Results 22,861-22,880 of 26,624 for speaker:John McGuinness

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: If that is agreed, we will proceed with the arrangement for next week. In respect of drawing together the information for the report, I was asked to remind members that someone is employed to pull it together so he is taking notes at the various meetings. When will the report be available?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: When will that report be available?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: I ask members wishing to have an input into the report to bring any recommendations they have to the attention of the clerk as they go through the proceedings because it will add to the value of the content.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (24 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: We will have a private session in respect of the document to make sure everyone is clear on its content and agrees to it. If members have recommendations they would like considered, they can flag it for the clerk either at that meeting in private session or earlier and we can include it in the document as it is presented. If that is agreed, we will bring in the witnesses.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Education and Skills - Review of Allowances (24 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: We turn now to the Comptroller and Auditor General's report and appropriation accounts for 2011: Vote 26 - Education and Skills, review of allowances. I remind members, witnesses and those in the Visitors' Gallery to turn off their mobile phones because the interference causes difficulty with the transmission of the meeting. That interference was particularly noticeable yesterday....

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: I thank Deputies for their contributions and Mr. Watt and Mr. Coughlan and their officials for attending this meeting.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: Mr. Watt can provide that information later. I must remind the Deputy of his time.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: They would do it?

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: I was looking to get directions as to who would answer them.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: That is where we need to direct our recommendations in terms of this because while other recommendations were made by other members, they are individual recommendations. We will come to a final conclusion on the recommendations at the end of our hearings but it is important that we know who we are asking to do what.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: I respect what Mr. Coughlan is saying but it is not so much about the office but rather the role of a Member of Parliament - what we do. To take a simple example, we fob in here and nobody seems to take account of what I do in my constituency office. I could stay in bed for the rest of the year once I fob in 120 days here. It might not go down well with the constituents.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: That is a very good suggestion from Mr. Coughlan and I hope both sides will take up. My other question relates to the 10% of the Members who are audited. Most of the little corner shops in the country will submit their affairs to the Revenue Commissioners every year. They will pay their auditor and submit their figures. Did the Houses of the Oireachtas Service look at the proposal that...

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: I am conscious that two or three members want to ask questions and I know we are anxious to bring the proceedings to an end today. I will start with Deputies Murphy, McDonald and Harris.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: Quick questions.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: To clarify, the claims of 226 Members of the Dáil and Seanad are examined. When was the last time anyone conducted an analysis of the cost of a constituency office or of conducting the work of a Member of Parliament - Dáil or Seanad - and related it to the expenses and allowances we are discussing?

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: It did not examine the costs associated with a constituency office in Dublin or rural Ireland or what a Deputy is expected to do in terms of parliamentary duties or in his or her role as a local public representative. This was never analysed in terms of costs.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: This is not a criticism of Mr. Coughlan or Mr. Watt; it is a fact. We have spoken about allowances in the public service and Civil Service and one knows what was expected of the paperkeeper or franker in respect of the allowance they received. However, it appears we are locked into a system of payments and no one has related these payments to the costs involved in being a Member of the...

Other Questions: Septic Tank Registration Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to publicise the waste water services registration programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46172/12]

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: Mr. Coughlan will come back to us in respect of that.

Public Accounts Committee: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Houses of the Oireachtas Commission - Review of Allowances (23 Oct 2012)

John McGuinness: I remind the Deputy of his time.