Results 26,981-27,000 of 34,777 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Other Questions: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: I wish to ask the Minister about the number of persons covered by the Haddington Road agreement who are subject to a freeze on their increments. Does this include bodies that are publicly funded by the Exchequer and does the Minister intend carrying out any interim review of the agreement?

Other Questions: Haddington Road Agreement Implementation (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Minister for his answer. It is clear from what he is saying that there will not be a specific review of the Haddington Road agreement. The Minister said that there will be something about it in the public service reform plan the Government is publishing in 2015. It is interesting that he went through that again with no specifics in terms of numbers across the public service -...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget Consultation Process (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 4. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will publish the comprehensive review of expenditure prior to budget day to allow for a more informed debate on expenditure priorities and provision of front-line services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38318/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget Consultation Process (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: Will the Minister publish the comprehensive review of expenditure prior to budget day to allow for a more informed debate on expenditure priorities and provision of front-line services? He announced on 23 July that there would be a public consultation on the comprehensive review. In the meantime, Opposition Deputies are operating in a vacuum and will not see sight of it until it is printed...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget Consultation Process (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: Part of the Minister’s political reform agenda was that there would be discussions at committee level in advance of the budget. He is not facilitating this because he is not providing any information to allow it to happen. We have talk about a greater role for Oireachtas scrutiny but it can only happen after the Budget Statement is delivered. I also hope there will be more...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget Consultation Process (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: The Minister knows that is not the case. Every party on this side of the House has produced its pre-budget alternatives, albeit in a vacuum, relying on what we read in the newspapers as to where the Government is heading and the amount of funding available. We do not get adequate information. The Government has made matters worse over the past two years. Prior to coming into office, the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 1. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way he will ensure greater transparency and independence in the appointment of persons to State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38317/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: First, I apologise on behalf of the House for the late start here today. The Government Deputies chose not to turn up to create a quorum. It shows their commitment to the Dáil reform of scheduling questions for 9.30 a.m. I apologise to the people watching this on television. It should not be the case. Will the Minister ensure greater transparency and independence in the appointment...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Minister for the information he has provided. He states in his reply that he is introducing a new model, but we were told this would be up and running by 1 November. I do not understand what he means when he refers to "18 months".

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: I have asked the Taoiseach here whether the new arrangements would require legislation. It appears from the Minister's reply that he is now talking about guidelines. Guidelines are voluntary and Ministers can take or ignore them. While the Public Appointments Service will have a role under the new arrangements, it will be up to the relevant Minister to decide and the relevant Minister will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: In essence, the Minister is saying that if he or any other Minister wants to appoint one of his or her cronies, he or she will have to insist that the person makes an application through the Public Appointments Service portal first. The Minister will say to the person, "Send in the paperwork and I will sort you out after". The reason I say that to the Minister, Deputy Howlin, specifically...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: In particular, I see this morning that the Government has reappointed to the board of the Central Bank Des Geraghty, who was there during critical-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Appointments to State Boards (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: If they are on State boards, that is public information. Public boards are not beyond the remit of discussion in the House. That is the essence of what we are here for and these people are publicly appointed by the Government. It should not be a secret. Recently, the Government reappointed Des Geraghty to the board of the Central Bank. What expertise has he brought to bear in view of his...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Parliamentary Questions (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 15. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to proceed with the proposal to impose a statutory duty on bodies established by or under statute, or with a majority ownership or funding by the State, to submit to the same parliamentary questions regime as applies to Departments, including an obligation to provide answers to written questions within a specified number of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 22. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the actions he has taken on foot of the recently published Comptroller and Auditor General report to ensure expenditure occurs in the best interests of the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38158/14]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 26. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views that the number of State contracts that are awarded to companies outside the State is above the European average; the way this can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38162/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Aids and Appliances Provision (9 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 130. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be provided a hearing aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38617/14]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Public Services Card (8 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 41. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if elderly persons who are in long stay nursing homes receive the social services card; and the arrangements that will be put in place in respect of photographs and identification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38411/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Private Schools (8 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 163. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views on the support for the fair funding campaign being organised on behalf of fee paying schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38346/14]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Live Register Data (7 Oct 2014)

Seán Fleming: 113. To ask the Taoiseach the number of persons classified as long term unemployed who signed off the live register in 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38268/14]