Results 8,701-8,720 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: It is getting close to Christmas.

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: That will happen without me needing to do anything further. It is envisaged that the insolvency agency will produce an annual report, which will be laid before both Houses. It is open to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality to engage with the content of the report, to hear from the head of the insolvency agency if it wishes and to conduct any further hearing or inquiry it...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank the Deputies for their contributions. I propose to respond to amendments Nos. 133 and 138 together. Both amendments propose to reduce the indicative limit for the aggregate amount of secured debt that may be proposed in a personal insolvency arrangement from €3 million to €1 million. It is the preferred approach of the financial institutions so it is rather interesting...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The amendment would reduce the period of commencement of a review of the operation of a personal insolvency arrangement under the legislation from five years to one year. This would be the statutory requirement for a review. I have examined the issue of the length and scope of a review period and had hoped to be in a position to bring forward an amendment on the matter today. However, I...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The intention would be that the review period would commence after the legislation has been working for three full years. I accept what the Deputy says. We do not need a review period that takes, for example, a further 18 months. If there is a statutory review period, the insolvency agencies, personal insolvency practitioners, the money advice and budgeting service, MABS, free legal advice...

Topical Issue Debate: Courts Service (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: All the issues mentioned by the Deputy were raised by me some time ago in an official meeting with representatives of the Courts Service. It operates independently and makes independent decisions, but I am entitled to meet its representatives. It is not for me as the Minister to determine which courthouses should remain open, but those decisions will be made. I have emphasised that it is...

Topical Issue Debate: Courts Service (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: But everyone would be able to park happily.

Topical Issue Debate: Courts Service (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As the Deputy will be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of courts is the responsibility of the service and as Minister, I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which, of course, include the provision,...

Topical Issue Debate: Cyberbullying (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I would like to start by thanking the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. I am aware of the growing public concern, especially after a number of recent tragic cases to which the Deputy has referred. Let me, at the outset, express my heartfelt sympathy to the families involved who have been affected by events that we are aware of and which have featured in public discussion in...

Topical Issue Debate: Cyberbullying (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I assure the Deputy that we will give this matter the urgency it requires. However, I do not want to enact laws that do not address the problem and which, in the end, just appear decorative. It is important that where Internet service providers can identify and prevent online bullying, they should engage and take whatever action is required. It is also important to deal with this from the...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Veterans Associations (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The bottom line is that this country is faced with substantial constrictions on its resources. There is no point in my pretending otherwise. I am obliged to fight my battle in Cabinet to ensure we have sufficient funding to maintain all of the Defence Forces' capabilities and meet our financial obligations to former members of the Defence Forces in regard to pensions, which are very...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Veterans Associations (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am happy to hear the Deputy's proposals. In regard to some of the services to which he referred, including housing, social welfare supports and a range of health services, it is important to note that they are provided by other Departments and other agencies. They could not and never have been replicated by the Department of Defence. I assure the Deputy, however, that ONE will continue...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Veterans Associations (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: As I said, I greatly value the work done by ONE and similar organisations. I assure the Deputy that if I had some spare cash somewhere, I would happily provide additional supports. I cannot, however, make that type of commitment in the context of our overall expenditure position and the obligation on the State to spend €3.5 billion less in 2013 than we have spent in 2012. It is not...

Other Questions: Public Sector Pay (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: It was during Deputy O'Dea's time as Minister for Defence that the allowance was terminated and that the aforementioned conciliation process took place. This ensured that, from 2009 onwards, the allowance would not continue. There is now a legacy such that more than 700 members of the Defence Forces, a substantial number of whom are not engaged in Border duties, are in receipt of the...

Other Questions: Irish Red Cross (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Pursuant to the Red Cross Act of 1938, the Irish Red Cross Society was established by Government order in 1939 as an independent charitable body corporate with full power to manage and administer its own affairs through its governing body, its central council. At first, the 1939 order underwent piecemeal changes only but, following a turbulent period in the recent history of the Irish Red...

Other Questions: Irish Red Cross (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: On the last question, the society's constitution now provides that a member of the board of directors must stand down for one full three-year term once he or she has served on the board for two consecutive three-year terms. I am concerned in particular that some individuals were on the board repeatedly and that there was neither the opportunity for change or for others to become members of...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Veterans Associations (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 34 together. The Organisation of National Ex-Servicemen and Women, ONE, which has enjoyed the long-standing official recognition of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, is an organisation dedicated to looking after the welfare of ex-service personnel of the Irish Defence Forces by way of providing accommodation to homeless, elderly or...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I have met PDFORRA in the past. I attended a previous conference. The Minister of State attended the most recent conference. It is very valuable and important that he is engaged in this matter. With regard to the suggestion I do not listen to PDFORRA, the representative bodies are very important in the Defence Forces and they have been very constructively engaged in addressing a series of...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: -----or perhaps the need to ensure the media, who are absent from the Chamber today, take some notice of an issue relating to defence. I very much welcome Sinn Féin's support for our Defence Forces. I recognise its recognition that on this side of the island there is only one legitimate army, which can call itself Óglaigh na hÉireann; its recognition it should simply have a...

Other Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: -----in so far as either the Defence Forces or the Garda Síochána sought to engage and through investigative work and intelligence work curtailed the ambition of those who existed on this island who were committed to killing other people. Let us not rewrite history but let us also not dwell on history because-----