Results 20,301-20,320 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Deputies opposite and I understand their points. I listened on Committee Stage to the points about the definition of a public sector body and I thought it too narrow in the initial draft Bill. I amended it on Committee Stage to include the 11 bodies listed by Deputy Fleming. That is a fairly comprehensive sweep of all bodies. The definition of what constitutes a Department of...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Revenue Commissioners is a Department of State.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: That is what I am advised under the definitions.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will answer the question formally.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy asked two net questions and I want to try to be as clear as I can in regard to them. In regard to the definition of what constitutes a public sector service body, it is any public body which has a pre-existing public service pension scheme. That includes all those the Deputy mentioned. As far as we are aware, they all have a pre-existing public service pension scheme and they...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy would have to go back to what public sector bodies are excluded and how they are excluded.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Yes.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I am not supposed to answer again but I will do so if I can. It is my intention that that would not be exempt but, ultimately, I cannot say that definitively because it would be a matter for the registrar. The registrar will determine whether it is a corporate governance issue, that is, the narrowness of the question the Deputy put to me. However, as I said, it is my intention - the...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment number 55:In page 13, line 34, to delete "person" and substitute "individual".It is proposed to include a technical amendment in this section to clarify that it is the name of the individual who has primary responsibility for lobbying activities within an organisation which would be included in the return to the registrar. The provision currently refers to a person which...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: On the issue of requiring financial disclosures as part of the registration system, the consultation process that we have had, which was quite exhaustive, highlighted the need to strike a balance between transparency, which is the objective of the Bill, ensuring confidentiality of commercially sensitive information and safeguarding the right to privacy. Account also needs to be taken of...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Section 14(1) provides for delayed publication where the registrant believes the registration of the return relating to the lobbying activity would be expected to:(a) have a serious adverse effect on—(i) the financial interests of the State, (ii) the national economy, or (iii) business interests generally or the business interests of any description of persons,or (b) cause a...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 60: In page 15, line 29, to delete “14 days” and substitute “21 days”.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I do not think I need to make an argument because the Deputy knows my view on this matter. While it is right and proper to constrain people's rights in order to impose restrictions on post-term employment on relevant designated public officials, those constraints must be proportionate, must not trample on people's rights and must be practical to operate. The categories included in the list...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 64:In page 24, line 3, to delete “Registration” and substitute “Regulation”.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 65:In page 24, line 5, to delete “Registration” and substitute “Regulation”.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 66:In page 24, line 7, to delete “Registration” and substitute “Regulation”.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 67:In page 24, line 14, to delete “Registration” and substitute “Regulation”.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Now.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Deputies opposite for the constructive debate we had today and yesterday on Report Stage. I would like to withdraw a discordant word I used earlier. I am sorry. It did not characterise the constructive and useful nature of the debate we have had on this legislation. I try to approach all legislation with an open mind. When we are working on new areas of operation, we are not...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together. At the outset I would like to state that public works contracts are between the main contractor and the contracting authority.  Contracts between main contractors and subcontractors are a matter for those parties concerned and details are not available. Under EU Directives on public procurement public works, supplies and service...