Results 21,181-21,200 of 26,350 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: As I said earlier, I would have tabled amendments to this section if we had been given sufficient time but that is not the fault of the Minister of State. This section relates to the appointment of the chief executive. Section 22(2) states: "Subject to subsection (5), the chief executive shall be appointed by Sport Ireland with the approval of the Minister, and may, with the approval of the...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: To be fair, there has been no mention of a public advertisement for this in the Minister of State's response. He is in effect appointing the first chief executive who will be called "an interim chief executive", so that is his appointment. What is happening is something he did not want to happen last year. He is appointing the interim chief executive for the term of one year and I...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: The same salary but the person has not yet been appointed.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for his answer but what we have learned now is that the interim appointment has already been made.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Has the interim appointment not been made?

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Has it been approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform?

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Please do.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I was going to ask how much the salary was.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: We do not know how much the salary is. Is it greater than what is currently being paid? The Minister of State said that it reflects the enhanced role, which leads me to believe that this means an enhanced salary in Government-speak. The Seanad should know what the salary is. It is a public appointment that will be made by the Minister of State. Perhaps I did not put my question...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: Absolutely.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I am.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I agree with the Minister of State. They were created in the first instance.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: A job.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State. I agree it is a big job and it is a very important job. I do not expect someone to do the job for nothing. We want people in these roles with the expertise.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: No. Senator Brennan is his party's spokesperson in this area and I have a particular interest in the finance side. The problem is that the interim chief executive is a ministerial appointment and not by public interview. It is not open to anyone to make an application to take over the role of chief executive of Sport Ireland because it is in the gift of the Minister. While I appreciate...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: That is okay.

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister of State for that clarification. It is better that we know. It does not seem to be an excessive amount. The Minister of State said he could have appointed someone with a job for life. No one wants to see that in any of the roles, or certainly I do not want it. If somebody is performing his or her functions well, there should be a proper evaluation and that term can...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I have a question on the superannuation of staff who do not fall within the public service pension scheme. We all know we do not actually have a pension scheme as all pensions are paid out of current revenue. I would certainly like this to be changed. That aside, will the scheme that will be set up for staff who do not fall within the public service pension scheme operate on a defined...

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fair enough but I am talking about new entrants. I am not trying to be pedantic or difficult. What type of scheme will new entrants in Sport Ireland join? Will it be a defined benefit scheme or a defined contribution scheme? It is perfectly correct that staff transferring to the new body will keep what they have. Obviously, there will be new staff, such as a new chief executive....

Seanad: Sport Ireland Bill 2014: Committee Stage (29 Apr 2015)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for the clarification. New entrants to Sport Ireland will come under the gold-plated defined benefit scheme that is not applicable to people such as the Aer Lingus and airport pensioners about whom I have been talking and who have had their benefits cut by 50% or 60% by the Government. I am sure the latter will be very interested to know that new entrants to Sport...