Results 121-140 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: ——of the reduction of activity in the building sector and its impact on society and the economy.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: As the Deputies in the Labour Party may recall, yesterday I referred to the first quarter. Deputy Gilmore asked me about the income figures for the first quarter and I replied the issue did not pertain to the taxes from employment, which have increased by 5%, but to the area of capital gains. This is because there is insufficient purchasing and development going on.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The difficulty lies in stimulating the industry. One cannot worry about construction employment on Tuesday and then try on Wednesday to trigger something that will affect construction employment.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Consistency in this regard might at least last for 24 hours. It was recommended that the provisions should not be commenced at this time——

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: ——and this recommendation has been accepted by the Government.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It must be emphasised that the matter is being kept under review to take into account changes in the property market.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Members should examine what is an independent report carried out on the basis of the entire industry and the situation as a whole.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is not by any means a survey of developers.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I will make a number of points. As I noted previously, it is incorrect that nothing has been done on this matter. The survey points out the full detail in this regard and there is no need for me to go into it. However, the Finance Act introduced these provisions and the Government stated it would consider the matter. My point to Deputy Gilmore is that since 1999, the Government has been...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I refer to what has happened in the market, in respect of stamp duty and the actions of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance regarding mortgage relief. We are giving them a break. While it is possible to introduce this measure, there would be a corresponding and immediate large increase in the price of a house. What is the point in achieving that?

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together. My Department had no spending on recruitment advertising during 2007 or 2006. The Deputy will be aware that recruitment to my Department is done through the Public Appointments Service.

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Reducing the level of printed matter is a key element of my Department's "Green Policy" . We continually review the possibility of reducing the amount of waste produced, as well as increasing the amount that can be disposed of through recycling. The reuse of envelopes internally, together with double sided printing and photocopying, have become standard practice throughout my Department....

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table below. Organisational Review ProgrammeI agreed last September to the appointment of the following three persons to the Steering Committee on the Organisational Review Programme (ORP): Mr. Denis Casey, Group Chief Executive, Irish Life and Permanent; Ms. Jan Mottram, HR Director, Vodafone Ireland; and Mr. John Quilliam, School of...

Written Answers — Energy Efficiency: Energy Efficiency (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: My Department relies on the Office of Public Works (OPW) for the provision of accommodation including maintenance and refurbishment which includes the provision of efficient heating and lighting in offices. This Department endeavours to operate heating and lighting systems in the most efficient manner. The OPW has an energy awareness programme underway in all large buildings, State Buildings,...

Written Answers — Statutory Instruments: Statutory Instruments (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Below is an outline of the current relevant statutory instruments falling within my Department's remit. The purpose of these instruments is to provide the necessary statutory basis for collection by the Central Statistics Office of statistical data that is required for EU purposes. S.I. No. S.I. Title S.I. No. 136 of 1993: European Communities (Intrastat) Regulations, 1993 S.I. No. 466...

Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: When I signed the reform treaty in Lisbon last December together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, it was in the full knowledge that it represented an essential part of the process of moving on for the European Union. The EU is moving on from a period of reflection and consultation and from a phase of talking about institutional reform to a phase where the Union can...

Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: This is a technical non-conversion matter relating to an issue already agreed by the Government following discussions between two Departments. The transfer of functions — obviously if one transfers the functions, one must transfer the associated funds — has been agreed with effect from 1 April. The transfer of funding is for €8.6 million in the published Estimates for the Departments...

Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: On the first question, we can be clear on the position. We are talking about the referendum date being 12 June, which is agreed by everybody at this stage. I thought last week that the House was due to meet on 6 May but it will not. I will tender my resignation to the President on that date. If we are to say anything in the House, it will be before that date, but that is a matter for the...

Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is the service regulatory Bill and it will be taken in this session.

Order of Business (8 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is the property services regulatory authority Bill.