Results 1,901-1,920 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If Deputies had been around in early August they would have known that to have been the case. The position in law is that it is not possible for Government to intervene directly to restore the Shannon-Heathrow service and it is not open to the Government to reverse the Aer Lingus decision. That is the position.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: That is the legal position. It is the law that shareholders cannot overturn management decisions. It is no good having a debate about what is legally and factually incorrect. Deputy Kenny has asked his questions and he does not need help from other Members. Clearly there are negative impacts arising from a loss of connectivity. Deputy Kenny asked how this coincides with regional...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Aer Lingus is launching new services to Washington, Orlando and San Francisco.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Yes, from Shannon. Experience suggests that 50% of North American visitors can be expected to include a trip to the mid-west region. Other initiatives can be taken. Deputy Kenny is right that this has created concerns for the business and tourism communities, however we have met all the interested parties and we are acutely concerned about them. We are trying our best, if it is possible...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will respond to the Deputy's three questions. The interests of the business organisations relate to connectivity from London to other destinations. It is not about getting to London as there are flights to Luton, Gatwick and Stansted. Ryanair has announced its intention of increasing its daily flight numbers so there are seven flights per day from Shannon to London and the——

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I am answering the question. The business groups are not arguing about Heathrow, it is the issue of connectivity. Clearly we would prefer a direct flight from Shannon to Heathrow. In response to the Deputy's question on how we plan to do that, we are assisting the Shannon Airport Authority in a range of discussions, but no company is involved. I do not want to create a grey area on...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: In terms of industrial relations, obviously the Government takes a keen interest in any major company with industrial relations difficulties. I have urged both sides to co-operate with each other as it is in their own strategic interests, and their own jobs. The Labour Relations Commission stated this morning that it is available to help, and whether it is necessary to bring in another...

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Gilmore should remember from his past that industrial relations difficulties are not solved in Leinster House.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: The Labour Relations Commission is available to all sides in the dispute, who are quite capable themselves of dealing with the issues. They know they must resolve the dispute and should deal with the situation. Deputy Gilmore should also know that the directors of a company will always listen to their senior management.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: If the senior management is of the view that the executive is doing the right thing and that it will not agree to put commercial obligations on it which it does not believe is right, the board will go along with that.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: A board supports the decisions of management. That is how a board works. It is not for management to make decisions on a daily basis only to have the board overturn those decisions.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Fine Gael had time to speak. They should give the Labour Party a chance.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: A board supports management decisions. It does not overturn them. The board of Aer Lingus agrees there were difficulties with the commercial realities of the decision. I have said many times that the loss of the Shannon-Heathrow service is disappointing and that the counties in the wider mid-west region, and along the western seaboard in particular, have difficulties with the decision....

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: We will continue to do all we can to find a way. I am sorry Deputy Gilmore takes the view that because an agreement is not signed and delivered we do not have something on the table today.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Gilmore asked the question. If the Opposition continues in this way I will simply tell my greater numbers to interrupt Opposition Leaders every time they speak. I tell them to do the opposite.

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Does Deputy Gilmore want an answer?

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will ask my colleagues not to interrupt. However, if Opposition Deputies do not want to listen——

Leaders' Questions (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I will conclude. The Opposition do not want to listen to my answers because Deputy Gilmore's party would like the Government to give up and do nothing to help Shannon. On this side of the House we have always helped Shannon. We have always helped the mid-west and we will continue to do so.

Appointments to State Boards. (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Question Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputies concerning appointments made by me to State boards and agencies under the aegis of my Department since June 2002 is set out in the following schedule. The relevant bodies are the National Statistics Board, the Law Reform Commission, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, the...

Appointments to State Boards. (10 Oct 2007)

Bertie Ahern: Mr. Burke, as a member and chairman of the board for many years, has carried out a hugely successful reform of the port company and is recognised as having done so across all political persuasions. His appointment is made on the basis of the knowledge, expertise and experience he brings to the job. These are the qualities a person should bring to a board. There are many Fine Gael and...