Results 13,461-13,480 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I wish to make a final point on the matter. I will give some detail if the Deputy wishes by way of a further supplementary question of the reasoning in this particular instance why I thought a compelling case was made.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy will be surprised to hear that I do not disagree with much of what he said. Ministers work for considerably less than the original threshold, as opposed to the extended rate. A business case was made for a company that has real challenges. We need the right person to drive it and it is important for the health service to have a functioning VHI that does the business well as we...

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The basic salary was €312,000. Deputy Boyd Barrett is talking about the final salary with add-ons and bonuses, which I suppose I should add in to be accurate in the total quantum of money. As the Deputy is aware, we are not paying bonuses to anyone in the State sector now. This is a work in progress. We are making decisions. We must have a debate about it. I am under pressure...

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is a worthy issue for debate. Perhaps we will have an opportunity to debate it in the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Wallace should be careful in talking about salary levels.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have every confidence in Deputy Wallace.

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I do not wish to focus on any individual. I wish to speak about the general principle, namely, that we must have moderation at a time of great difficulty for a huge swathe of the population. That applies to all of us. I do not wish to make any comment about Deputy Wallace but all of us must be mindful of how our actions are perceived. I am conscious of that when I make decisions on pay...

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The gross annual salaries applicable to Deputies and Senators were reduced, as were salary rates for public servants, under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. The gross annual salaries for a Deputy and a Senator amount to €92,672 and €65,621, respectively. When account is taken of the application of the pension related deduction, PRD, the net rates...

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy mentioned rhetoric. The current salary scales for Deputies and Senators are linked to the principal officer grade in the public service and are fair. There is a provision for a waiver. If the Deputy believes that her salary is too high, I will arrange for a waiver form to be submitted to her. It would save the State a certain amount.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We have.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Yes.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: There are legislative difficulties with isolating any group of people. We could probably reach a collective view in the Houses about volunteering for the cut without people running down to the courts to take a constitutional case on having their group isolated for a pay cut. Populism is a factor, as the Deputy understands, and she would have something to say about any salary scale. For...

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: No. The Judiciary was not isolated. It is very important that the Deputy understand. The same pay cut that applied proportionately to every member of the public service could not be applied to the Judiciary until-----

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: -----we held a referendum to allow for it. The only basis for the referendum's constitutionality was that judges would be treated exactly the same as everyone else. This is an important point. As the Deputy is anxious to give a signal, I will ensure she can give one by waiving her own salary to whatever level she likes. I will arrange for her to have that opportunity.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Not to mention expenses.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am sure that the Deputy does.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: No, I give the replies.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: People should pay their taxes.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: A number of questions were asked and I hope the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will allow me to answer them. Deputy Clare Daly never ceases to astound me. She has the brass neck to enter the Chamber in the teeth of a storm and when she is claiming expenses hand over fist-----

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is almost like accusing the police for the crime. It beggars belief, but nothing surprises me about the Deputy.