Results 10,061-10,080 of 21,499 for speaker:Mary Lou McDonald

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: There has been a difference of view about whether or not there is an emergency. I am in no doubt there is still an emergency and it is felt in households across the land. They are in no doubt that it is still an emergency to get the rent together, pay the mortgage, put a coat on the child’s back or get schoolbooks. That is the stuff of emergency. In that light, the intention of the...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: They are both in the legislation.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Is the Acting Chairman asking me if I am pressing the amendment?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I am pressing the amendment.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I move amendment No. 3:In page 6, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(5) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this section shall provide for increases in the salaries of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas or Ministers of the Government.”.”.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I move amendment No. 4:In page 6, between lines 29 and 30, to insert the following:“(5) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this section shall provide for increases in the salaries of public servants in receipt of salaries in excess of €100,000 before the coming into effect of this section.”.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I move amendment No. 5:In page 9, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following:“(7) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this section shall provide for decreases in the pensions related deduction of members of the Houses of the Oireachtas or Ministers of the Government.”.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I move amendment No. 6:In page 12, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following:“(8) Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this section shall provide for a reduction in Public Service Pension Reduction of former members of the Houses of the Oireachtas or Ministers of the Government.”.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I move amendment No. 10:In page 14, lines 4 and 5, to delete “in a collective agreement” and substitute “in collective agreements”. Members had a brief exchange on this matter on Committee Stage and I seek reassurance that this legislation will not render null and void other agreements outside of the Lansdowne Road agreement. There was some discussion on Committee...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I thank the Minister for his clarification on the sectoral arrangements. I do not doubt that dealing with such a body of workers is complicated by definition. I raised the issue in relation to section 4 for the following reason. I acknowledge the Minister and his predecessor negotiated with trade unions but it was always on the understanding, or the threat, that agreement would be reached-----

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I stand corrected. The Minister is right. I apologise for that misrepresentation of his predecessor. In any event, in the Minister's case, it was a matter of negotiating on the absolute understanding that in the absence of agreement, he would legislate. There are echoes of this in section 4. Can the Minister confirm that in amending the 2013 FEMPI legislation, he is providing for an...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: I move amendment No. 11:In page 14, line 6, after "2013" to insert "or in a sectoral agreement".

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: On the positive side of the ledger, it should be acknowledged there is a level of pay relief for low and middle-income public and civil servants. While modest, it is welcome. As I said earlier, it is not going to lead to a life of luxury or excess for any of those individuals concerned. When faced with that proposition, I understand why individual workers and their unions backed the...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: No. Income over €110,000 in three stages will be fully restored. That is what the law states.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Report Stage (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: That will come as a surprise to many.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Freedom of Information Data (18 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: 42. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of freedom of information requests made to the National Asset Management Agency; of the number submitted, the number that were denied or rejected; the reasons for their denial or rejection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40613/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pensions Expenditure (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: 2. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will set out in monetary terms the income, including pension-related benefits, to be reinstated to current and former Ministers under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill, FEMPI, 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40796/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pensions Expenditure (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Yesterday, as we debated the FEMPI legislation, I brought forward amendments that would allow the Minister the opportunity to ensure serving and former Ministers would not enjoy a pay or pension bonanza under it and he refused to accept them. My question today is for him to set out in monetary terms the extent of this payback for serving and, most particularly, former Ministers, taoisigh,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pensions Expenditure (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: Of course, the commitment in respect of serving Ministers is not set out in the legislation; it is voluntary in nature but never mind that. How will Mr. Brian Cowen, former Taoiseach, who is currently struggling manfully on a pension of €134,000 fare or John Bruton, former Taoiseach, on a pension of €126, 000? What of "We have it so we will spend it", former Minister for...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Public Sector Pensions Expenditure (19 Nov 2015)

Mary Lou McDonald: The Minster deems it appropriate in a time of emergency, as his legislation sets out, to reinstate and to bump up those disgraceful pension levels.