Results 7,401-7,420 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: As a practising politician of long standing, I can assure Members this will not be an easy target to achieve, even if it is supported by legislation. There are various reasons which prevent the participation of women in politics, which do not apply to men. In the Bill we have adopted an ambitious but also a pragmatic approach to double the level of female participation. We must phrase it...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am the same.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: No, I am sorry I did not have an opportunity to address that issue. The latest date by which the quota of 40% of candidates being women must be reached is 2020. That is a reasonable period for political parties to prepare properly to reach in an ambitious and pragmatic way the participation level by both sexes we want to reach in elections. For the next election the gender quota is 30% and...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: She joined every party but Senator O'Brien's.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: Senator Mac Conghail is quite correct. There are a number of technical issues.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: When I explain I am sure the Senator will accept my bona fides. The language he used suggests that it would not be a binding requirement. I note the provision proposed is for political parties to, "endeavour to reach the quota of at least 50% men and 50% women in local elections by 2019". Unwittingly, the use of the word "endeavour" means that we do not have to do it, or even to reach the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The fundamental issue is to link the provisions in the Bill to local election candidate selections. I do not rule out reviewing the legislation after the 2014 local elections to see what has happened among political parties during the course of that election, but I do not want to be too prescriptive. People in all political parties, or none, should be trying to embrace what we are trying to...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011: Report and Final Stages (15 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I also expect that the new provisions of the Bill will provide the necessary catalyst for improvements at local elections. Practical experience suggests that if a target is set, with a number of years to achieve it, incremental moves will be made along the way in order to achieve the objective. In this case, there will be a legally binding provision on political parties. There is nothing...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." In commending the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill to the House I am asking Dáil Éireann to approve new, thorough and comprehensive restrictions and transparency measures for political funding in the State. I am also seeking approval for the single most significant measure ever brought forward to improve the participation of...

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy will see next week.

Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Second Stage (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy's uncle would have to work it out.

Private Members' Business. European Stability Mechanism: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy should look in the mirror.

Private Members' Business. European Stability Mechanism: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy has proved that.

Private Members' Business. European Stability Mechanism: Motion (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "notes that: — the European Stability Mechanism, ESM, treaty is an important part of the significant number of initiatives which have been taken at EU level to ensure the economic and financial stability of the euro area and the EU as a whole which include: — the establishment of a temporary...

Written Answers — Motor Taxation: Motor Taxation (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: A concessionary rate of motor tax was introduced on 1 July 1991 for vintage vehicles, i.e. those constructed more than 30 years prior to the commencement of the period in relation to which the licence is sought. The annual rate of motor tax is €52 for all vintage vehicles other than motorcycles, which are taxed at €24. I have no proposals for changes currently.

Written Answers — Grant Payments: Grant Payments (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: While some aspects of allotment initiatives may in principle be eligible under the Rural Development Programme (RDP), decision making with regard to projects funded through the programme rests solely with the Local Development Companies. Meitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta (MFG), the company contracted by my Department to deliver Axes 3 & 4 (LEADER) of the RDP in Gaeltacht Areas, went into...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 345 and 353 together. The independent Pyrite Panel is due to submit its report to me in the near future. There is still some continuing work being completed by the Panel. On receipt of the report I will give careful consideration to the content of the report and any recommendations it may contain in relation to the position of home owners whose homes are...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 346, 347, 359, 360, 369, 370, 375 and 397 together. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 and the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009, as amended, set out the legislation underpinning the household charge and the charge on non-principal private residences respectively. Application of the legislation in particular circumstances is a matter for the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Funding: Local Authority Funding (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: It is a matter for each local authority, including Sligo County Council, to manage its own day-to-day finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. At the request of Sligo County Council, I met with a delegation from the Council on 31 January 2012 to discuss its financial position, including its adopted 2012 budget. My Department continues to be in ongoing consultation with the Council in...

Written Answers — Local Authority Members' Remuneration: Local Authority Members' Remuneration (21 Mar 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have no function in relation to the individual remuneration of members of local authorities, or for the payment of allowances for expenses incurred by those members. The Deputy may wish to consult the public register, provided for in section 142(4)(g ) of the Local Government Act 2001, maintained by the relevant local authorities by virtue of article 8 of the Local Government...