Results 19,161-19,180 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Bodies Expenditure (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question, I am informed by the Office of the Ombudsman that the following are the amounts paid in Legal Costs by that Office for each of the years 2010 - 2013: 2010 2011 2012 2013 €343,000 €455,000 €156,000 €543,000

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Relief Schemes Data (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that work on developing a flood relief scheme for Cork City has been underway for some time. The Scheme covers the area from Inniscarra Dam to downstream of the City on the River Lee, and it will also include proposals for Blackpool and Ballyvolane which are affected by tributaries of the River Lee. The OPW will hold a public information...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Staff Data (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Five specialist streams were included in the Administrative Officer (AO) competition in 2013 - Finance and Banking; Tax Policy; Law; Human Resources; and Economics. In total, there have been 43 assignments and all were to posts in Dublin. Department/Office AO Finance and Banking AO Tax Policy AO Law AO Human Resources AO Economics Finance 5 3 3 1 - PER 3 1 2 4 7...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the core strategy for addressing flood risk in the Shannon Basin is the River Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Study. Good progress continues to be made on this project. A total of 66 locations along the Shannon have been identified for further assessment under the Study. The output of this important...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Public Procurement is governed by EU and National rules. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. It would be a breach of the EU rules for a public body to favour or discriminate against particular candidates on grounds such as nationality, organisational size, etc. and there are legal...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Reports (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question the Department reports progress on its Business Plan and Statement of Strategy on a regular basis. 

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Sex Offenders Notification Requirements (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: There are no specific protocols or procedures in place in the civil service in respect of the specific situation raised in the Deputy's question rather the protection of children is addressed through the broader legal, administrative and recruitment framework in place across all sectors. The Sex Offenders Act 2001 introduced a wide range of measures aimed at reducing the risk to the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that tearooms are being provided at Kilmacurragh National Botanic Gardens, Co Wicklow. Planning permission for 'change of use' has been received from Wicklow County Council. A Contractor was appointed earlier this year following a competitive tender process for construction of the facility. However certain contractual issues have arisen...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In general, staff recruited to the public service to cover short-term leave over the summer months are drawn from the Temporary Clerical Officer (TCO) competitions run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). Assignments from the 2014 TCO recruitment campaign commenced in April and to date 1,314 assignments have been made. Assignments were made to 8 Government Departments...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Relations Contracts Expenditure (15 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that the engagement of all service-providers by my Department is done within the parameters of value for money with every effort made to minimise costs. In line with stated Government policy, all public bodies must use a competitive process for the purchase of any goods and services, whatever the value.     The following...

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Order for Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 1:In page 9, line 14, to delete "Office" and substitute "office".This corrects a typographical error, placing a lower case "o" in place of an upper case "o".

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 2:In page 9, line 27, after "that," to insert "immediately".Amendments Nos. 2, 3, 7 and 8 are designed to make the provisions more precise. When the Bill refers to a body or entity that was a public body "prior to enactment", what is meant is a body or entity that was a public body immediately prior to enactment. Amendments Nos. 10 and 11 relate to the definition of...

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 3:In page 9, line 29, after "that," to insert "immediately".

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 4:In page 10, lines 2 to 4, to delete all words from and including "appoint," in line 2 down to and including line 4 and substitute the following:"appoint.".I will discuss amendments Nos. 4, 16, 33 and 34 together and they cover two separate issues. They provide that the Minister can make an order under section 6 and a draft of such order must be approved by way of...

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Deputy. I do my best to listen to the views of the Opposition. I have said repeatedly that there is no monopoly of wisdom on this side of the House. When people go to a lot of bother to research and present a case, I do my best to listen to it.

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 5:In page 10, line 5, to delete “Section 8shall come into operation on such day or days” and substitute “Section 8shall come into operation 12 months from enactment or on such earlier day or days”.I propose this amendment on foot of a request made and debate we had on Committee Stage following Deputy McDonald’s amendment. My amendment...

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 7:In page 10, line 29, after “that” to insert “immediately prior to enactment of this Act”.

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 8:In page 10, line 33, after “that” to insert “immediately”.

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (16 Jul 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am conscious that we discussed the need to allow for some element of retrospection but that must be balanced with the need to ensure that it is practical. I have discussed this on foot of our previous discussion with the chief executive officers, CEOs, of bodies that will be embraced now. Going back so far where they have not marshalled the data would be an enormous administrative burden....