Results 2,361-2,380 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: I do not accept that.

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: The machinery which has served this country over many years is the appropriate means to deal with this situation. Political intervention in matters of this nature has invariably worsened rather than improved matters.

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: Social partnership——

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: I am unaware as to whether the Minister, Deputy Noel Dempsey, or the Minister of State, Deputy Gallagher, have received copies of the report referred to by Deputy Broughan.

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: I will try to find that out and will revert to Deputy Broughan with the information. The Deputy made the point that part of our defence has been that certain matters are not within our control and it is a jungle out there. I assure him that it is not the intention of the Taoiseach or this Government to wring hands on this matter. I welcome the information concerning the Scottish Executive's...

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: That is one of the possibilities which can be explored, provided we have the time to do so. That will be an important element of this matter. On what the national implementation body and the Labour Court can do, it is difficult to predict the outcome of this dispute. The week before last, I did not hold great hopes in terms of another dispute but it worked out extraordinarily well. It is fair...

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: I am not the Minister with that responsibility. I do not know the position but will find out. It is welcome that directives of this nature are under consideration because they invariably enter force with positive impact.

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: On the basis of the information available to me, there is no danger this precedent would cause effects in the manner outlined by Deputy Crowe. The difficulties that have arisen concern vessels operating under non-Irish flags. In the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, the workers clearly operate under the terms and conditions of Irish labour legislation. The dangers outlined will not...

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: In regard to Deputy Eamon Ryan's question on redundancy, as I said previously I do not have detailed legal advice at this stage. My understanding is that redundancies occur in a situation where the job has finished. It would seem that it is stretching it considerably to suggest a redundancy occurs where one worker is displaced and replaced by another. However, we have learned here and...

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: Deputy Perry asked about derogation. That is a matter on which I do not have much information but I will pursue it and come back to the Deputy on it.

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: The question raised by Deputy Howlin is the nub of the matter. These are real people in the Deputy's constituency or wherever.

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: Any of us in that position would be frightened at the prospect of trying to make a choice in the absence of quality information in a case where one has no confidence in the management of the company. I can see that is the position.

Job Losses. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: The only undertaking I can give to the Deputy is that anything that can be done in terms of trying to ensure the deadline is moved back, as the Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Gallagher, has been trying to do, and that the debate is positioned in an entirely different way, will be done. Frankly, I do not think a telephone call from...

Hospital Staff. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: I have been asked to take this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank Deputy Deenihan for having raised this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the details of the work in progress to address cardiovascular disease in Kerry. The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which...

Seanad: Employees (Provision of Information and Consultation) Bill 2005: Second Stage. (29 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: I thank all Senators who contributed to the debate. It has been wonderful to find people prepared to say what they think in the manner they have. What has been said will certainly be helpful in the deliberations to conclude the process. The Bill transposes the European Union information and consultation of employees directive. The thrust of my overall approach has been to attempt to ensure we...

Written Answers — Disabled Workers: Disabled Workers (28 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: This Government is committed to addressing the needs of those with disabilities. In particular, we are committed to removing the obstacles which make it difficult for people with disabilities to participate in the labour market. We have already done a lot in this area. Under the Government's mainstreaming policy, my Department through FÁS is seeking to increase the participation of disabled...

Written Answers — Equality Legislation: Equality Legislation (28 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: My Department has had no involvement with this issue. I understand that the Departments of Transport and Justice, Equality and Law Reform were in contact in relation to this issue. Both Departments have refused to take the parliamentary question.

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (28 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: In response to the recommendations of the employment rights review group and following a process of extensive consultations with interested parties, a programme of action was agreed by Government, in May of this year, which will facilitate the simplification of procedures and provide ease of access for all users of the services of the employment rights bodies. In the course of the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (28 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: The Whistleblowers Protection Bill 1999 is still retained on the Government legislative programme. However, as previously stated in this House on a number of occasions, it is now considered, on reflection, that the provision of statutory protection for whistleblowers on a sectoral basis might provide a better and more focused approach to dealing with this issue. Recent legislative initiatives...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (28 Sep 2005)

Tony Killeen: I have met ICTU and heard its concerns in relation to the employment of domestic workers. ICTU has suggested to me that a joint labour committee could be established for these workers. Joint labour committees, JLCs, are established by the Labour Court and determine minimum rates of pay and conditions of employment for workers in their respective sectors. JLCs operate in areas where collective...