Results 1,501-1,520 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

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

Billy Kelleher: We had to have discussions with the European Commission as well because of the fact-----

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

Billy Kelleher: -----there is a services directive, inter alia, as well as the Treaty of Rome. We had to get some guidance to ensure we were not in conflict with EU directives as regards the free movement of goods and services etc., so it took some time to get clarity on those issues. However, we believe a Bill is in place that is not in conflict with the EU, which at the same time will provide strong...

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

Billy Kelleher: Reference was made-----

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

Billy Kelleher: I refer to the remarks made by Deputy Ferris. When he leaves the House he will be clear about the Government's view of protecting workers' pay and conditions. He referred to the inability to pay clause in the area of EROs and REAs. There is already an inability to pay clause in the minimum wage. It has not been invoked or used and we are hopeful that will always be the case and that the...

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

Billy Kelleher: We wish to secure an economy that can support that wage level. Such decisions are made elsewhere but this is my view and it is also a wider societal issue. I refer to the broader issue which is important. It appears there is a move to push for a race to the bottom but nothing could be further from the truth. The idea of an inability to pay clause is that in the event of a business or...

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

Billy Kelleher: -----under pressure for a short duration, a mechanism is in place whereby in consultation and discussion with all interested parties, an arrangement may be reached for a period to allow those concerned to get over a hump or difficulty. That is the only purpose of the consideration of an inability to pay clause. People should focus on what it is trying to achieve, that is, to protect...

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

Billy Kelleher: I commend the Bill to the House.

Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Referral to Select Committee (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Road Traffic Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Only if one is getting on a scooter.

Written Answers — International Agreements: International Agreements (2 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: EU relations with Colombia are conducted in the framework of regional relations between the EU and the Andean Community, comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. In 2007, negotiations aimed at concluding a comprehensive Association Agreement between the EU and the Andean Community were formally launched. Such Agreements cover all facets of relations between the EU and these...

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: Job creation is at the top of the Government's agenda. It is the driving force behind so much of our work in stabilising the public finances and getting the banking system working again. It is the reason at a time when there is a significant current budget deficit, we are continuing to invest so heavily in our capital programme, in building necessary infrastructure and investing so much in...

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: That was a very important first step in making sure we did not have a systemic run on the banks and economic meltdown in Ireland. We moved on to nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank but, importantly, we also had a capitalisation programme for the two major banks, following which Mazars prepared an analysis of lending to SMEs. We are aware that businesses are finding it difficult to access...

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: It would require significant foreign direct investment to create 7,500 jobs. The live register figure for February shows there has been a stabilisation of job losses. While it might be said it is at a high figure, we must welcome the fact there has been stabilisation. Last year 26,000 jobs were lost in February and 30,000 in January. Twelve months on, while there has been a major rise in...

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: ——but equally I heard very little commentary five or six years' ago that we should have slowed down the process. Every party's view was that we should further reduce taxation on property development. They were advocating the creation of a further inflationary bubble in an already over-inflated market——

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: ——and then the commentators said it had been foreseen by everybody. The fact is it was not foreseen by anyone. None of the international organisations monitoring various economies or independent observers highlighted it.

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: I am not waffling.

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: If Senator Phelan looks back——

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: ——at any of the commentary from the IMF, the OECD and the European Union, it can be seen that very few foresaw what would happen which culminated in financial meltdown across the world in 2008. It will have to be dealt with on a transnational basis. It would be very difficult for the Government on its own to deal with the fallout from an international credit crisis. It has to be dealt...

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: This should be part of our longer-term strategy. We must be conscious of the continuing need to promote Ireland as a centre of excellence for learning, which is something that has come under attack in recent days. The Minister for Education and Science has announced that the perceived dumbing down of diplomas and other third level qualifications will be investigated. While I do not accept...

Seanad: Job Creation: Statements (3 Mar 2010)

Billy Kelleher: And Deputy Mary O'Rourke.