Results 8,621-8,640 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Any money that comes from any jurisdiction must observe the rules that obtain in the Republic of Ireland, that is, in the State. People must make the declarations associated with the law as it applies here. As for corporate donations and the sum of €200, this constitutes a major reform whereby any moneys of more than €200 must be declared under certain criteria to the Standards in...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I agree with Senator Mooney's comments. It is a practical and pragmatic approach that removes the temptation for political parties and individuals to amass large amounts of money for political purposes and then, by perception or otherwise, to creep into a position whereby influence is being bought. The reduction to €200 provided for in this legislation is a major response to that...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Amendments Nos. 7, 12, 13, 18, 21, 22, 26, and 31 to 33, inclusive, which affect sections 8, 10, 16, 23 and 25, relate to donations given through an intermediary. These ten amendments all relate to the introduction of new restrictions on indirect donations, or donations given through intermediaries, as they are described. The amendments respond to the Mahon tribunal recommendation that...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Praise does not come easily to me. Amendments Nos. 10, 11, 16 and 28, which affect sections 9, 13 and 24, deal with the provision of more detailed information on donors and donations. These four amendments will require that additional information is included on the statement of donations submitted to the Standards in Public Office Commission by candidates at all elections, political parties,...

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: We had a different crowd in charge at that time.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I cannot be blamed for that one.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: I hope all of the events that have happened here today are very well recorded.

Seanad: Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil]: Report and Final Stages (20 Jul 2012)

Phil Hogan: Normally it does not happen until one goes to one's eternal reward. I thank the Senators for their comments. When introducing the list of amendments we dealt with I stated it was fitting the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 should conclude in the Seanad where it commenced last February. I thank all members of the Seanad and the Dáil for their thoughtful and detailed...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 41 together. I assume that the questions refer to general purpose grants from the Local Government Fund. The two principal sources of revenue for the Local Government Fund are the proceeds of motor tax and income from the household charge. The Local Government (Household Charge) Act 2011 provides that income from the household charge is to be paid...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The Deputy's brother would know all about that.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I wish to congratulate Deputy Cowen on his elevation to high office as Fianna Fáil spokesman for the environment and I wish him well. I hope what we have just heard will not be the way in which he will continue. He will be aware that the reason we have a household charge and a property tax is that it was negotiated by people, who would be well know to him in the Fianna Fáil Party,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I am glad to tell Deputy Stanley that I have not issued any instruction to any local authority in regard to higher education grants, and I understand that moneys have not been withheld at this stage by Clare County Council in respect of higher education grants. I understand Clare County Council is in a position where it asked for a lot of information, not just about higher education, but...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: I have instructed all local authorities to collect the amount of money that is outstanding, and he would expect me to do that. He would be very familiar with the charge and the reason we have it. I have asked them to stay within their budget and use whatever means to do that. The Local Government Management Agency is in constant contact, as the agents who are dealing with this charge on...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: That is a matter for each local authority under the Act. They will discuss these issues with the Local Government Management Agency-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Local Government Fund (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: No, I am not. I do not micro-manage local authorities.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The pyrite report, which contains 24 interrelated recommendations covering a wide range of issues, provides a comprehensive framework to enable me and the other stakeholders to make progress towards providing solutions for homeowners. Implementation of many of the recommendations requires the involvement and co-operation of a number of stakeholders and other bodies. My Department and I will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: Deputy Ellis realises that the State is not liable in this matter, and there is case law to show that. I do not know why the Government would be putting money into a system in respect of which it is not liable. We are facilitating a process to help homeowners who, through no fault of their own, have been put in a difficult position arising from the pyrite problem. In the report, it is...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: If I had wanted to wash my hands of this problem, I would have done so a long time ago, as the State is not liable. Thanks to the panel's expertise, I have developed a set of recommendations that I am anxious to implement on behalf of home owners. I would like to believe that the stakeholders being consulted will be positive in their responses and will table proposals. I assure the Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Pyrite Panel Report Implementation (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: We will need to consider that matter following the responses from the stakeholders.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Water Charges (18 Sep 2012)

Phil Hogan: The programme for Government and the memorandum of understanding with the EU, the IMF and the ECB provide for the introduction of domestic water charges and the establishment of a State-owned water utility. The Government considers that charging for water based on usage is the fairest way and it has decided that water meters should be installed in households connected to public water...