Results 20,041-20,060 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: -----among people who are delivering services. We need proper oversight of them and proper mechanisms to ensure that any wrongdoing is outed. That is why we have, for example, enacted the Protected Disclosures Act to give real protection to whistleblowers who see wrongdoing without putting themselves on the hazard. However, we need to do much more.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: I am informed that the Seanad electoral (university Members) (amendment) Bill will be next year as will the industrial relations (collective bargaining) Bill.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: In respect of the first matter on Aras Attracta and the comments made this morning by the Ombudsman, to whom I listened, the Oireachtas enacted new strong powers for the Ombudsman in the Ombudsman (Amendment) Act 2012 which gives him, in the instance of an institution such as Aras Attracta, the authority to enter, to seize documents and to interview people. These are compelling and strong...
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: I have no idea what the Deputy is asking.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: Now that we know what the Deputy is seeking, the Minister for Health informs me that report was published yesterday.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: A number of amendments have been made to the Road Traffic Act broadening the powers of the Garda in the enforcement of road safety. We have made huge progress on road safety in recent times. That seems to have been halted this year and we want to ensure the pressure is continued. I understand there was an issue in respect of a recent Bill. The Minister reported to the Cabinet this week...
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: I will ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to contact the Deputy and the Opposition spokespersons generally to ensure they are brought up to speed.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: Sorry. I understand that it is intended to brief Opposition spokespersons tomorrow.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: Yes.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, that there is already formal policy on open disclosure.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: That has been communicated to all staff. That should be happening. To ensure it does it will be followed up next year with legislation.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: I will raise the Deputy's concern directly with the Minister and since it has come from both sides of the House I will convey to him the sense of urgency that Members feel on this matter.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: I understand that a protocol is being negotiated between officials of my Department and the Office of the Ombudsman and that the draft has been sent by my Department. We are awaiting a reply from the Office of the Ombudsman.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: Both Bills are expected next year. The heads of both Bills have not yet been brought to Government.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: There is no date available yet for me to indicate for the Irish Aviation Authority (amendment) Bill. The policing Bill is regarded as an absolute priority and will be before the House early in the new year.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: Legislation is already enacted and provision has been made in the Estimates to provide the service but, as the Deputy knows, there are ongoing discussions with the IMO in that regard.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: The full investigation of what happened at Áras Attracta is ongoing and, no doubt, once the various investigations - the most serious of which is the criminal investigation by An Garda Síochána - are concluded, the matter will certainly be discussed by the Cabinet. I have no doubt that in due course it will be discussed here as well.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: We are in the dying days of this term so it will come next year.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: Again, it will be next year.
- Order of Business (11 Dec 2014)
Brendan Howlin: The Finance Bill is before the Seanad and it would be the appropriate forum for somebody to raise the issue.