Results 15,601-15,620 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Programmes (1 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Projects to baseline Finance Management and Banking services administered by the Civil Service commenced in November 2012 and are now nearing completion. Final baseline reports for the two projects have yet to be submitted to the Programme Board who, on the basis of the findings, will make recommendations on whether to proceed to the business case phase. The baseline reports provide...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Programmes (1 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The baseline report on banking services administered by the Civil Service has yet to be submitted to the Programme Board overseeing the project and thus, the scope remains unchanged from that set out at the start of the project. The banking processes in scope include Treasury Management, Payment File Processing, Lodgements, Payable Orders, Receipts and Reconciliations. The bodies in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Issues (1 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together. 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...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (2 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Reform of public procurement is one of the major projects of key strategic importance in the Government’s Public Service Reform Plan, which was published in November 2011. Procurement of supplies and services accounts for around €9 billion of current spending by the State per annum. This represents a very significant portion of overall spending and it is, therefore, essential...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Expenditure (2 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Responsibility for the actual administration of public service schemes is spread over a number of Departments and agencies. For example, the HSE deals with health sector pensions, the Department of Defence manages pensions for members of the Defence Forces, and the Department of Education and Science handles those of primary and secondary school teachers. The Department of Public Expenditure...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (7 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that the nature of the property portfolio of my Department and those under my aegis, at this time, are not impacted by the introduction of the Multi Unit Development Act 2011.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Sale of State Assets (7 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware, Coillte and its assets have come under consideration as part of the State assets disposal programme, which is being undertaken as part of our commitments under the EU/ECB/IMF funding programme and with a view to generating resources for additional investment in job creation initiatives in the economy. The Government has, nevertheless, explicitly ruled-out the...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Senator Thomas Byrne for tabling the amendment and giving me the opportunity, as I have done repeatedly on Second and Committee Stages, to assure the House that the contractual rights of the employees of the current national lottery will be fully protected. As I indicated previously, my officials have had discussions regarding the staff of the national lottery with the company itself...

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I thank Senator Thomas Byrne for tabling this and the series of related amendments which go to the heart of whether a regulator should be established. For this process, the Minister is the regulator and will remain the regulator until the new office is established. As I indicated, the original Government decision on the approach to the next lotto licence was formulated at the end of 2011....

Seanad: National Lottery Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (7 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I thank all contributors. I believe this to be the fifth time I have been in this House to discuss the lottery. While there are a great many highly significant issues under my Department's remit, it is interesting that this matter has taken a considerable time. I commend people on that, as it is important that due diligence be done. In addition, the last time I was in this Chamber,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery Licence Sale (8 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in April 2012 that there will be a competition for the next National Lottery licence. It is envisaged that the competition will commence shortly. I have advised retailer representative bodies that it is my intention to safeguard the existing rates of commission paid to retailers under the terms of the next licence. Section 27(2)(c) of the National...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Expenditure (8 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Office of Public Works (OPW) is not aware of any incidences of flooding on the River Slaney apart from the incidence last month in the environs of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. A full report on this flood event is being prepared by RPS Consulting and it will be considered in the context of the detailed consideration of the South-East Catchment Flood Risk Assessment & Management...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Stations Refurbishment (8 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The former Ballyragget Garda Station is in the process of being formally handed over by the Garda authorities to the Commissioners of Public Works. Security and maintenance requirements (new locks, etc), pending a decision on the future of the property, are currently being assessed.

Leaders' Questions (9 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy has a brass neck.

Leaders' Questions (9 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Dooley should come down off his soap box.

Leaders' Questions (9 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Dooley should fall off his soap box.

Topical Issue Debate: Croke Park Agreement Review (9 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Did the Deputy participate?

Topical Issue Debate: Croke Park Agreement Review (9 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Deputies will be aware that an implementation body was established in 2010 to oversee implementation of the provisions of the Croke Park or public service agreement. The body is independently chaired by Mr. P. J. Fitzpatrick and comprises representatives of all the parties to the agreement, the public service trade unions and public service management. The body is supported in its work by a...

Topical Issue Debate: Croke Park Agreement Review (9 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy has rightly acknowledged that we have a very small group of people who are working in support of the implementation body to produce these reports. They certainly have been fully occupied in the negotiations on an extension of the Croke Park agreement. The Deputy has understood the point well that the objective I set out to achieve on behalf of the Government in last year's budget...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Child Care Services Provision (9 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Tetra Ireland Limited was granted a licence in 2008 for the installation of telecommunications equipment on the mast at the former Garda Station in Finglas. The licence facilitated the roll-out of Digital Radio for An Garda Síochána and other Emergency Services. The licence agreement requires 12 months notice by the Commissioners of Public Works to Tetra Ireland Limited to...