Results 801-820 of 8,873 for speaker:Batt O'Keeffe

Written Answers — Rural Environment Protection Scheme: Rural Environment Protection Scheme (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Following an inspection of this development in May 2007, my Department requested the applicants to complete a number of specified remedial works and to submit documentation with regard to Part L of the Building Regulations. On receipt of this documentation, together with confirmation that the required works have been completed, a further inspection will be arranged with a view to issuing...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I refer to the reply to Question No. 619 of 23 October 2007. The position is unchanged.

Written Answers — Local Authority Housing: Local Authority Housing (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: On 15 October 2007, my Department issued approval to Monaghan Town Council to proceed with remedial works to the estate in question. It is now a matter for the Council to progress this project.

Written Answers — Housing Grants: Housing Grants (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: To facilitate the continued independent occupancy of their own homes by older people and people with a disability, my Department has reviewed the operation of the Disabled Persons, Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Grant schemes. Details of the revised framework of grant aid to assist older people and people with a disability were announced earlier this year as part...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Senator can, however, besmirch innocent people and has no problem in doing so. Nor does his party.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance is at an important Government meeting. The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Noel Ahern, is at an official function so I am delighted to have the opportunity to deal with this issue——

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: ——and to deal with it on a logical and truthful basis. The provision brings payment to Ministers into line with civil and public servants who make late applications for a preserved pension. Whether or not an individual case arose, ministerial pensions must be brought into line, irrespective of whether they make a late application, in the same way senior civil servants, to whom we are...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Yes. When the former Minister made an application to the officials in the Department of Finance, it became obvious to them that there is an anomaly in the system as it relates to Ministers, as opposed to public and civil servants. The departmental officials recommended to the Minister for Finance that the anomaly should be rectified. The recommendation did not come from the Minister for...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is mentioned in the explanatory memorandum.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: If the Senator gets the memorandum, he will find that the reference I have mentioned is in it. I have lost my train of thought.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: It is important to note that this issue arose during the debate in the Dáil. If my memory serves me correctly, it was raised by Deputy Burton. When she asked the Minister for Finance if these provisions apply to any former Minister, he specifically said that they do. When Deputy Bruton was asked about this issue yesterday, he acknowledged that it had been discussed in the Dáil....

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: A number of other issues were raised. Senator Boyle suggested that this issue could be dealt with in the forthcoming finance Bill. However, it could not be addressed in that Bill because it has the status of a money Bill. Other Senators argued that this measure should not be attached to this legislation at all. Given that some other issues are dealt with in the miscellaneous provisions...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: He has already benefitted.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: If a late application for a pension entitlement is made by a public or civil servant, he or she is entitled to get the full benefit of the pension. In this Bill, the Minister for Finance is regulating to ensure that the same thing that applies to civil and public servants also applies to any Minister.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: I can deal only with matters relating to the Minister for Finance. If the Senators want to take up these issues directly with the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, they are welcome to do so. I will address the issues which were raised in respect of the garda, if Senators would like me to do so.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The former Minister's case is not comparable to the case of the garda that was highlighted in a newspaper article today. The garda in question was dismissed from the force in 1973. At that time, forfeiture of superannuation benefits applied in the case of dismissal. Preservation did not become a feature of the Garda Síochána superannuation scheme until October 1976. Under the terms of...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: He was fully informed. During the debate in the Dáil it was asked if a former Minister was involved and the Minister for Finance said "Yes". Deputy Bruton acknowledged this yesterday in a radio interview.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: They changed the mind of one of my partners when she found out the true facts.

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: The former Minister applied for the pension in September 2006. The case was put to the Tánaiste when this Bill was being prepared in March 2007 and a recommendation was made to amend the legislation in line with the legislation covering public and civil servants to do away with the anomaly. The Tánaiste agreed to this. The Bill was published on 20 April 2007 and has been in the public...

Seanad: Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee and Remaining Stages (31 Oct 2007)

Batt O'Keeffe: Not that I am aware of.