Results 1,501-1,520 of 26,396 for speaker:David Cullinane

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: They can be.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: It is the Minister, not Sinn Féin, who can lower salaries.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Is it so dreadful to employ someone?

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: That is ridiculous.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I pay child-minding expenses out of my salary.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: We have greedy Senators who take the lot pointing fingers at people who take others off the live register.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: They are champagne socialists.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Vótáil.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: A number of amendments related to this section have been ruled out of order, but I want to address some of the issues under the section. It would be helpful for all of us if we could put aside some of the earlier conversations and debate because they do not do justice to the issues. I hope the Minister accepts that. It would be better for all concerned if we stuck to-----

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Absolutely. I did not raise the issue - others did - but I will defend a position if it is raised.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: We do not moralise. We like to put things into a context to show where we come from on the issues. The Minister does not have to agree with us, but we believe in equity in pay.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: We believe in equity in pay. As a member of SIPTU, the Minister might accept that is a good position for someone to have when wanting to address differentials in pay. To return to section 10, concerns have been raised with us with regard to the six month provision which may adversely affect certain groups of workers, for example, women who leave the workplace for a period to look after their...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: There is consistency here and the example I gave was of women who might leave the workforce for a period to look after their children. There is a big difference between them and public representatives who get elected, lose their seats and, perhaps, get re-elected. There is a distinction there. There are certain categories or groups of people in certain circumstances for whom flexibility is...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 7: In page 20, lines 19 to 23, to delete subsection (2). This amendment deals with the imposition of a retirement age of 70, which we do not support. We do not agree with increasing the minimum retirement age from 65 to 67 or 68. Furthermore, the maximum age is a matter of choice. People should be able to make a decision as to whether they want to remain in the...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: I move amendment No. 8: In page 25, subsection (1)(a), line 9, to delete "year for the pension, and" and substitute the following: "year for the pension, that amounts to no more than €60,000, and". This group of amendments seeks to cap public sector pensions at €60,000. The majority of retired public sector workers - perhaps the Minister has the exact figure - are in receipt of an...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: First, I must respond to Senator Byrne. This is not about making politics. One could argue that any point made by a politician is making politics. The question is whether or not one believes that setting a cap is the right or wrong thing to do. Sinn Féin believe it is the right thing in this instance. I am conscious of the perception of public servants. It is for that reason that we...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: Exactly, but the Minister can change it. As in any legislation, the amendment will empower the Oireachtas to make those changes. To prevent the Government from having to come back each year to seek the consent of the Oireachtas to increase the pension entitlement, the Minister, if he accepted the principle of a cap, could link the cap to the consumer price index. That could be a way to do...

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: There is not a salary cap of €100,000.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: We do not have that.

Seanad: Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2012)

David Cullinane: We are dealing with the reality.