Results 18,981-19,000 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pensions Reform (26 Jun 2014)

Brendan Howlin: It should be pointed out that public service workers who retire at the relevant mandatory retirement age, normally 65, continue be able to draw their occupational public service pension.  The pensions (and contributions) of the majority of public servants who are fully insured and are in defined benefit pension schemes are, like many...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Commercial Rates Valuation Process (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: It is important to acknowledge that commercial rates, as a source of revenue, and the rating system generally, are deeply embedded in the local government system. Rates income is a very important contribution to the cost of services provided by local authorities such as roads, public lighting, development control, parks and open spaces.  All rates collected within a local authority area...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In relation to the general issue of employment law and its enforcement, these are matters for my colleague Mr. Richard Bruton, T. D. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) respectively. Public procurement procedures require applicants to meet certain standards when applying for public contracts.  The criteria upon which...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In relation to the general issue of employment law and its enforcement, these are matters for my colleague Mr. Richard Bruton, T. D. Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the National Employment Rights Authority (NERA) respectively. The information sought by the Deputy is not recorded centrally in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for public contracts. ...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Funding (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that, following completion of urgent stabilisation and conservation works to the buildings in the historic village, including Tomás Ó Criomhthain’s house, further works may be considered in the light of available resources. Temporary accommodation has been provided on the Island for staff for the 2014 season.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Construction Contracts (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Construction Contracts Bill passed all stages of the Houses of the Oireachtas in July 2013 and was signed into law on the 29 July 2013. Section 9 of the Act requires the publication of a code of practice governing the conduct of adjudication.  Engagement with key stakeholders on the code culminated with the issue of the final draft to stakeholders in March. Subsection (3) and (4)...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Equality Proofing of Budgets (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: With regard to recent Budgets, while the primary objective has been to reduce the deficit and return stability to the public finances, it has been of vital importance to the Government to spread the burden of adjustments in as fair and as equitable a manner as possible whilst also seeking to minimise any negative impact on economic growth. The Government recognises that expenditure on...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Harbours and Piers Funding (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that preparation of engineering proposals, a work programme and cost estimation is in progress. It is expected that this will be completed in the near future in order to facilitate the subsequent execution of repair works, subject to availability of the requisite funding.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Leader's Allowance Issues (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Parliamentary Activities Allowance is provided for in the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) Act, 1938, as amended, most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices)(Amendment) Act 2014. The allowance is paid to the parliamentary leader of a "qualifying party", as defined in the legislation underpinning the allowance, in relation to expenses arising...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Political Funding (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Responsibility for the Electoral Acts is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. Under section 17 of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended by section 50(c) of the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2001, provision is made for two payments to be made to qualified political parties. Section 17(1)(a) of the Electoral Act 1997, as amended, provides for a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Data (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 207, inclusive, together. I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works in relation to the proposed flood relief scheme for Skibbereen the position is that the detailed design of the Scheme is nearing completion. The first stage of the procurement process for a civil works contractor to undertake the works has been commenced by Cork County...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Funding (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Government decided on 11th February to make available funding of up to €69.5 million for a programme of repair and remediation works to public infrastructure damaged in the storms from 13 December, 2013 to 6 January, 2014 based on estimates provided by the local authorities concerned. The figure of €69.5m included up to €1,226,920 for repair works to damaged coastal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that South Dublin County Council is taking forward proposals for flood mitigation measures on the River Poddle comprising attenuation works in Tymon Park which may also involve some downstream defence works. The Council is in the process of preparing a brief for the procurement of the design consultant for these works. Following the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Data (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that on the 24 March this year then Minister Brian Hayes announced details of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Office of Public Works and Insurance Ireland on the exchange of information on flood defence works. This Memorandum of Understanding outlines the principles of agreement between the OPW and Insurance Ireland on the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Legislation (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: It is not my intention to include a schedule within the Freedom of Information Bill 2013 or to otherwise identify bodies encompassed by the provision mentioned by the Deputy. A large number of public bodies as defined under FOI legislation could be subject to this provision. Seeking to identify such bodies in a schedule to the legislation or otherwise could have the unintended consequence of...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: We had a very useful discussion on this important Bill when I was last here and that continued in the other House. I have reflected on many of the very positive suggestions made in the House and crafted amendments accordingly. We are dealing with group 1 and amendment No. 1 in particular, the text of which reads: In page 5, line 19, "not later than the end of the period of 5 years" deleted...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The amendments in this group are very important in providing clarity on the definitions of "employee" and "employer" and that part of the definition of "worker" relating to contractors. I will discuss each amendment in turn. The original Bill contained quite convoluted definitions and I have sought, with the help of the Parliamentary Counsel, to produce clearer and more user-friendly...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: That will come later on.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Amendment No. 7 provides greater legal certainty that a disclosure made prior to the enactment of this legislation can qualify as a protected disclosure provided that penalisation or detriment is continuing after the enactment of the Bill. This makes the provision contained in section 5(9) of the Bill no longer necessary, and amendment No. 9, therefore, deletes that section of the Bill. In...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2014: [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] Report and Final Stages (1 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: These amendments provide clarification in respect of the circumstances in which advice from a solicitor or trade union official on legal matters constitutes legal advice. The Office of the Attorney General endorsed the proposal that a text in parentheses should be included in the provision to make clear that legal advice extends to advice on the operation of the protected disclosures regime....