Results 6,541-6,560 of 8,081 for speaker:Peter Burke

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I thank all of the political parties and councillors for their huge positive engagement throughout this process. They have all added their own value to the proposals that are in front us. I wish to acknowledge the cross-party support for this Bill.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: It is 13 hours.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: It is in line with the commitment in the Moorhead report. A survey was conducted by, I think, the Association of Irish Local Government, AILG, on the average working week of a councillor and it was taken pro ratato that of the support provided to an Oireachtas Member.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: Yes.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I think it is only set at 13 hours. It is an allowance as opposed to a formal employee arrangement where there would be overtime. We have a mechanism to review these proposals. If it is a case that there are limitations or the scheme does not work into the future then we can review and obviously make changes, if needed.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: In the first instance, that is what we put into the legislation so specifically they would have regard to the individual woman's choice who is leaving and I think that is a strong statement.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: I have good faith in local authorities and the political party system. It would be shocking if someone denied a woman her choice as she went on maternity leave. I think if that happened then the system would reflect very poorly on them. We have also reserved the right to issue directions and standing orders under section 28, I think, and schedule 10. We would be able to do that if it...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: On Councillor Tuffy's issues, we have prepared a paper on each of the points that she had raised, which we can circulate to the committee.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: On the other question, the woman would still be a councillor but on maternity leave. The temporary substitute becomes a member of council for the defined period of up to 42 weeks.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: We are not changing the rules for a temporary vacancy. It is still the exact same way a casual vacancy is filled in a local authority now. The only thing that we have added, which is an important clause for women, is section 2(b)(3)(b)(ii) which reads: "The local authority shall have regard to the preferred choice (if any) of the member causing the temporary absence as to the person who...

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: Yes, and for men if they are on sick leave.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: Yes, whichever.

Select Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government: Business of Select Committee
Local Government (Maternity Protection and Other Measures for Members of Local Authorities) Bill 2022: Committee Stage (8 Dec 2022)

Peter Burke: The provision covers maternity and sick leave. As I said earlier, we will make incremental changes. We must give consideration to a host of others areas and find ways to cover them in primary legislation to give enhanced rights to local authority members. We are on a journey and this Bill is the second part of that journey post Moorhead.

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (18 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: 780. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the catchment area that Glenmore Woods, Mullingar, County Westmeath is in, in relation to the primary schools in Mullingar town and surrounding area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1777/23]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Admissions (18 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: 797. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when a secondary school place will be provided for a student (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2059/23]

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Deputies for their questions and their kind comments. First, on the temporary protection directive, 72,000 Ukrainian citizens have been welcomed into Ireland. The response has been challenging. We have seen potentially an 1,100% plus increase in Ukrainian citizens who are availing of international protection or a request for same coming into the State and we are trying to...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank Deputy Howlin for his kind wishes. In the first instance, in regard to the response, "Yes" is the answer to the Deputy's question in terms of the key infrastructure. President Zelenskyy, on the phone call that recently took place with the Tánaiste and Minister of Foreign Affairs, underscored the level of investment they need in their SME sector to rebuild the country, of which...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: I thank the Members for their questions. In relation to Deputy Mattie McGrath, I understand that the Taoiseach committed to a debate on these issues in the next two weeks during today's Order of Business, if I am not mistaken. Obviously as a member of the EU we are to the forefront in meeting our international obligations to ensure that those coming, who are very traumatised and in very...

Post-European Council Meeting: Statements (31 Jan 2023)

Peter Burke: With regard to Deputy Howlin's contribution, the Taoiseach was very concerned about the Inflation Reduction Act. The Deputy quite rightly referred to state aid and the beneficiaries of that, which is a massive concern for the Government. President von der Leyen said the Commission will issue a package of measures on four key issues - regulatory environment, finance, skills and trade - in...