Results 461-480 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Seanad: Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Bill 2006: Report and Final Stages (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome the positive reception given by all sides to the concept of business improvement districts. They have been tried elsewhere, especially in the US and Canada, and the success achieved can be translated to our cities and towns in the years ahead. BIDs have significant positive effects by improving business and enhancing the local communities. They can also have a positive effect on...

Seanad: Housing Policy. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this matter and I thank Senator Morrissey for raising it. As Senators are aware, it was traditional for management companies to operate for apartment developments because it was necessary to have arrangements in place for the upkeep and maintenance of buildings and shared private areas in such developments. Section 34 of the Planning and...

Seanad: Housing Policy. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is accepted that difficulties have arisen. Based on the advice of the working group, we will examine what can be achieved in respect of past happenings.

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator McHugh for raising what is a very important issue and I am pleased to have the opportunity to answer the question on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I welcome the opportunity to outline the position on the issues raised. Since 1987 the social partnership agreements have helped to maintain a strategic focus on key national...

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: It should be noted that other key health service grades, including junior doctors, health care assistants and other support staff, work a 39-hour week. Is that what Fine Gael is offering the people into the future?

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: It would add €800 million to Exchequer costs. If the claims were to be conceded, there would be significant knock-on claims from other health service grades and the wider public service with an estimated cost to the Exchequer in excess of €600 million per annum.

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Acceding to this claim from the INO and the PNA would cost €1 billion. A Labour Court hearing on the claims was held on 20 June and the court issued its recommendation on 9 November. It noted that the social partnership agreements continued to have the support of the great majority of workers, their trade unions and employers. The court also stated that the agreements provided an agreed...

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The most important thing for the Government is to have an agreement going forward and participation in the benchmarking process, as laid out, from all public service unions. There is an opportunity under the benchmarking scheme for those workers and unions to have pay increases——

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——provided they come within the scope of benchmarking and the unions can prove their case. If we were to concede all the claims, which the Labour Court has not recommended, the Senator must accept that it would cost the Exchequer €1 billion more.

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: We can only talk to them——

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: We can talk to them only in the context of the pay agreement. The Senator is hardly saying, on behalf of the Fine Gael Party, that——

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——we should talk to them and pay what the claim amounts to, which is €2 billion.

Seanad: Industrial Relations. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: All workers have equal rights.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: That sounds ominous.

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: I thank Senator McCarthy for raising the matter as it affords me the opportunity to outline the Government's strategy for capital investment in education projects and to outline the position regarding Clonakilty community college. Modernising facilities in our 3,200 primary and 750 post-primary schools is not an easy task given the legacy of decades of under-investment in this area as well as...

Seanad: Schools Building Projects. (15 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Obviously I am aware of the concerns in Clonakilty. These concerns have been brought to the attention of the Minister. She has declared that the project is under active consideration and is part of the 2006-10 building programme.

Housing Policy: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: Has the Deputy checked how many fell under Part V? How many had planning permission before Part V was introduced? These facts should be determined and then an accurate analysis should be carried out.

Housing Policy: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The county council can include such conditions in the county development plan.

Housing Policy: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The local authorities do not want to offer a reasonable price for the land.

Housing Policy: Motion (21 Nov 2006)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Deputy should talk to the Comptroller and Auditor General.