Results 33,921-33,940 of 34,942 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Public Sector Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 45: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his priorities in terms of protecting frontline services; the mechanisms he will put in place to ensure that key staff are retained in the provision of these services in view of the expected reduction in public service numbers in the months ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28655/11]

Public Sector Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Minister for his general response, but I wish to raise this issue because specific staff will be leaving. I am concerned about the health sector. Doctors are exempt, but nurses who take early retirement are not an exempt grade under the moratorium. Does the Department have a mechanism in place to ensure that, if an inordinate number of nurses decide to take early retirement,...

Public Sector Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: I am pleased the Minister has the flexibility under the Croke Park agreement, on which his party refused to have a view until we implemented it. When I speak about "early retirement packages" I use the phrase in general layman's language. People understand there is a benefit for going early. It might not be the technical name of the package but people understand it is better to go sooner...

Fiscal Policy (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: The Minister made no reference in his response to the matter I raised regarding his views on the recommendation made by the Central Bank of Ireland. It suggests that the opportunity exists now to consider a bigger budget adjustment to public expenditure than agreed with the EU-IMF.

Fiscal Policy (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: The Minister might give me his views on that. I know there may be scope, but I caution against making any cuts that are not needed. We have a good programme. There are always some people who are tempted to go harder, faster and deeper and that may be a positive outlook, but there are downsides. There is a limit to the pain people can take and the Minister should take heed of that.

Public Service Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: I am disappointed by the information presented by the Minister today. This Government has been in office for eight months, but the Cabinet sub-committee on public sector reform has met only once since its establishment in April. The Minister indicated - possibly prompted by this question - that another meeting will take place towards the end of the month. I do not accept that the Minister...

Public Service Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: I look forward to the Minister coming before the committee. It comprises more than 20 members and the meeting will take place in public.

Public Service Reform (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: Yes, it is an open forum. I also welcome the Minister's indication that this discussion will take place in advance of the budget. The deliberative process on this matter is not connected with the budget in December, because these issues are ongoing and not restricted to a particular budget. I look forward to the discussions.

Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome his indication that there has been a considerable degree of consultation with staff representatives, particularly in view of the initial reaction by the teacher unions when the proposal emerged. We all agree there must be a comprehensive single scheme for the public service, but has the Minister considered all the implications of a switch from...

Pension Provisions (11 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: Will the Minister confirm whether this pension scheme will apply to local authorities and other public sector bodies? He mentioned county managers earlier. There are enormous inconsistencies in the Croke Park deal in terms of rationalising technology and payroll processes. I would not like to see another PPARS situation arising out of all the differences at local level. Those differences...

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (6 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 148: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the position regarding the agri-environment options scheme application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois; when same will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28057/11]

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (Resumed) (5 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: -----is facing the same because they do not have a full-rank Minister at the Cabinet table with sole responsibility for the Department of Defence. This is coming home to roost now. I want to talk about the Minister with responsibility for this area. He was in the House last week talking about Garda stations. He said that Garda buildings did not matter. He is embarking on a programme to...

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (Resumed) (5 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: This Government is not committed to the Defence Forces, and it showed that on its first day in office by not appointing a Minister for Defence. Its members will rue the day and this will haunt them for the lifetime of this Government.

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (Resumed) (5 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. It was inevitable that we would have such a debate very early in the lifetime of the Government. After the false promises of the general election when the people were sold a pup, the parties negotiated the programme for Government. On the first day of new Dáil and the formation of the Government for the first time in the history of...

Closure of Army Barracks: Motion (Resumed) (5 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: That showed the priorities of the Government party leaders on the day the Government was formed. It showed what they thought of the Defence Forces. If anybody has any doubt about the barracks we have discussed, every other town, city and locality with military barracks-----

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: In view of the number of small subcontractors who are facing bankruptcy due to their participation in publicly funded contracts, when can we expect the Construction Contracts Bill to be brought before the Dáil?

Order of Business. (5 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: When?

Written Answers — Cabinet Sub-Committees: Cabinet Sub-Committees (4 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 79: To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet sub-committee on public sector reform was established; the frequency with which it has met since it was established. [26893/11]

Written Answers — Cabinet Sub-Committees: Cabinet Sub-Committees (4 Oct 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 80: To ask the Taoiseach the full list of members, including the chair, of the Cabinet sub-committee on public sector reform. [26894/11]

Written Answers — Public Sector Reform: Public Sector Reform (29 Sep 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 88: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the engagement he has had to date with other Departments on public sector reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26848/11]