Results 1,481-1,500 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (24 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: The order of preferential payments in the winding up of a company is set out at section 285 of the Companies Act 1963 as amended.

Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Is the Deputy upset because Deputy Kenny is in Mayo?

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I welcome the comments from Deputies this morning and in the previous debate we had three weeks ago. Based on those contributions, there is broad agreement for the thrust of the Bill. As it flows through this House and meanders through the parliamentary process we look forward to listening to the contributions of all Deputies on Committee and Report Stages and thereafter of the Members of...

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: The contrary was the case. Nobody could accuse the EU of trying to undermine workers rights. A strong body of legislation here has come about sometimes as a result of prompting from the EU. In the area of health and safety as well as across the board we have seen that the European Union is committed to the protection of human rights. I think the Deputy will accept there is not much use...

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: We shall see how it goes then, but we shall stay in here for as long as possible to ensure the policies we are pursuing-----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: We owe it to the people to fulfil our mandate. The policies we are implementing need to continue in the current difficult circumstances. We would be reneging on our duties if we went earlier than that. The code of conduct will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. That should clarify the matter. It is a voluntarist code, but there is a statutory code of conduct as well. It is...

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: About this time last year-----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: It is important to look at the facts. We were castigated for entertaining the discussions for too long.

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Discussions can take time, particularly when they are very complex, involving decisions-----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Discussions and partnership are about respecting everyone's view as opposed to the iron fist. We were trying to get consensus in dealing with the very difficult challenges facing the country. We were all aware of the pressures, with the enormous growing deficit and the world financial crisis feeding into grave instability in this country as well.

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: For that reason we wanted to give as much time to all the parties involved in social partnership to come up with solutions that might address all the difficulties that faced Ireland, not only in the context of-----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: -----the budget deficit, but also in regard to the difficulties we were facing with the financial crisis as well. These issues were all highly pressurised.

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I remind Deputies that some of the international commentary since this time last year has praised the decisions made by the Government in this regard.

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I am trying to be helpful to the Deputies opposite, but it is highly significant that the Government's initiatives have been acknowledged internationally, and this is enormously significant. There was a time when------

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: -----there was a great deal of innuendo around the world concerning the Irish economy-----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: -----and there was a feeding frenzy which was undermining the economy. In fairness, most people in this House were responsible, but----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: ------much of the commentary outside the House had an enormously damaging impact on the reputation of the economy. Happily and thankfully----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: ------as regards Ireland's reputation, we have turned the corner and it has been re-established. We must now ensure we continue with the policies that are accepted as necessary for getting back to a situation where the budget deficit is reined in, we bring competitiveness back into the economy and start to create employment opportunities again.

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: That is easier said than done, however. The overall situation as regards the Bill is that we cannot just take this in isolation. It is part of an overall corpus of legislation that is coming through the process. In the context of this particular Bill, while it took some time, it is important to realise that it required much discussion-----

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Some day Deputy English could be on this side of the House and he might reflect, in the event, that those words of wisdom from Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, were much appreciated.