Results 14,341-14,360 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: Section 93(2), which relates to an application for a protective certificate in the context of a personal insolvency arrangement does not, unlike the corresponding provision in section 29(2), concerning DRNs, and section 59(2), concerning DSAs, mention any fee to be forwarded with the documents. The proposed amendment in paragraph (a) mirrors the DSA arrangement at section 59(2)....

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: This is a technical amendment to correct an error in the amendments to section 38 or the Courts of Justice Act 1936 which were made by section 64(e) of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011.

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I thank the Senator for proposing the amendment, which has given rise to the very important discussion that is taking place. The amendment was only made available a few days ago. I make no complaint about that because we have subjected the House to many amendments in the past where there has only been a short time to consider them. This is an issue in which I share the views expressed by...

Seanad: Courts Bill 2013: Committee Stage (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: We are dealing with criminal trials and we must be very careful. It is always easy to look at a proposed amendment and point out difficulties with it, and I am not trying to do this for gratuitous reasons. There is a difficulty with it. I have huge alarm bells ringing in respect of the wording of section 32(b)(1), which refers to a person who listens to and gives verbal or other support or...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I am pleased to appear before the select committee today and welcome the opportunity for positive engagement on all aspects of the Defence and Army Pensions Estimates for 2013. I propose to make a short opening statement, following which I will be happy to take questions from members. The combined Estimates for Defence and Army Pensions for 2013 will provide for gross expenditure of...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: In the context of the appropriations-in-aid figure, the out-turn in 2012 was €5.940 million and it is estimated in 2013 we will be spending €6 million. That is a slight increase. The subhead essentially provides receipts by way of appropriations-in-aid to the Army pension fund under the following headings: contributions to spouses' and children's pensions scheme by officers,...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: Yes. It is impossible to predict who might pass away in any one year, which might impact on the figures. The Estimate is frequently higher in some instances than the out-turn. This year, the out-turn will be higher than the Estimate and that is where we must supplement from within the Department of Defence Vote for any additional expenditure that might have to be incurred. Effectively we...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: At the start of the year, we provide funding by way of an Estimate. To date this year, some 60 personnel have retired on a pension. This is below the expected level.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: In dealing with retirement issues in particular, they cannot be predicted when dealing with the numbers in the Defence Forces. The number is affected by the number who may retire but at the appropriate moment we engage in recruitment and there will be recruitment this year, most likely in the second half of the year, to maintain strength. By the time we get through September, we will have a...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: It can vary. It is not unusual for people to retire after 15 or 20 years in the Defence Forces.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: There are historical reasons for that, it has been going on for some years. Numbers are difficult. Some people retired in anticipation of budgetary decisions that might have affected their pension had they retired at a lesser stage. Under the financial framework in place, there is a 14 month leeway period before anyone will be impacted. In 2008 there were 276 retirements on pension, 425...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: There has been a substantial reduction in the number of civilian staff in the Department of Defence over recent years. In 2008, there were 409, in 2009 there were 375, in 2010 there were 353 and in 2011 there were 247. The number now stands at 349. That is a small number for an entire Department that administers a pay scheme for the Defence Forces and deals with all levels of policy...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: We are maintaining our equipment capabilities. One of the interesting issues being further considered on the civil and military side is the joint acquisition of equipment. If we go into to the market as the Republic of Ireland looking for equipment for our Defence Forces, we may only need 30 or 35 vehicles of a particular type. However, if another state such as Sweden or Finland, for...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: Civilian employees in barracks in 2012 numbered 593. The other number I gave earlier related to the number of civilian employees in the Department.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: I gave those figures to the Deputy previously. In 2011, the figure was 347.74. The 0.74 represents someone working part-time. In 2012, the figure is 349.55, meaning an increase of one and a half employees, in people terms, between 2011 and 2012.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: First, let me deal with the naval side of things. I agree that what is going on in Haulbowline is fantastic. Commodore Mellett is doing a superb job down there. I visited the college very shortly after my appointment as Minister and spoke with many of the individuals involved in SMEs. It is something that I have particularly encouraged. We established something that did not exist when I...

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: That is effectively a nominal provision and we will have to see how it develops.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: It is not a new model.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: It is the HMG. I know from the discussions what is planned. I also know it is further assessing the need in that area.

Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Estimates for the Public Services 2013
Vote 35 - Army Pensions (Revised)
Vote 36 - Department of Defence (Revised) (26 Jun 2013)

Alan Shatter: Let me give the committee the update on that. One of the key initiatives in 2012 is to cater for the relocation of some 50 military personnel from Coláiste Caoimhín in Dublin to Newbridge. There are great benefits to be achieved by greater integration between the military and civil sides so there is greater connectivity. A spatial audit in Newbridge has been undertaken. Space has...