Results 141-160 of 1,279 for speaker:Michael Ahern

Seanad: Community Colleges (17 Apr 2008)

Michael Ahern: I am sure Deputy O'Rourke will announce it.

Seanad: Kidnapping and Detention of Ms Ingrid Betancourt: Motion (10 Apr 2008)

Michael Ahern: This is an opportune moment to consider the plight of all those held hostage in Colombia, including Ms Ingrid Betancourt. In unanimously adopting its motion on 20 December 2007, the Seanad has already expressed its outrage at the detention of Ms Betancourt. The Government and Irish people share these sentiments. We were appalled by the written and photographic evidence recovered last year...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (10 Apr 2008)

Michael Ahern: Very cross.

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (9 Apr 2008)

Michael Ahern: As many of us who knew him were aware, Gene Fitzgerald was not a quiet, retiring man. He had forceful views and was not afraid to express them. At the same time, he was respected and liked by everybody with whom he dealt. He attained high office, both here and in Europe. One of the reasons he obtained such great election results was that he always remained a man of the people and never...

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

Michael Ahern: I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this important issue. Europe, including Ireland, cannot stand still, nor can we act alone. The world is becoming ever more interconnected and we need to exploit that interconnectedness to address new and emerging challenges, including globalisation, demographic shifts, climate change, the need for new sustainable energy sources and labour...

Written Answers — Ministerial Regulations: Ministerial Regulations (3 Apr 2008)

Michael Ahern: The "Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) Act, 2007" was enacted in December 2007 with the objective, inter alia, of facilitating the introduction of a Public Lending remuneration scheme. During the passage of the legislation in the Houses of the Oireachtas, it was pointed out that responsibility for the introduction of an operational lending scheme resides with my colleague, the...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: On behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Mary Hanafin, I am glad to be given the opportunity to outline the position on the schools building and modernisation programme. This year, more than €586 million is being provided by the Government for school buildings. This will allow significant progress to be made on new schools, extensions and refurbishments...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I spent 26 years dealing with problems in school and other areas and believe the Senators comments are hyperbole in the extreme.

Seanad: Health Services (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: Inflation is going down.

Seanad: Health Services (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I will be taking this Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. Senator Kelly does not want to hear it but the facts are that the provision of services at Nenagh General Hospital and across the mid-west region in general is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. The Government is committed to providing a high-quality...

Seanad: Health Services (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I will raise that matter with the Minister. In respect of the Senator's comment about not maintaining the hospital, a few years ago, I listened to the debate on Nenagh General Hospital and arguments that it was to be downgraded. When one sees the extra staffing and funding for the hospital, one can see that the Government intends to ensure the hospital continues and provides a better...

Seanad: Health Services (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I will take the matter up with the Minister.

Seanad: Home Births (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I will be responding on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. The Minister supports choice for women in childbirth. However, the option of domiciliary births must be provided in a safe and secure manner. A national implementation committee on domiciliary births has been set up by the HSE to implement...

Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: It could be the Deputy. He should buy a lotto ticket.

Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: That would be a change.

Seanad: Air Accident Investigations (12 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senator Walsh for raising this matter on the Adjournment. As the 40th anniversary of the crash approaches, on my own behalf and that of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, I want to offer sympathy to the families of the victims of this tragedy and to the colleagues of the Aer Lingus crew. Many of the bereaved families come from my area and I know them personally. It...

Seanad: Voluntary Housing Scheme (12 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I thank Senator Keaveney for raising this issue which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe. I am pleased to have the opportunity to place on the record of the House my appreciation of the good work being done by the voluntary housing sector in Ireland. The provision of...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (12 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: There were never so many Bills as there were last year.

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (12 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: I oppose the Second Stage reading of the Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (No. 2) Bill 2008. However, I can advise the House that the subject matter of this Private Members' Bill is to be considered with the social partners in the course of the forthcoming pay talks. A number of significant matters require to be considered with the social partners and the Bill before the House is...

Seanad: Protection of Employees (Agency Workers) (12 Mar 2008)

Michael Ahern: We will.