Results 161-180 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked me one question in his contribution: whether I said yesterday that I did not see the logic of the stoppage. I said this. Yesterday's dispute was about the fact that an independent chairman had not been appointed. That is what I passed comment on and that is what the dispute was about. All the other issues the Deputy raised are interesting and I hope they are debated in due...

Leaders' Questions. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: As with most Members, I would be genuinely concerned about the conditions and future of workers in Dublin Bus and other parts of the transport sector. It is for this reason that we should be honest with them and inform them that, for a number of years, the legal view has been that the 1932 Act will be struck down sooner or later — as has happened in other areas — and will open up the...

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Order of Business today will be No. 30, the Finance Bill 2004, allocation of time motion for select committee; No. 13a, motion re the ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; and No. 6, the Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licence) Bill 2004, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m....

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It is the conclusion of Second Stage.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I accept that we should try to avoid guillotining any Stage, where possible. However, the Second Stage of the Bill is today, but Committee Stage will be taken next week and Report Stage the following week. The Bill must be enacted before 24 March, so it will be taken in three stages. It is necessary to allow adequate time for Committee Stage next week.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Bill has already started its passage through the House. There is a difference between the number of people identified in the survey as working as whole-time equivalents. In the report to which Deputy Kenny refers, it is stated that, if one works for over an hour in any capacity, one is classed as a full-time employee. That is not the way to count the public service. There is an enormous...

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The Deputy asked me several questions, but the first concerned whether we were going to introduce legislation. The answer is "Yes". The reason does not concern our changing our minds or position, or any advice that we may have received. The right to vote is one of the fundamental rights of our democracy, and because people raised several related issues, I said last week that we would listen...

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: If the Deputy asks me a question, he should let me answer it, for God's sake.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I did say that. There is no constitutional or legal position that says that one has to change the law. However, because the right to vote is fundamental and people, both inside and outside the House, have stated that on this issue we should be careful, "treble careful", as it was put in one newspaper, when making any changes, we have listened. We have examined what we can do to bring...

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I did not think it was necessary, but perhaps it is, to repeat that the system has been examined many times, both internationally and locally. A number of issues have been raised in the current debate, of which tally information is one, and we will provide for——

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The questions of an independent group handling the process and of accidental or non-accidental spoiling of votes were raised. The issues regarding the count and the ability of the system to deal with it have not——

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I read the newspaper coverage of this over the weekend and the system has been looked at by about five international groupings. To say it has not——

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The system has not been found to be flawed in any way. We will bring forward the legislation quickly. We believe, and all the advice we have had from those involved is, that while these measures are not necessary, it is better to proceed with them and give credibility to the system, and we will do that very quickly.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The heads of the charities regulation Bill are expected before the end of 2004 and the dormant accounts (amendment) Bill, about which I spoke earlier, is expected this year.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I understand the Minister for Social and Family Affairs is re-examining the Bill and it is not ready to be introduced.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: That is what I said — she is reviewing the legislation.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: Aspects of the legislation will have to be legislated for at any rate so it will have to be done in some other way if the Minister does not bring forward the Bill.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: I have answered questions on one of the Bills on two occasions. The Bill listed under the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the second Bill about which the Deputy asked, is to enable dormant funds in the courts to be applied for other purposes. It is intended to incorporate this into the civil liability and courts Bill.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: The legislation will be brought forward as a matter of urgency.

Order of Business. (17 Feb 2004)

Bertie Ahern: It will come before the Government next Tuesday when I hope it will be cleared.