Results 1,181-1,200 of 15,268 for speaker:Kathleen Lynch

Labour Inspectorate. (4 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Question 13: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of labour inspectors currently employed by the labour inspectorate of his Department; the number of labour inspectors currently available for assignment on normal duties; the number of labour inspectors currently in training following recruitment; the status of the recruitment campaign to increase the labour...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (4 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Question 39: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost and timescale and the methods he will use to ensure delivery on time and on budget for each line item of the Programme for Government under his portfolio not already part of his Department's plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18596/07]

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Hogan and I sat on the Opposition benches when the principal Act was taken through Committee Stage. Civil servants write speeches for Ministers, but the least Ministers can do is ensure accuracy. Insurance companies did not reduce their costs as a result of the PIAB's establishment. Those costs had already fallen as a result of the intensive scrutiny of...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: No matter how wealthy or poor we are, all we can rely on is the protection of the law. If we forget this, our democracy is in serious trouble. The amending Bill to the legislation will try to remove that protection. It will be challenged because it is constitutionally unsound. The PIAB's chairperson was impressive when it was established, but had I been the claims manager of Iarnród...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: If the Minister answers those questions honestly, his attitude should be different.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Then why is this Bill being introduced?

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Yes.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: That is exactly our concern.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: If only the Minister had such power.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: That can be dealt with by other means.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Does that figure relate to 40,000 or 5,000 cases?

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Is the Minister referring to 40,000 or 5,000?

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: The Minister could not do it from Cork.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Naturally.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Second Stage (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: They have been reduced, yes.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Few people challenge the Chair's rulings in respect of amendments because they are clear and obvious. In this case it is not clear because there is only a potential charge on the State.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: There is an argument to be made in support of both amendments that have been tabled. The first amendment would not involve a charge on the Exchequer because we must assume that when people go to court they will win their cases. One cannot automatically assume that they will lose. I do not understand how the Chair has reached this conclusion and I do not understand the argument.

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Is the possibility that there might not be a charge on the Exchequer taken into consideration?

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: I think we should clarify our position on section 1 of the Bill, though the Minister has done his best to distort it. We sought a body such as the PIAB for years and, as in the case of the small claims court, its establishment was welcomed by all sides. An efficient structure was required for dealing with personal injuries claims and the PIAB has benefited many, including 35,000 individuals...

Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (5 Jul 2007)

Kathleen Lynch: Yes.