Results 9,821-9,840 of 9,994 for speaker:John Gormley
- Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (7 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: 2057Information relating to payments by public bodies referred to in the Question is a matter for the bodies concerned and is not available in my Department. Payment of invoices by public bodies is governed by the Prompt Payment of Accounts Act 1997. The legislation provides for the payment of interest on valid invoices that are unpaid after 30 days from the date of receipt. Each public body...
- Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (7 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: 2057There are no industrial disputes being engaged in by staff of my Department at present.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: The Deputy will see that Bill.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: Yes, we certainly did that.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: I welcome the opportunity of contributing to this debate both as leader of the Green Party and as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. For some time we have known that the budget for 2011 would be very tough. The reality is that our public finances are badly depleted and the country has had to resort to international help from the European Union and the IMF. There...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: He has not. I would like to see how the Labour Party handles the sort of pressure that will be put on the pupil-teacher ratio. Deputy Gogarty has done an outstanding job in his role. The teachers' unions will state that the Green Party has done a good job in this regard. Will the Labour Party maintain the pupil-teacher ratio because I do not believe Fine Gael will?
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: There will undoubtedly be that tension. Having listened to Deputy Noonan last night I get the clear impression that many teachers will be for the chop because it is a way to save money.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: It is not a way to advance the cause of education in this country.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: That is the reality; I am responding having listened to what was said yesterday evening.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: Since entering Government we have argued publicly and privately that politicians must give an example to people facing tough times. Our political system must cost less to taxpayers and these measures are an important step. I welcome the ministerial pay cuts. A Minister's take home pay has decreased by 40% over recent budgets. Tax and PRSI changes for senior officials and public...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: Others already earmarked to be ended will be phased out more quickly. We welcome moves to reform tax on private pensions, particularly a decision to tax high lump sum pay-offs. The pension changes for higher civil servants and for those in public life are significant. They help to reduce unacceptably high costs. I will comment on our international obligations because I do not believe it...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: That is a minimal cut on the 2010 allocation-----
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: -----and this is a source of some pride to the Green Party in government.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: Yes. We hope this reduction can be made up from administrative savings and other cost saving measures. Even this afternoon I will introduce a Supplementary Estimate for fast-track financing for climate change adaption, something to which we gave a commitment just over a year ago. That will be an extra â¬30 million in total and that is not included in this figure. Even in these current...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: We should be honest in admitting that there are no votes in this respect and where there are no votes, people will say that we can afford to cut expenditure in that area. That would be the wrong attitude because politics has to be underpinned by a set of principles and values and defending the world's poorest is something that needs to be maintained going into the term of the next...
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: Having listened to Deputy Howlin, I regret there are no Deputies from the Labour Party present.
- Financial Resolution No. 34: General (Resumed) (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: Deputy Howlin stated that despite the considerable constraints which will face a new Government, it will make different and better decisions. While it is only right that a political party would implement its policies, I return to my earlier question as to which of the cuts in the budget it will reverse. I suspect it would reverse few of them. This is the type of honest debate we need in...
- Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: No employee at senior management level in any agency or body under the aegis of my Department received a bonus payment in the past twelve months.
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: No civil servant in my Department has received a bonus payment in 2010.
- Written Answers — Community Development: Community Development (9 Dec 2010)
John Gormley: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 90 together. Further to the reply to Question No. 135 of 2 December 2010, the issue of the funding of the Community & Voluntary Fora from my Department's Vote has been addressed in the Estimates for 2011. As a result, a total of â¬587,000 is being provided next year by my Department to support the Fora in each county/city council area. This funding...