Results 21,041-21,060 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), has developed a pilot service to address  concerns raised by suppliers most notably SMEs, in relation to possible barriers for suppliers in competing for public procurement tender opportunities, as part of the Action Plan for Jobs 2014. The pilot service known as the Tender Advisory Service (TAS) was launched on 1st February 2015 and was...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Correspondence (17 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I regret the delay in issuing a final reply to your representations. Unfortunately, this occurred because the issues raised  on behalf of the organisation involved crossed a number of areas of responsibility. The question of the availability of financial assistance would be a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Order for Second Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am happy to introduce to the Dáil the Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014. Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas will be aware that the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission came into being on 1 January 2004 under the terms of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act of 2003. The commission is...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Recommender.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Open competition through the Public Appointments Service.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I want to give due regard to all the speakers and thank all the speakers. As I would like to take some time to respond, I move the adjournment of the debate.

Management Fees (Local Property Tax) Relief Bill 2015: First Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: No.

Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2015: First Stage (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: No.

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I had begun my reply earlier. I welcome Deputy Fleming to the House. I know that he was unavoidably delayed and that Deputy Ó Fearghaíl made the Fianna Fáil presentation. I wish to respond to the Deputies who spoke - I thank them for their contributions. As everyone who spoke has said, this is not an earth-shattering Bill. In essence, it simply seeks to ensure that the...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Second Stage (Resumed) (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: It would not be an appropriate amendment for this legislation but the Deputy has made his point. This is not enormously radical legislation and it is not a Bill the Executive should bulldoze through without building as much consensus as is possible, so if Deputies feel strongly about the appointment of the other, non-TLAC designated officers, they can table amendments and we can discuss them...

Houses of the Oireachtas (Appointments to Certain Offices) Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland is required to transpose a suite of three new procurement Directives. On 28 March, 2014, the European Commission published three new Directives as a collective reform of the existing EU regime for public procurement under the existing provisions of Directive 2004/17/EU - coordinating the procurement procedures of entities operating in the water, energy,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reports (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 to 104, inclusive, together. My Department is responsible for policy advice on the allocation of public funds across each area of Government spending and for ensuring that overall expenditure is managed in line with such allocations. However, the day-to day operations of individual Departments/Offices are the responsibility of those...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 to 107, inclusive, together. The Ireland Wales Co-Operation Programme has a total value of approximately €100 million over the period 2014-2020. It will support projects with partners in both Ireland and Wales focussing on activities across three priority areas: cross-border innovation; adaptation of the Irish Sea and coastal communities to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (18 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Civil Service Superannuation Scheme rules provide that since 1 September 1984 all new entrant civil servants are compulsorily members of the Spouses and Children's Superannuation Scheme. The issue to which the Deputy refers is specific to those civil servants who were serving in August 1984 and who exercised their option not to join the Revised Spouses' and Children's Superannuation...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Government Contracts (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Remedies Regulations: European Communities (Public Authorities' Contracts) (Review Procedures) Regulations 2010 and European Communities (Award of Contracts by Utility Undertakings) (Review Procedures) Regulations 2010 (SI 130 and 131) allow tenderers or candidates who feel that a procurement process was not carried out in an open, fair and transparent manner the option of seeking...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Responsibilities (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputies question I can confirm that the allocation of responsibilities and the composition of Departments is a matter for the Taoiseach.  The cost of a hypothetical Department of Housing would depend on the size and scope of such an organisation, as well as the role and functions that might be assigned.  With regard to the current structures and costs for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Bodies (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: While my Department sets out Departmental expenditure ceilings and monitors spending on an ongoing basis, it is a matter for individual Ministers and their Departments to decide on the specific projects and programmes that will be delivered from within these allocations and to ensure adherence to Ministerial Expenditure Ceilings. Expenditure profiles for all Departmental Vote Groups are...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Tribunals of Inquiry Reports (23 Jun 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 286 and 287 together. The Deputy may wish to note that one recommendation (62.15) of the Moriarty Tribunal falls within my remit.  This recommendation seeks that consideration be given to the introduction of a discretionary or voluntary system to be assumed by positive election on the part of Office Holders within the meaning of the Ethics in Public...