Results 17,481-17,500 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: We have spent three weeks at it now.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: People are confused with anything else but Fianna Fáil.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Senator is aware, there is provision in the Electoral Acts for the reimbursement of electoral expenses post facto. The purpose of the parliamentary allowances, which is what we are dealing with in this Bill, is to support Parliament and parliamentary activities. They are not intended to be used for electoral purposes nor should they be.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Could the Senator spare us that patronising tone? Nobody is feathering their own nest and none of us came into politics to do that. The Senator would take great umbrage if I made that suggestion about him so he should not make it about me or anybody else in the other House.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is also my view that to allow expenditure of the parliamentary activities allowance on electoral expenses, as proposed by the Senator, would almost certainly run foul of the Supreme Court judgement in the McKenna case.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I will give the Senator a direct quote from the McKenna judgement. The judgement stated that "no branch of the government is entitled to use taxpayers monies from the Central Fund to intercede with the democratic process either as to the voting process or as to the campaign prior to the vote". Using public moneys for campaigning is not allowed. Imagine the advantage Senator Norris would...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I will get a full briefing for the Senator. Did he apply for reimbursement in the presidential campaign?

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Senator Norris's amendments seek to remove the auditing requirement for qualifying Independent Members in receipt of parliamentary activities money. As I stated on Second Stage, with the increased scrutiny of all public expenditure, it is not acceptable for Independent Members to receive funding for which they alone would be excluded from being accountable when others must be accountable....

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Senator is quite right. Careful guidelines will be prepared for people's information. We will know what we can spend money on, that we will receive receipts for same and that the spending will be accounted for. Oversight will be provided by the Standards in Public Office Commission, SIPO, via spot checks. For this reason, Members must hold on to their receipts for a certain length of...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: This is a technical amendment to correct section 10G(1), which is to be inserted into the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 1938. The word "independent" replaces the word "individual", which was a typographical error in the draft.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am conscious of that issue. Section 10E provides for me as the Minister to be able to fix a date from which the provisions of the Act relating to reporting and the retention of documents will apply to Independent Members and leaders of qualifying parties. We want the legislation to be enacted, as it was a commitment made some time ago. We will need to have a bedding down period, but the...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It sounded like bullying to me as well, but there we are. I am clear the provisions of this Bill will apply to everyone as soon as it is practicable. Senator Norris has made a valid point. To ensure people do not make mistakes and are prepared for this system, we will allow time for there to be some preparation in the reporting mechanisms. There will be a time gap between the commencement...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I saw a political statement coming out-----

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: "The Minister resiles from accountability." There is no such thing as that. I am simply saying that-----

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As soon as is practicable. It had been my intention to start it from 1 January. I did not expect to spend three weeks in the Seanad before reaching Report Stage, which was originally meant to be taken today. To schedule Report Stage, however, I have to get time in the other House. I therefore cannot give Senators an absolute commitment until the will of the Houses is determined in the...

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is the party leaders' allowance.

Seanad: Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I hear what the Senator is saying and it is something of which I am aware. It is a matter for the Standards in Public Office Commission, but I will certainly convey those views directly to that body. We should have a simple accounting mechanism with money being added up, receipts declared valid and that is that, I hope. We should not make it more onerous. I hear what the Senator is saying...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It was true.

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am particularly pleased to reply to the debate. Last week's decision by the Government was an historic one and marked the end not just of a programme but of a most difficult period for the people. Three years ago our sovereignty was ceded by a Government that had squandered the most prosperous period in our history. We had reached the point at which nobody would lend to the country...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In the absence of compelling reasons to do otherwise, our decision was the natural one to make. Last week we weighed up the options facing us. As the Minister for Finance has stated on more than one occasion-----