Results 21,781-21,800 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In terms of the actual recruitment of nurses, there are 750-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There are no semantics about it. Whether we recruit them domestically or have to bring them in from abroad, as long as we get them-----

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The Senator spoke about Garda pay and gave a figure. The starting rate for a garda now is €25,745 in year one, going up in 12 months to €28,000 and 12 months later to €29,834. That does not take account of quite generous allowances, particularly shift allowances and other allowances that gardaí have which very significantly supplement their pay from the beginning....

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: This is the starting rate for anybody starting in An Garda Síochána. That is the basic pay, not taking account of allowances. In respect of pensions, one of the first things I did was to create a single pension scheme for all public servants, including Members of the Oireachtas and judges. Every public servant recruited after 1 January 2013 is part of a single pension scheme....

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: -----relate to 2013.Irish teachers are paid, on average, 17% above the OECD median. OECD countries are the most developed in the world. I just want to put that on record. As a former teacher, I certainly do not think teachers are overpaid. I think they earn their keep. It is a very demanding job and has become much more demanding since my time in the classroom. We have been very...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I am determined to maintain pay rates so that we do not lose that. I will move on and get through everybody's points if possible. A question was asked about side deals done in the Haddington Road process. I am responsible for the formal negotiation of the pay agreement. I negotiated two agreements, namely, the Haddington Road agreement and, latterly, the Lansdowne Road agreement. That is...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Let me answer the question in my own way.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: If Senator Craughwell wants to go to a court of law, he can put on his wig. I will attend as a witness and he can put me on the stand. I listened to the Senator and I want to answer his question. It is absolutely fanciful, as the Senator knows, to think that we could collapse FEMPI. Is the emergency on or off? That is a black-and-white question. We are emerging from the emergency. We...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: If Senator Craughwell is not interested in listening to me, I will stop talking but I am trying to answer the questions as honestly as I can. I do so through the Chair and try not to be heckled. I could not present proposals to this House to say that the emergency is over, that FEMPI is ended and that I must find said €2.2 billion. In fact, it would be more than €2.2 billion...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: It is very difficult when one is constantly heckled.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I mentioned the point made by Senator Sheahan. Senator Norris spoke about Members of the Oireachtas. I have not excluded them from the benefits of this. I have not excluded any group from the benefits of this for a very good reason. Again, I want to be clear about this. This is emergency legislation because cutting pay is a very unusual thing to do and can only be done in very clear...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will deal with all of the questions asked, if Members bear with me.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will do so seriatum, as I have written them down. Senator Kathryn Reilly raised an issue that was also mentioned in the other House. There is a separate agreement which was formally agreed to under the HRA in respect of the unique third cut only for public servants earning in excess of €65,000. A schedule of repayments was provided for in the agreement. I will adhere to it...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I am delighted to hear it.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: With regard to the Garda, I made a point about allowances, additional hours and so on. I will adhere to the agreements to which I have signed up.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: However, I cannot collapse the FEMPI legislation because I will not undo the economic progress we have made as a nation. Senator Terry Brennan echoed what was said on the local authority members' issue. Senator Fidelma Healy Eames talked about the punitive measures under section 4. I respect anybody who does not want to be part of a collective agreement, but people cannot be half in and...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: If I was to accept that it was possible for individuals to opt out, it would collapse the agreement, as the Senators know full well. On the issue of part-time workers, everybody will benefit pro rata. I cannot talk about individuals, but on a pro ratabasis, the benefits will apply to working time. If the Senator would like to outline me the details of a case, I will ask my officials to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Levy (25 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 to 83, inclusive, together. I and my officials have met with representatives of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants (ARPS) on a regular basis.  My proposals to Government earlier this year in respect of the amelioration of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR) burden on pensioners, and which now form part of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Agencies (25 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question, I can confirm that no new State Body or agency has been established by my Department since February 2011. 

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pay (25 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave on this matter on 17th November (PQ Ref 40624/15). On the specific issue of potential knock on claims. I wish to advise the Deputy that the Forum, in its examination of the matter, will address all relevant issues including any potential knock on effect that this claim might have.