Results 8,401-8,420 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The moratorium on recruitment and promotion in the public service was introduced in March 2009 in response to the financial crisis. My Department operates a delegated sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for implementation of the moratorium in relation to local authorities, and any exceptions to the moratorium in local authorities require sanction from my Department....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Electoral (Amendment) (No.2) Bill is a short but important Bill to enable the electoral register to be used for selecting citizens for the constitutional convention. When consideration was being given to the establishment of the convention, the Government decided there should be 100 members, of which 66 would be ordinary citizens. As set out in the resolution made in the House earlier...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Regional criteria will be applied.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Senator Barrett was anxious about Belmullet.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I thank the Senators for their contributions. This is a short Bill with the sole purpose of providing in statute for the use of the electoral register in the selection of members of the public for the work of the constitutional convention. It is a Bill to facilitate the operational aspects of implementing this proposal to allow ordinary citizens to participate in the constitutional...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I will not go into that point now. I have tried to get information to address the information deficit. An expert advisory group will be established to assist the convention in its work and give specialist guidance on a variety of issue. Back-up support will be available for the people from Belmullet or from Stoneybatter to be able to understand the issues that are before them, to give them...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Members will, in the first instance, be identified using professional polling techniques by an independent polling company. The electoral register will then be used to verify them and they will have an option to decline the offer because it does not suit everyone to get involved in this work. They will have an opportunity to decline if they wish and I agree with Senator Bradford on that....

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Senator Walsh fixed a good bit in his time but I will not go into that historical pattern.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Government is keen to have the diaspora involved. I understand that the embassies and the community groups abroad shall be briefed with as much information as possible to allow them to do so. A website will be provided to accept submissions and to give as much information as possible to people across the world. We have tried to comply with what we presented the people with in the...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: If it happened in Ballinasloe then it has happened in a lot of other places. It is unacceptable. We are examining ways to give certainty, including the one that was mentioned, to assist the process by using data that is available from other sources. I thank Senators for their contributions.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Obviously when the chair of the convention is elected he or she will have an input into how these matters are organised, based on previous experience in other jurisdictions. The advisory group will be drawn from whatever sectors are required such as political science, constitutional law and others. Obviously dealing with a Constitution means we will need legal advice. The group will be in...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Yes. It will be in a position to decide. I envisage that it will be like past forum with oral presentations and public sessions and that all matters will be noted and recorded in the normal way in the event that a vote takes place. The logistical preparations have not been finalised by the Government because it wants to engage with the people that will steer the convention and its...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: If the Senator was on it, yes.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: That is what the Senator has said.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: No, that is what the Senator has said.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I withdraw my remark and am glad to have resolved the matter.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Senator has suggested that the outcome of the convention will be largely determined by whom the political parties appoint from the Oireachtas. It will also consist of 66 members of the public and I respect them and their views. It will not be politically driven. The politicians present may have strong views but the members of the public will also be present and they are entitled to...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: It appears the Senator is afraid of the public in terms of the 66 people who will participate.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: He should have no fear about it.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I can understand that too. We have a lot of history in that regard. He should not be afraid of any view from any quarter. The purpose of a people's convention is to have everybody involved and respecting each other's point of view with advice and guidance available, if required, in order that they can make an informed view before arriving at a decision or voting on it. I do not share the...