Results 13,981-14,000 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: -----a range of other matters. As the Deputy knows, the heads of the Bill have been approved by the Government and we are awaiting drafting. In terms of freedom of information, one of the objectives of the amendment is to undo the narrowing of the terms of the freedom of information legislation which Fianna Fáil enacted.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We intend to have that Bill before the House as soon as possible.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Which Bill?

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: With regard to the freedom of information Bill, the practice I have adopted with the suite of legislation is to refer the heads to an appropriate Oireachtas committee so we can have a robust debate. It is a matter for the House to deal with the broadening and deepening of our democracy, and I intend to proceed with that. The commitment in the programme for Government goes much beyond simply...

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: A great deal of discussion and analysis is ongoing within the Government regarding the property tax. It is expected the announcement will be part of the Budget Statement and the legislation will be subsequent to it. How and when it comes into effect will be a matter to be announced by the Minister for Finance and its interaction with existing legislation will be outlined by the Minister. ...

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am unaware of when the Minister will bring the proposal to the Cabinet.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Reform of the inspectorate regime has been promised. Work is ongoing and the legislation will be introduced next year.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy mentioned the amalgamation of detention schools. The legislation will be next year.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I appreciate what the Deputy says and the issue was raised yesterday on the Order of Business. It is not scheduled for this session but I will bring the Deputy's deep concerns to the attention of the Minister.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The road traffic Bill is on the schedule for next year. I understand from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport that he is hopeful that it might be published before the end of this year. The heads of the Bill have not yet come to the Government. I am unaware of any promised legislation relating to the social insurance fund.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: That will be early next year.

Order of Business (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The risk equalisation legislation was cleared at the Cabinet yesterday and should be published imminently.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Property Valuations (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act 2001 and the making of valuations for rating is his sole prerogative and local authorities have no functions in this regard. The appointment of officers to carry out the valuation of properties is the function of the Commissioner which he exercises under his powers of delegation set out in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question the following table shows the number of payments issued by my Department to suppliers in respect of the supply of goods and services splitting the payments, as requested,between those issued within 30 days of receipt of the invoice; between 30 and 60 days of receipt of the invoice; between 60 and 90 days of receipt of the invoice; between 90 and 120...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Parliamentary Questions Numbers (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am not aware that any study has been carried out into the cost of members putting Parliamentary Questions to Dáil Eireann or the cost to the Exchequer of answering Parliamentary Questions. Whether such a study would produce meaningful financial information is debatable. The cost of answering a Parliamentary Question and indeed the time taken to answer all questions will vary...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consultancy Contracts (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The following tables sets out the expenditure on consultancy services by my Department in 2011* and to date in 2012. Every effort is made to minimize costs in this area but, from time to time, certain specialist skills and expertise are required. Year Name of consultancy company Nature of work Fees to each consultant Advertised 2012 The Innovation Value Institute N.U.I Maynooth IT...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Legal Costs (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: My Department was established in 2011. Expenditure in relation to any legal advice sought from 2008 to December 2010 is covered by material provided by the Department of Finance. In respect of 2011 and to date in 2012 the following is the position: Year Name Fees paid Nature of the work If Advertised 2012 Richard Humphries, Senior Counsel 43,404.55 Legal Consultancy Yes 2012 Ciara...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Consultancy Contracts (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The following is a list of all companies or persons providing an external professional service to my Department such as ICT, legal advice, advertising, project management and including any other external professional service not listed; the amount invoiced by each company to my Department over the past 12 months Person or Company Amount invoiced over past 12 months. DQ Networks...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I have made a small change to the amendment we discussed on 4 October. While the whole text of amendment No. 19 has been substituted, the only change made in the new amendment No. 19 concerns the new subsection (11). I will explain the amendment in full. There are three parts to the amendment, the first of which provides for regular reporting between the Ombudsman and Oireachtas, with the...

Seanad: Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (17 Oct 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Senators for their contributions. I was keen to ensure the establishment of the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions. During the negotiations on the programme for Government, it was my view that the committee should have much greater powers than is currently the case and would, if one likes, act as a clearing house for formal Oireachtas inquiries....