Results 24,961-24,980 of 32,961 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Contracts (29 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: The regulations which govern the procurement of taxi services by Government Bodies are contained in Statutory Instrument 284 of 2016.  Regulation 33(2) states that "the term of a framework agreement shall not exceed 4 years, other than in exceptional cases". The Office of Government Procurement established a Framework Agreement for taxi services in the Greater Dublin Area, which...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Advisers Appointments (29 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: The appointment of all Special Advisers in my Department are made in accordance with the instructions to Personnel Officers "". I intend to bring a memo to cabinet in due course to allow for the appointment of a special adviser to Min of State Murphy to assist him in his duties, particularly in relation to Brexit and policy challenges it poses across Government.

Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that the Ballymakeera-Ballyvourney, Baile Mhic Ire-Baile Bhuirne, scheme is at outline design stage where the preferred options for the scheme are being finalised. A total of €55,000 has been expended to date on the scheme. A total project budget will be finalised before public exhibition, but the initial indications are that the cost...

Other Questions: Government Expenditure (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: The mid-year expenditure report indicated that my Department would examine proposals for the options available for reinforcing the role of three-year expenditure ceilings in further restoring stability to Ireland's public finances and sustaining this stability in the medium-term period. This is particularly relevant in the light of the increased uncertainty and risks faced by the economy in...

Other Questions: Government Expenditure (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: The transmission mechanism for changes in the State will be what happens to our rate of economic growth. It has already been revised by the Minister for Finance and, as part of budget 2017, will be under continual review. The Minister will confirm the latest figures in his summer economic statement next year. He will give an indication of future rates of growth in the economy and the...

Other Questions: Government Expenditure (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: The Minister for Finance will examine any determination or view from the Commission on future deficit or debt targets within the fiscal rules. He and I are committed to maintaining a sensible approach to the public finances and we have set our plans for next year. We are going to deliver on the deficit and on the employment targets to which we are committed. We will take account of any...

Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: With a hint of neo-liberalism about it.

Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will have to look at it again.

Other Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy heard me say in previous replies, I believe the Lansdowne Road agreement will be a central element to how we manage public pay in 2017 and 2018. With all of the understandable focus on the current challenges in public service pay, we should not lose sight of the fact that more than 20 unions have signed up to the Lansdowne Road agreement. More than 200,000 public and civil...

Other Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: It is a significant challenge. We have the challenge of meeting the expectations of citizens with the money availabile from the State to actually meet them, whether it be increased wages, quality public services or infrastructure. The only way we can do this is by looking to make steady and incremental progress in all of these areas concurrently because what we cannot do is make a big leap...

Other Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: That will be a key consideration for the Government in how it plans for public pay rates in the future. As the Deputy knows well, wage rates in one part of the economy have consequences for competitiveness elsewhere. This is included in the terms of reference of the Public Service Pay Commission. The future competitiveness of the country is an issue on which the Minister for Enterprise,...

Other Questions: Departmental Contingency Planning (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: We have made an adjustment of 0.5% in national income arising from expected economic growth next year. The rate has been reduced by that amount. This has been built into our expectations for how much revenue will be available to spend, as well as into our tax plans. We are not proposing a further change. Our colleagues in the media are always with us and I am sure they will be commenting...

Other Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 156 together. I have already outlined the plans for what will happen in the aftermath of the Lansdowne Road agreement. Briefly, the plans are to allow space for the Public Service Pay Commission to conduct its work and to then have discussions and negotiations on what will happen after the Lansdowne Road agreement. That continues to be the case....

Other Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for his comments, but he did not answer the question I put to him. It is an important question for people who are critical of the Government, including in this House, to tease out. Of course, they are entitled to be critical, but the question must be asked if they are in favour of gardaí having access to the Labour Court and if they are , do they believe an employer...

Other Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: We have given a huge amount of thought to it. I am actively engaged in considering it because the figures are exceptionally large. The Deputy referred to restoration. If one equates restoration with equalling the earnings that are not available owing to the FEMPI legislation, the figure comes to €1.4 billion per year. How the State responds presents an exceptional challenge. That...

Other Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: Question No. 11 replied to with Written Answers.

Other Questions: Departmental Contingency Planning (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: While it would not be practice to prepare contingency plans for the range of outcomes of elections in other jurisdictions, the Government, its officials and our embassy in Washington were monitoring closely developments regarding the US presidential election and were ready to engage with the new US Administration, regardless of the outcome. It would be premature to anticipate or comment...

Other Questions: Departmental Contingency Planning (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy asked if I had received any additional request for investment in response to Brexit or the other threats he mentioned. I have not received any such request since the budget, but the budget only took place a few weeks ago. I continually receive proposals for additional expenditure. I expect that early next year there will be further claims and demands both within government and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Lansdowne Road Agreement (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: I reiterate that I am absolutely aware of the challenges people face in their daily lives. I know the role that wage growth and increases in wages can play in alleviating that burden. I want to see this happen in the economy and society but in a way that is affordable and sustainable for everybody. I appreciate the Deputy's candour about the Lansdowne Road agreement. At least she is clear...

Other Questions: Appointments to State Boards (24 Nov 2016)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 151 and 169 together. The answer in respect of my Department is short. The board of the Public Appointments Service is the only State board under the aegis of my Department. There are no vacancies on the board of the Public Appointments Service and I can confirm that none has been filled since the current Government took office. I can give the Deputy...