Results 29,401-29,420 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

County Enterprise Boards. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy Hogan has won that one already.

Research Funding. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: The question asked whether the Tánaiste had received a response to her call in Galway to know how we could do better to capture that raw research. It was not quite an alarm bell but an expression of concern at the news that 40% of research and development funding from European companies had gone to North America. What has happened since she made that call? In regard to achieving the...

Research Funding. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I wish to ask a brief supplementary question in light of the fact that I have no competition from other Deputies.

Research Funding. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I regard this as one of the most pressing issues for our future, not only in terms of enterprise and employment in this country but also in terms of education. I heartily welcome the notion of a science adviser to the Government. However, does the Tánaiste accept that consideration might be given to having, as is the case in Northern Ireland, a Minister for higher education who could focus...

Public Holidays. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Does the Minister of State accept that Ireland is among those member states with the lowest number of days' leave and that countries which are highly successful economically, such as Austria and Finland, have considerably more day's leave than Ireland? Has he considered the impact of our paucity of paid public holidays in the context of the initiative that he and the Tánaiste have taken in...

Public Holidays. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: If I was the Minister of State I would put it to a vote and the level of demand would become apparent.

Public Holidays. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Does the Minister of State accept that at least one of his predecessors, Deputy Quinn, dealt with the matter when he inaugurated the May Day holiday, the most recent additional public holiday to be created in this country? There are new and evolving pressures on family life in this country and to achieve the objective of the balancing work and family life initiative, which is being promoted...

National Minimum Wage. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I do not accept it is inappropriate for the Minister of State to divulge Government policy to this House. Does he not accept he has a duty to keep the House informed about Government thinking on matters? Does he further accept we have lost sufficient authority in the House to mechanisms that have worked well for the economy but have impacted on our democratic accountability processes? What...

National Minimum Wage. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Does the Minister of State think so?

National Minimum Wage. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Minister for his historical lecture but I would rather he focused on the questions that are current and affect the lives of people today. Does the Government support the strategy put forward to close the gap between those on the lowest level of pay and those on higher levels of pay, or will the Government allow that gap to increase after the conclusion of the current pay round?...

National Minimum Wage. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I have a brief question.

National Minimum Wage. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: I have about 30 seconds.

National Minimum Wage. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: In ten seconds, does the Minister accept 52% of PAYE employees on the average industrial wage pay the higher rate of tax, which is unprecedented in the State? This needs to change if there is to be a real focus on those on the minimum wage and low pay.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 19: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has considered the proposal to introduce legislation to provide for a new offence of corporate killing as recommended by the Law Reform Commission. [18039/04]

Written Answers — Employment Support Services: Employment Support Services (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 66: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by trade unions, commercial firms in the region and the board of the company itself regarding her proposals to break up Shannon Development; if an independent assessment has been done of her proposal to transfer the company's rental income from...

Semi-State Bodies. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Question 2: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the serious concern expressed by trade unions, commercial firms in the region and the board of the company itself regarding her proposals to break up Shannon Development; if an independent assessment has been done of her proposal to transfer the company's rental income from...

Semi-State Bodies. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: Will the Minister agree it is unusual for a Minister to break up one of the most successful semi-State companies under that Minister's control? Will she accept that the track record of Shannon Development is without parallel in the country, that it is the only statutory regional development engine, that it has achieved the industrialisation of the mid-west, which is second only to Dublin, and...

Semi-State Bodies. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: The Tánaiste's first reply was more characteristic of the Taoiseach, in talking about extraneous matters such as decentralisation and the amount of jobs that are being located in the area. Her second response, however, was more forthright and focused. The real reason, however, is to give some economic justification to the break-up of Aer Rianta and the stand-alone policies of the airport. Is...

Semi-State Bodies. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: The Tánaiste should replicate it, rather than damaging it.

Consumer Issues. (17 Jun 2004)

Brendan Howlin: The Tánaiste is supposed to answer the questions.