Results 11,601-11,620 of 32,864 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Retirements (13 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: There are certain groups of employees in the public service who, due to the nature of their work, are currently required to retire early. Members of An Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Force, Firefighters and Prison Officers are the constituent groups in this category, which are collectively referred to as the uniformed pension fast accrual group. These public servants...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Communications (13 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: This is not a matter for my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Matters in relation to the Strategic Communications unit are for the Department of Taoiseach in the first instance.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As previously outlined to the Deputy in response to his parliamentary question on this matter in September and at other points, I will bring forward a review of the capital plan that will highlight some key themes which will closely inform and be incorporated into the analysis leading to finalisation of the new ten-year plan for public capital investment for the period from 2018 to 2027. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We will go ahead with a capital plan once the input from the current consultation on the current draft plan is assessed and if any of it is taken on board. As for what the capital plan will look like, as Deputy Calleary is aware, the planning framework highlights a number of cities at present and beyond that, the framework will be influenced and led by regional assemblies. I do not...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme Review (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: There are two learnings that I have taken from the Luas cross-city project. The first is that if one has a State body that is led strongly with the right expertise in place and with a really clear mandate that is supported politically by its line Department, it can deliver complex projects on time and under budget. It is worth emphasising that Luas cross-city is a light rail project that,...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I would urge the Deputy to hold his fire with regard to public transport until he sees the plan. He has already made up his mind even though the plan has not been published yet. He has many powers but I did not realise that he had the ability to read my mind.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We might ask the Deputy to make some other predictions for the new year.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I urge the Deputy to wait until the plan is published before he makes his mind up on the nature of investment contained therein. I have said on a number of occasions that I recognise the value of public transport. However, I also must recognise that there are multiple reasons for going ahead with road projects. Much as I would like it to be, public transport cannot be the answer to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I want our country to do better on climate change. The national planning framework will not reference capital projects. It is not its role to do so, rather it is the role of the capital plan. The capital plan will make provision for how we can do better in responding to the challenge of climate change and that is something we need to do. As the Deputy is well aware, the long-term...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Climate Change Policy (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will no doubt be aware – I am sure he has welcomed it – we have just had the opening of Luas Cross City this week. That is an example of the kind of public transport of which we need more. I am aware of the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly, but the assembly has the ability to consider each item in isolation whereas I do not. I have to pull everything...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5, 9 and 18 together. As specified in section 43(3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the Information Commissioner is fully independent in the performance of his functions, including those under section 44 of the Act. I have reviewed this area and I have no plans to amend the Act to allow for a Minister to instruct the commissioner in this regard....

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Wallace and I have that in common anyway. On his point in relation to a freedom of information request, there is an economic cost involved in meeting freedom of information requests. I am sure what the Department told the Deputy is correct, that it would take four civil servants that period of time to meet his request which means there is other work that cannot be done by them....

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I cannot comment on the particular incident that the Deputy has referred to in relation to NAMA because I am not aware of it. I cannot comment on something unless I have more information on it. By and large, public bodies should be retaining all of their records that support decisions, either in relation to individuals or policy matters. However, it is the case, certainly at political...

Other Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As I said, I will not comment on the NAMA matter that Deputy Wallace has raised with me until I have more information on it and I can see was that decision taken and why. When I have had a look at that, I will be in a position to comment better on the matter.

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will be aware that last week the Government decided to increase the compulsory retirement age from 65 to 70 for public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004. I announced this on Wednesday last with the Ministers of State, Deputies O'Donovan and Moran. The decision to remain at work beyond the age of 65 will be completely voluntary on the part of the employee. There will be no...

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: If I came in here and told the Deputy that I am going to create a socialist republic in which the means of production are owned by every citizen of Ireland and would guarantee basic State income for everyone, it would not be good enough for him. This is a progressive measure that has been well recognised, appreciated and noted by unions, those they represent and civil and public servants...

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The chances of a socialist republic coming about will always be significantly reduced by the unwillingness of the Deputy and those in his party to take any position of responsibility or to ever seek to enter office to better those whom we represent and take the inevitable consequences involved in holding public office. I do not know who the Deputy is looking at over here when he speaks...

Other Questions: Public Service Retirement Age (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not a member of any establishment. I represent the people of Dublin Central. I do not represent the 1% of which the Deputy speaks. I am trying to make good decisions, which involve compromise, for the betterment of all. This is a sensible decision. The Deputy is right that there will be changes in the retirement age between 2021 and 2028. This is about ensuring that we have a State...

Other Questions: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The particular work of these organisations in the community and voluntary sector is greatly appreciated, particularly in light of their commitment, dedication and hard work. The organisations deliver a wide array of much-needed support services at community level to a very varied range of users on a day-to-day basis throughout the year. The Deputy will be aware, however, that the...

Other Questions: Voluntary Sector Remuneration (14 Dec 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: On foot of the Deputy raising this matter, I asked the Department to do some work for me to tell me how much funding goes to section 39 organisations and what has been the trend in that funding over the past few years. I also asked for an update on whether organisations implemented pay reductions that were consistent with the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, and if...