Results 2,541-2,560 of 2,815 for speaker:Tony Killeen

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (10 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: The preliminary drafting of a statutory instrument to transpose Directive 2003/105/EC is currently taking place in the Health and Safety Authority. Following clearance by the Health and Safety Authority's legislation and guidance sub-committee the draft will be forwarded to me for final legal settlement. My intention is to transpose the Directive 2003/105/EC of the European Parliament and of...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: The National Minimum Wage Act came into effect in April 2000. Prior to the introduction of the legislation, the national minimum wage commission was appointed by the Government to advise on the introduction of a national minimum wage. The commission examined a number of issues including the social implications of a national minimum wage and the determination, implementation and enforcement of...

Job Losses. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Deputies for raising these matters. The difficulties being experienced by Waterford Crystal have been well known for some time. In summary, difficulties in the marketplace combined with a weak dollar have been putting pressure on the company's sales targets and competitiveness. Enterprise Ireland has continued to work with the company, including a recent investment approved in...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move amendment No. 57: In page 78, line 28, to delete "an" and substitute "at". This is another technical amendment to correct a drafting error.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I am advised that it is only in cases of points of law that appeals are made from the High Court to the Supreme Court. I regret if I gave the Deputy the impression on Committee Stage that it is universally the case but it is very commonly the case and there are a number of examples of that. Section 38(5) of the Aviation Regulation Act 2001, section 44(6) of the Teaching Council Act 2001 and...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: Deputy Howlin is correct in regard to both amendments Nos. 60 and 61. If I argued against the point being made on Committee Stage, I was wrong but that was the advice available to me at that time. I accept amendments Nos. 60 and 61.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move amendment No. 62: In page 85, line 35, to delete "this". This is another technical amendment to correct a drafting error.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move amendment No. 63: In page 85, line 39, to delete "other than the Chief Executive". This amendment arises from the decision on Committee Stage not to appoint a chief executive officer to the board of the Health and Safety Authority.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move amendment No. 64: In page 85, line 47, to delete ", other than the Chief Executive,". This amendment is required for the same reason.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: Section 58(1) already sets out the parameters within which the regulations may be made under this Act. The parameters are that the regulations relating to any matter referred to in this Act or prescribed or to be prescribed are for the purposes of giving full effect to the Act or are in respect of any of the matters in Schedule 7. Given the clarity in section 58, it appears to cover what...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I thank the Members who have participated in the debates, particularly the Opposition spokespersons who tabled many amendments and put me through my paces on Committee and Report Stages. They took a genuine interest in the Bill and I tried to respond by accepting amendments I felt would improve the legislation. I do not take the view that it is the job of Government in these circumstances to...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: This amendment proposes to delete the provision that the CEO of the HSA shall not question or have an opinion on the merits of any Government policy when appearing before an Oireachtas committee. It is not proposed to accept this amendment. As Members are aware, the Minister has overall political responsibility for the operation of the authority. Clearly, the amendment, if accepted, could...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: Deputy Howlin is quite right in saying that this provision is in most legislation of this type, and is there for a good reason. I certainly intend to maintain it in this legislation because——

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: ——it only refers to policy matters and not to issues such as resources. A reasonable point was made by a number of Deputies on the last occasion, and that is something the CEO or the board could raise before an Oireachtas committee or in any circumstances. In any event, there are at least three sections of the Bill which require the authority to give the Minister a briefing relating to...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: Deputy Howlin raised this issue on Committee Stage and mentioned the case of Browne v. the Minister for the Marine, which arose in relation to the 1972 Act. My understand is that the finding of the court in that regard was that there was no provision for an indictable offence under the 1972 Act. In the provision, as proposed in the Bill, such indictable offences will be created in accordance...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: Arising from the point the Deputy made on Committee Stage, we went back for further legal advice. This advice was that where the Bill implements EU law and provides for indictable offences, it is appropriate to provide for them by regulation subsequently. Previously, it would have been done under the provisions of the 1972 Act. That was found to be deficient in the case of Browne v. Minister...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move amendment No. 38: In page 63, line 25, to delete "paragraph (r)" and substitute "paragraph (q)". This is a technical amendment to correct a drafting error.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: We also discussed this on Committee Stage and I was strongly of the view that the current system works particularly well. The deterrent element of having the matter before the High Court is of some value and it should be retained, although I accept that the Deputy made a number of strong points in favour of the amendment. However, these cases are only taken in extreme urgency and danger when...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move amendment No. 43: In page 69, line 39, to delete "an accident in Irish waters" and substitute "a marine casualty". The amendment is proposed for clarification on the advice of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The new wording will clarify the responsibility for investigation in accidents to Irish ships that are not in Irish waters, which remains with the...

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill 2004: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (4 May 2005)

Tony Killeen: I move amendment No. 47: In page 71, line 24, to delete "in" and substitute "on". This amendment also corrects a drafting error.