Results 1-20 of 10,459 for speaker:Bertie Ahern

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (4 Feb 2009)

Bertie Ahern: I wish to be associated with the many fine tributes that have been paid here this morning to our late colleague, Tony Gregory. For almost 30 years, Tony and I have been shadowing each other at residents' meetings, public meetings and events of all kinds in our shared constituency of Dublin Central. We must have attended thousands of such meetings together and throughout that entire period...

Resignation of Taoiseach (7 May 2008)

Bertie Ahern: A Cheann Comhairle, tá orm a chur in iúl duit gur éirigh mé as oifig mar Thaoiseach inné trína chur sin in iúl don Uachtarán de bhun an Bhunreachta. Yesterday, I resigned from the office of Taoiseach by placing my resignation in the hands of the President, pursuant to the Constitution.

Nomination of Taoiseach (7 May 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Tairgim: Go n-ainmneoidh Dáil Éireann an Teachta Brian Ó Comhain le bheith ceaptha ag an Uachtarán mar Thaoiseach. I move: That Dáil Éireann nominate Deputy Brian Cowen for appointment by the President to be Taoiseach. Deputy Brian Cowen is immensely well qualified to undertake the duties of the office of Taoiseach. First elected to Dáil Éireann in 1984, he has been re-elected in...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (29 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I met with the President of the European Commission, Mr. José Manuel Barroso in Dublin on 17 April as part of a two day visit by the President to Ireland. Our discussions focused on a number of issues on the European Agenda including preparations for the referendum on the Reform Treaty. I also sought and received confirmation from the President that the Reform Treaty would copper-fasten...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (29 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: My Department applies best practice and uses industry standard security protection devices, procedures and software to protect its computer systems from security breaches. A number of measures are currently in place in my Department to protect its computer systems. My Department regularly reviews and updates these security procedures as a matter of course. My Department also evaluates and...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The number of new persons transferred from my Department under the decentralisation programme since 1 January, 2008 is two. The number of persons transferred from my Department to date under this programme is sixteen.

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (29 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I outline in the following table the list of meetings I have had with Heads of State, Government Ministers and other representatives of Governments from non-OECD countries over the past 3 years. 2005 Meeting 18th January — Beijing Courtesy Call on President Hu and meetings with Premier Wen, and Minister of Commerce, Bo. 21st January — Hong Kong Meeting with Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, Chief...

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement and Lisbon Treaty: Statements (24 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Táim buíoch daoibh as ucht an deis seo labhairt libh inniu. Tugann sé seans dom a rá arís go bhfuil meas fé leith agam ar an dTeach seo. My respect for this House and its Members derives from my long experience in dealing with the Houses while in public office and the contribution which is made by the Members of the Seanad by virtue of their diverse experiences, skills and talents....

Seanad: Good Friday Agreement and Lisbon Treaty: Statements (24 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: ——is an appropriate occasion on which to reflect on the importance of the democratic process, of confidence in representative structures and of the need for legitimate and respected fora in which grievances can be aired, contrasting policies debated and proper direction be given to the apparatus of the State. Ultimately, that can happen and succeed only through the will of the people and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: There is a decrease of €600,000 (2.7%) in the Administration Budget allocation for my Department in 2008, which has been achieved through the implementation of a range of efficiency measures including the increased use of shared services and better procurement practices. It is my Department's policy to ensure that all expenditure under the Department's vote is within the total allocation...

Tributes to the Taoiseach (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I served in a very good Government with two of Deputy Gilmore's predecessors, former Deputy Dick Spring and Deputy Quinn. Deputy Quinn and I have been battling against and following each other across various Departments for almost 34 years. It has been a long road but I wish you well, Ruairí. I hold another predecessor, Deputy Rabbitte, in very high regard. I thank Pat, who shadowed me...

Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It is proposed to take No. 22, Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m. Private Members' business shall be No. 38, motion re neurology and clinical neurophysiology services...

Order of Business (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The pharmacy Bill is being drafted. The work of the Dorgan group's committee is continuing and that is where the important emphasis must be. I hope everyone can co-operate with that.

Tributes to the Taoiseach (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: I thank Deputies for their kind words and their courtesy not just today, but in the past few weeks. I would be grateful if the House might indulge me in a few words and the short acknowledgements I wish to make. I will not make a long speech on policy or any of the events I have been involved with. I will just say a few words of thanks. I am proud to have been elected Taoiseach by this...

Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: When I took over as Taoiseach ten projects per year were dealt with under the schools building programme, on average, and that was the contribution to capital projects. We now spend €4.5 billion under the national development plan investing in school buildings, refurbishing existing schools and providing new ones in developing areas. We have done this every year for the past seven or...

Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Regarding Leopardstown Park Hospital, there is capital funding in this area and I have raised the issue that the Deputy brought up. This is not the only matter on the list admittedly — there are a number hospitals in the programme — but a few hundred million euro per year is being put into the development of such hospitals. The Deputy mentioned waiting lists and other areas. The other...

Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: There is a new hospital in Cork with a new accident and emergency department. The Deputy should try to assist in dealing with staffing levels there because the matter would be simplified if excessively high staff levels were not sought.

Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: Deputy Kenny will recall that some of his predecessors — admittedly not him at the time — and Members from my side pressed for the establishment of a unified health system. When the health strategy went through the House in 2001, there was unanimous agreement that the old health board system set up in the early 1970s under the Health Act was not adequate to deal with the diverse demands...

Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: It was believed a unified system was the right way to proceed. Incidentally, several other countries in Europe are introducing unified systems of health care. Deputy Kenny asked if there are difficulties with modernising, integrating and introducing standard practices to an old system that has been there in one form or another since the foundation of the State. It is a mammoth task. Deputy...

Leaders' Questions (23 Apr 2008)

Bertie Ahern: The reality is that people in the past ten years are living four years longer because we have a good health service.