Results 15,561-15,580 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Issues (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware, following public servants non-acceptance of the measures proposed by the Labour Relations Commission, the Government has requested the CEO of the LRC to make contact with the parties to establish whether or not there is a basis for a negotiated agreement to meet budgetary targets. The Government will reflect on the outcome of this process before coming to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Schools Refurbishment (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland are in the process of appointing a team of specialists to develop a solution to the problems being presented by the type of roof on this school.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Yes, it may well be. Depending on the outcome of the tendering process, there might be no transfer of employees. Everybody would be pleased with that, but I cannot prejudice what might be the outcome of the discussions. We have been anxious to be very clear with a number of key stakeholders throughout this process. Obviously, we wish to have a robust new lottery regime and to protect the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: We had a long debate in the Lower House on this matter. I understand the very legitimate case put as to why we should establish any body unless there is a compelling need for it. We thought long and hard about it. Under this legislation we are asking people to make a bid for a robust contribution to the State. They will want to ensure that the licence will operate in accordance with the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: How very cruel.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: We had much discussion in the other House on this issue and I have given it a fair deal of consideration. The points made are very reasonable. I am not in the business of setting up any entity for the sake of it, but I am convinced by the argument put to us by my advisers and by the specialist advisers we brought in that this is the best way to go. I have no wish to hang my hat entirely in...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I have nothing further to add. A coherent defence of the proposal has been made.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: This is a new regime and the Minister will not deal with these matters. The regulator and the operator under the Bill, when enacted, will be amenable to the Oireachtas.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I agree entirely. It will not just be a matter of the Minister being on his or her guard but also the Oireachtas. There will be an annual report and the regulator can be called in and questioned. It will be the job of the Oireachtas to ensure this will work. This section obliges the regulator and its staff to disclose any pecuniary or beneficial interest they may have in a matter which...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: There is no legal prohibition in that regard as long as it is understood. If there is a conflict of interest, it is something we could consider. We do not have to include it in the base legislation, but we can consider it as part of the guidelines to be given to the regulator.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Senator made a very valid point. It is something I would prefer not to deal with in the base legislation but in the licence. Let me consider it. If the Senator tables an amendment on Report Stage I will tell him what the best way of dealing with the issue is.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: This section relates to the funding of the regulator's office. It will work in conjunction with section 24. It provides that the Minister may advance to the regulator what is essentially a loan which the regulator shall repay with interest. The Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, I am afraid, take the pound of flesh.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I understand the views and the passion with which they are held. I have explained the genesis of this. It is no knee-jerk reaction. We have thought it out very carefully from the time it was first explored. In the preparation for the capital programme we examined how we can provide the capital infrastructure we need. I have just come from a meeting earlier today with the European...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Let me go back to first principles again. This licence is due to be renewed. We have to tender for the licence in any event. We could do it in the traditional way we have done it to date or we can do it in an upfront payment way. I am a social democrat, as Senators know, but I do not regard business and making a profit as a dirty occupation. Obviously whoever is successful in this will...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: What collateral do I have?

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Am I to extract an annual payment to pay it back?

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am not going to turn myself and my Department into a gambling operator. Steady on, please. This has to be done in a regulated and measured way. Having a professional operator who has competence operating within the regime is a much better way of doing it. I am exploring every avenue to get capital to invest in the economy. Today we had very good talks with the president of the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: With all due respect, we have had external experts shape this legislation. If we get a substantial up-front payment of cash which I can turn into a national children’s hospital and have more to invest in other capital projects, it will get some of the 200,000 of the 250,000 construction workers who lost their jobs and are still on the live register back into work. Also, a national...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I will do my best not to be discordant, but it is hard to listen to a Fianna Fáil Senator claim I have had to cut the capital budget. Why did I have to do so? It is because the country the Government inherited is broke.

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Committee Stage (30 Apr 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I have to respond in kind. Yes, I did reduce the public capital programme.