Results 7,241-7,260 of 8,081 for speaker:Peter Burke

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (11 May 2017)

Peter Burke: It was not re-signed.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (11 May 2017)

Peter Burke: That is a totally different story. We need to be very careful here.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (11 May 2017)

Peter Burke: At the start of the meeting there was an implication that there was impropriety in the form of the Accounting Officer signing and backdating stuff. The issue of a person changing the face of a case to suit themselves was raised but we should withdraw that comment.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (11 May 2017)

Peter Burke: There was no requirement for her to re-sign.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (11 May 2017)

Peter Burke: I just think a bigger issue was made out of this than actually existed.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Staff (11 May 2017)

Peter Burke: 109. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a school (details supplied) in County Longford can replace a caretaker or secretary who is retiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22515/17]

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (10 May 2017)

Peter Burke: I welcome the fact the review process is under way and that the Minister is making a strong case for funding under this capital plan. The key is investing in infrastructure because when we do so it unlocks our potential. Since I was elected to the Dáil, my Fine Gael councillor colleagues in Longford have been on to me morning, noon and night stressing the importance of this issue. It...

Topical Issue Debate: Road Projects (10 May 2017)

Peter Burke: I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this very important issue for discussion in the Topical Issue debate. The upgrade of the N4 bypass to Roosky is very important to the Longford-Westmeath constituency. The road is currently operating at 120% above capacity, which is a significant problem for infrastructure in the area. It gives rise to a major safety issue in terms of traffic...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: I welcome the witnesses from Bord na gCon, including the acting chief executive officer. I thank Mr. Meaney for his opening statement. With regard to the management of the greyhound industry, it is clear the sector is at a crossroads. In the context of the current board, the committee must assess the results presented in the 2015 annual report and how the board has driven matters in respect...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: It was disappointing for an organisation that was getting €261,000 per week in taxpayers' money, although I know some of the contributions come from industry. To focus on page 39 of the annual report, is the €2.778 million in respect of the 57 staff who were taken on?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: Let me rephrase the question. Is that figure in respect of the 57 full-time equivalents?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: That would be a full-time equivalent cost of approximately €48,000.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: My big concern is in regard to the number of casual staff within the industry. To take the proposals in the departmental circular, whereby one has to disclose all salaries in excess of €60,000, a concern for me is that, in 2015, 11 board members of Bord na gCon received not far off €1.2 million. That is 11 members of staff. Is that sustainable in an industry which, from the...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: Irrespective of that, I think it very concerning that almost 10% of the Bord na gCon wage bill is potentially going to 11 people. I want to know if that increased in 2016 or 2017.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: The number of meetings and the amount of prize money are decreasing. We are selling our assets, as has been highlighted in the past 48 hours. To be fair, the defined benefit current service costs at note 8 in the annual report can be taken out because those are not full-time equivalents who are carrying out their duties at present. However, in 2015, €10.3 million was paid for 240...

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: Has there been any decrease in wage costs from this implementation?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: By any metric, the wages being paid do not look sustainable.

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: Is Mr. Murnane happy with the 11 board members getting €1.2 million?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: I am very concerned. If other areas are falling, we cannot make an industry sustainable if we are not leading by example. That is an important element, but it does not seem to be the case in this context. Why did the legal costs almost double?

Public Accounts Committee: Bord na gCon: Financial Statements 2015 (4 May 2017)

Peter Burke: There have been a number of media reports documenting how the board exercises its judgment in taking cases to court. Its record has been called into question. Would Mr. Murnane like to comment?