Results 13,481-13,500 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I will answer it directly if the Deputy stops berating.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy is right to be very sensitive on this matter, as she has a brass neck and has been found out. I am reviewing all allowances, including the leader's allowance, because we need solidarity and fairness in these matters. We will table the proposals in the context of the changes to be implemented through the budget. I hope people will apply carefully. Even where allowances exist,...

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government's budgetary strategy is not one of austerity. On the contrary, we are borrowing significant sums of money to sustain the State and to protect the living standards of its citizens. We have extended the time available to the State to reach its 3% deficit target from that originally agreed with the troika. That means we are still borrowing 3% of GDP and not paying our way even...

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy wills misfortune on us because she thrives in that milieu. I will be clear: the basic economics are simple; we cannot spend more than we take in. We were doing this hand over fist. This year we are borrowing 8.6% of GDP to meet day-to-day expenses. Approximately one quarter goes towards bank debt repayment, but three quarters goes on paying gardaí, nurses and so on. The only...

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Where would we get it?

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: What are the targets?

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am not sure if there was a question asked, but there was a rant without giving data. The Deputy may talk about a wealth tax-----

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: -----a progressive tax system or something else. I will cost any proposal given to me, as I did last year. This means people cannot throw out the line that there are billions of euro available here and there.

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: A notion is peddled by some that there is a soft option and a rich cohort of people and that if we could only get to them, all our woes would be over. That is to peddle a falsehood.

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is for party political reasons that such a falsehood is peddled.

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I will certainly look at any suggestion from the Nevin institute or proposal from any quarter that-----

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am giving the Deputies an open invitation. I will have any suggestion they present for taxation measures costed to see if it would have an impact in order that we can have as fair and balanced a journey as possible. We will have a difficult time balancing the income of the State to maintain decent levels of social provision.

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The estimated breakdown of employee numbers on a whole time equivalent basis (based on a whole time equivalent figure of 300,000) by salary range within the public service (excluding Commercial State Companies) in 2011 is set out in the Table. Pay Parameters Numbers €0-€20,000 19,442 €20,001-€30,000 26,749 €30,001-€40,000 66,504 €40,001-€50,000 68,935...

Written Answers — National Lottery: National Lottery (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, I announced on 4th April 2012 that the Government has decided to hold a competition for the next National Lottery licence and that the licence will be for a 20 year period. The ongoing provision of a fixed percentage of annual lottery turnover for good causes will be a condition of the licence. As I announced on 4th April, this percentage is to be retained at 30.5%...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am aware that public procurement can be an important source of business for local enterprises. Current guidelines known as Circular 10/10 issued by my Department require public bodies to promote participation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the award of public contracts. Circular 10/10 sets out positive measures that contracting authorities are to take to promote SME involvement in...

Written Answers — Public Sector Allowances: Public Sector Allowances (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have had no discussions with union representatives in respect of reducing the cost of public sector allowances. As the Deputy is aware from my previous replies in relation to the review of allowances and premia payments, most recently, PQ number 28292/12 on the 15th June 2012, I expect to be in a position to bring proposals to Government shortly in relation to the findings of the review....

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy will be aware of the significant commitments given in the Programme for Government to restore the Freedom of Information Act, to extend its remit to other public bodies including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána, subject to security exceptions and to extend the Act to ensure that all statutory bodies, and all bodies significantly funded from the public purse, are...

Written Answers — Budget Timetable: Budget Timetable (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is the case that the budgetary processes of all EU member states, including Ireland, are being influenced to an increasing extent by requirements at a European level. The introduction of a European semester in 2011 for example has led to the publication of the annual Stability Programme Update in April of each year. The purpose of these new arrangements is to allow for a more intensive...

Written Answers — Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 21 together. As the Deputy may be aware my proposals for the protection of whistleblowers contained in the General Scheme of the Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest Bill were referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform for their views. Following a number of meetings with key interest groups and...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government has reaffirmed the key commitments under the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 in relation to pay and job security for serving public servants. These commitments are contingent on delivery of the necessary flexibilities and reforms to public service delivery that are required under the Agreement. The Budget process has outlined the Exchequer expenditure programme for 2012 and...