Results 11,461-11,480 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011 — An Dara Céim / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011 — Second Stage (15 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Yes.

School Staffing (15 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Deputy Bannon for raising this issue, as it gives those of us on the Government benches an opportunity to clarify the position. The Minister, Deputy Quinn, and the Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, are attending the IVEA conference in Cork today and the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, is out of the country on Government business. They apologise for not being present and I have...

School Staffing (15 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy, as a Member on the Government side, understands the pressure the Government is under in delivering all public services. I will pass on his views to the Minister for Education and Skills. He should know the school is included in the DEIS programme and continues to receive very significant enhanced supports. A schools building project to provide a new school on the existing site...

Pension Provisions (15 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The topic submitted pertained to reductions in Civil Service numbers. Therefore, my prepared notes relate to a topic entirely different from that raised but I am very happy to address the one raised. We need to tackle these issues face-on. I do not want to personalise the matter and take the Ceann Comhairle's admonition in that regard, but let me deal with the specifics. In 1987, the Top...

Pension Provisions (15 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I thank both Deputies. I do not want to give any illusion that we will not have other instances between now and February. I do not know whether any senior civil servants are contemplating retiring and if they have a contractual arrangement, I may not be able to dislodge it. I have asked for advice on this. As I stated, I will not make false promises nor will I accrue legal costs to...

Pension Provisions (15 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The State covers its own costs but if it loses a case, it covers the costs of the other party and I am afraid these can be considerable.

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (15 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The administration of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The ECCE provides a universal entitlement to a free pre-school year for children aged between three years three months and four years six months on 1 September each year. Funding of the ECCE is a matter for the Minister for...

Departmental Appointments (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: They were not talking about founding another party.

Departmental Appointments (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: From Deputy McDonald.

Departmental Appointments (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I answered a written question on that matter today.

Departmental Appointments (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Yes, he does.

Freedom of Information (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: It is an administrative procedure.

Freedom of Information (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The system is as it always was.

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: It is an amazing amount for six months.

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: She should propose a question for answer by the Taoiseach.

Programme for Government (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: This is a political speech.

An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Tá sé as Gaeilge agus as Béarla.

An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Deputy Catherine Murphy for the amendment and for the clear exposition of her position. I regret that I did not have a chance to respond to Second Stage, the way it fell last week. I want to say a few words about the genesis of this proposal. Anybody who knows me over time will be aware that I am interested in the development of Parliament and the re-balancing of the powers of...

An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: What specifically are they?

An Bille um an Tríochadú Leasú ar an mBunreacht (Fiosruithe Thithe an Oireachtais) 2011: Céim an Choiste agus na Céimeanna a bheidh Fágtha / Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Sep 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I have specifically designed this in order that it cannot be a numbers game. However, we cannot have the tyranny of the minority either. The tyranny of the majority is one thing, but the notion that a 10% minority could overrule a 90% majority is worse because it would be a negation of fundamental democracy. The construct of this inquiry system is taking away from the Government. I...