007 to date, of which €32,000 was spent on paper. Over 96% of paper purchased by my Department is recycled paper.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 7, motion re Establishment of Committees of 30th Dáil; No. 8, motion re Pre-budget Estimates for Public Services 2008; and No. a3, CriminalProcedure (Amendment) Bill 2007 — Orderfor Second Stage, Second and SubsequentStages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be...

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I accept that.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I have a short reply. For our part the Government Chief Whip will do his best to accommodate the Sinn Féin representatives. Generally, the Whips must try to do that. I cannot give assurances as it is a matter for the Whips. Certainly, they will endeavour to try to address the matter.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That legislation is due next year.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: As I have not seen the booklet, I do not know what is in it. I have not thought about the legislation either.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Chief Whip tells me it will be next year.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The draft general scheme of the nurses and midwives Bill, which will modernise the regulatory framework in that sector and update and amend the Nurses Act 1985, is at an advanced stage. The legislation is due in 2008.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: No legislation is promised. The judgment will be examined by the Department, as always.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I cannot answer the Deputy's question until the examination has been finished.

Order of Business (23 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: It is due next year.