Results 421-440 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Legislative Programme. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I have previously given a detailed account of the number of parliamentary draftspeople. There are issues relating to the main Bills of the year, such as the finance and social welfare Bills, and other key Bills like referendum and immigration Bills. Such legislation ties up parliamentary draftspeople for a considerable number of months each year. When such Bills are given priority, other...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. A total of 817 files or file parts were transferred to the National Archives to be released for public inspection on 1 January 2008 — and 12 files were withheld. Of the 12 files withheld, one was withheld under section 8(4)(a) of the Act, seven were withheld under section (8)(4)(b) and (c), two were withheld under section...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I agree that the staff of the National Archives of Ireland do excellent work in the facilities available and in the given circumstances. Over the past 20 years, the volume of files being sent to the archives by Departments and agencies has increased substantially, and this obviously results in pressure. I would have to get the up-to-date position but I know the Office of Public Works was...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: On the first question, a visit from the Queen of England to this country has been a matter of some debate for some time. Obviously, until the institutions were back up and running in Northern Ireland it was not a matter that had moved on any further than an aspiration that it would happen. It was hoped that, with the devolution of policing, the remaining issues outstanding from both the...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It relates to Head of State and it would be probably from Áras an Uachtaráin with the agreement of the Government. As I stated, it has been on the agenda for some years, albeit on a low level. It is something to which we should turn our mind, although it is unclear whether it can happen in the very short term. As Deputy Kenny will appreciate, a visit like that in its normal planning...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: On the question of whether there has been any Government discussion on a visit by the Queen, the answer is "No". It has not got to that stage. There has been no movement and it is unlikely to happen until the devolution of policing is completed. There has been no discussion on the matter over the years. Discussion has mainly been at local, official or embassy level and has not moved from...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: We have a 30-year rule. Obviously, the period since 1969 would have seen a flow of information that was not there previously or since. We are already coming out of that period from 1969-1971. More files were released this year. Of the 65 files, 48 were released without any abstractions so we are coming to a period where there are not many abstractions and no files are being held back in...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: We have no involvement. Officials make that determination based on the legislation. From what I have been told in respect of these matters, information at the time would have been given by community and church leaders and other individuals who would name people with no level of proof or examination of proof. It is the same as what happened in respect of the various reports we received from...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The evaluation of files for release is done under the 1986 Act but is carried out by designated officials in my Department. Neither my Ministers nor I have any role in that process. It is done under the legislation. As files are processed for release each year it is normal practice that some are certified by the appropriate official for attention on the grounds set out in the Act but this...

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The files from the other Departments would not end up in my Department.

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: No.

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Yes.

National Archives. (4 Mar 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I do not think I have ever invoked section 8(11) of the Act. I will check whether I have and I will inform the Deputy.

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (27 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: These are political agreements that I have entered into as Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual independent Deputies. These agreements are confidential but they are, as always, based on the Programme for Government which incorporates the National Development Plan, approved Government Programmes and Annual Estimates for capital and current expenditure. As the Deputy will be...

Written Answers — Social Partnership: Social Partnership (26 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The Programme for Government commits that "arrangements for representation of environmental issues in Social Partnership will be considered in the course of the review of Towards 2016 which will take place in 2008". Any change to the structure of Social Partnership must be carefully considered and the Government has previously identified clear and specific criteria against which applications...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (26 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Taxi companies used by this Department and State Agencies under the aegis have a minimum percentage of taxis which are accessible for people with disabilities and wheelchair users. I set out below a schedule which contains details of the amount expended by the Department and by agencies under the aegis of the Department on taxi hire from 2003 to end January 2008. Department of the...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the following table:Freedom of Information Applications Received in the Department of the Taoiseach. Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Total 1998 7 14 2 13 3 10 8 21 4 82 1999 18 9 57 2 9 7 20 13 11 16 32 13 207 2000 23 19 22 13 12 11 15 21 8 9 25 11 190 2001 37 25 31 33 22 19 31 18 12 12 24 12 276 2002 20 12...

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: We will allow extra time for it.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: A foreshore (amendment) Bill is listed, the purpose of which is to update the provisions of all the Acts from 1933 to date, but I do not have a date for its publication and I understand the heads of it have not been drafted. Its publication will be some way off.

Order of Business (20 Feb 2008)

Bertie Ahern: As Deputy Burton said, it is not possible to indicate a date for its publication, but I will make the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform aware of the views of Deputies Flanagan and Burton.