Results 361-380 of 29,348 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: Only for Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, nothing would have happened.

Leaders' Questions. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: When will we see the 2005 programme?

Labour Inspectorate. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a report prepared by officials of his Department found that lack of staff, resources, training and legal support was hampering the pursuit of employers who exploit their workers; the steps being taken to address this situation, particularly in view of increasing reports of exploitation of foreign workers; and if he will...

Labour Inspectorate. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: I welcomed the appointment of the Minister of State not so long ago, but I am afraid he has reverted to Department speak very quickly after his appointment. I ask him to address the questions asked in my priority question. Is it not a fact, and will the Minister not acknowledge, that the labour inspectorate in this internal review stated that it was prevented from properly policing the...

Labour Inspectorate. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: Will the Minister acknowledge that the proof of the pudding is what happens on the ground? Is it not a fact that the number of inspections dropped from 7,168 in 2003 to 5,160 last year, a decrease of approximately 2,000 inspections? Is it not a fact also that prosecutions have fallen from 20 in 2003 to 14 last year? We are going backwards and the notion that all is well or will soon be well...

Labour Inspectorate. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: It did not.

Labour Inspectorate. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: Only the whistleblowers caught up with them, thank God.

Labour Inspectorate. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: Not with an inadequate policing system.

Job Losses. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: There is no regional balance.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: I am afraid it has been at least two years.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: The employment permits Bill has been in preparation for years.

Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: Will the Minister address the question? He stated he is aware of the CSO report. The question I asked is if he accepts the projection that this economy will need 50,000 immigrants a year over the next 12 years if economic growth is to be maintained at a 3% to 5% range. Does the Minister also accept that there is a need for joined-up Government? His Department is often working at variance with...

Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Minister for his reply because it is important. Will he accept that there are basically three pillars to the issue? One is a rational policy of migration to meet the economic needs of the country and to allow people who want to increase their economic well-being to come here. The second is a rational policy to deal with asylum seekers, which is quite separate and often confused...

Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: The current policy is a problem for a quarter of our businesses.

Labour Force Survey. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: I am saying that.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: Will the Minister take the opportunity to give an exposition of Government policy as regards the allowing of spouses of all work permit holders to come and reside in the country?

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: I am asking what Government policy is as regards allowing spouses into this country. If tens of thousands of work permits are being issued on average, the current ballpark figure is between 40,000 and 50,000 annually. The number of work permits issued, more than 1,000 according to the Minister, is a tiny fraction of that figure. What is the Government's policy? What criteria is used to allow...

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: I am trying to elucidate what exactly is the Government's policy. It seems to be a very limited area, where the spouses of workers who are attracted to this economy and given work permits and are allowed to join them and work in this economy. I have dealt with several cases of where family members of doctors from abroad had difficulties in getting visitors' visas to enter the State. It links...

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: We are for some skills.

Work Permits. (20 Apr 2005)

Brendan Howlin: I did not say that.