Results 15,921-15,940 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Issues (29 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Under EU law, public contracts above a certain values must be advertised EU-wide and awarded to the most competitive tender in an open and objective process. The aim is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers value for money. It would be a breach of the rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: European Council Meetings (29 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The EU legislative issues for which my Department has responsibility during Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of Ministers relate to Cohesion Policy, Public Procurement and the Staff Regulations for EU officials. A total of ten legislative proposals are currently being dealt with under these headings. In the case of Cohesion Policy and the EU Staff Regulations, at Council level...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Parliamentary Questions Numbers (29 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that all replies to previous parliamentary questions asked by him in 2013 were completed without any need for undertakings to provide additional information.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I do not accept that a two-tier approach is being adopted in respect of the planned reduction in public service pensions over €32,500. The approach set out in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013 on this matter is in fact designed to ensure that the same broad level of pension reduction is applied in the case of each of the two groups of pensioners...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013 does not provide for reduction of fees in respect of the providers of professional services. Provision to adjust the fees of the providers of professional services to the State is made in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act, 2009. That Act also provides for an annual review of fees and the relevant...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Expenditure Reviews (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Stability Programme Update, published in April 2013, sets out medium term aggregate parameters for 2013-2016, which gives the fiscal framework for Budget 2014. With regard to savings to be made next year, my Department has requested that all Departments identify savings which will feed into the expenditure decisions by Government for the Estimates 2014 and the setting of future...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Budgets (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In the context of the forthcoming Budget, my Department has requested that all Departments identify savings which will feed into the expenditure decisions by Government for the Estimates 2014 and the setting of future Ministerial ceilings. The identification of savings options should ensure that a sufficient range of proposals are made by all Departments to help the Government make...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013 gives effect to the Government's proposals to reduce the remuneration of certain public servants on higher rates of pay in excess of €65,000, provide for a reduction in the amount of pension or other benefits, other than lump sums, payable to or in respect of certain persons who are or were in the public service under an...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: This is not self praise. I acknowledge the work done by numerous civil servants, who have fronted the bulk of the work on a remarkable level in recent months. While much is made of the significant remuneration rates at higher levels in the public service which were allowed to develop before the current fiscal crisis enveloped us all, my record as Minister since taking office in March 2011...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Other than core pay.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: They are all represented by the same trade union.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: What is the top?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: So €98,000 is not the top?

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Senator Cullinane should stop shouting people down.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: There are no cuts.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I welcome all the contributions from every side of the House. Each Member brings his or her own views, passionately and fairly held in all these debates. Obviously, I do not agree with them all. These are difficult times for everyone and it is difficult for me as a Labour Party Minister to bring this legislation to the House. It is the right thing by our country, however. Many Members...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Every Member of this House will have encountered considerable annoyance and a sense of grievance at people walking away from public life with fat pensions. In outlining some of the facts, I do not speak to the Fianna Fáil benches in any pointed way. It is interesting to consider the reductions for the current crop of politicians. In 2009, Brian Cowen earned €285,000 as...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Second Stage (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: There is no longer an enormous gap between the pensions enjoyed by some who walked away and those who are currently serving as their successors, which is interesting. I felt we needed to ask for an additional contribution from those who have decent pensions. I am formally advised that there are three constraints in cutting these pensions. It has been determined by the courts that pensions...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The amendment seeks to delete the definition of "increments" in section 1(2). It is a simple but essential element of the legislative proposal for increments in section 7. The Parliamentary Counsel has set out clearly what is the incremental scale and this cuts through much of the rhetoric about it. The legislation sets out an essential definition of "increments", which are dealt with...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (30 May 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I understand amendments Nos. 8, 9 and 26 are being discussed. Section 2B of the Bill provides that an existing power to fix terms and conditions may be exercised by the relevant employer or Minister of the Government so as to result in less favourable remuneration other than core salary or increased hours for the public servants concerned, notwithstanding any of the terms of any enactment,...