Results 3,101-3,120 of 11,861 for speaker:Brian Hayes

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: That will be a substantial reduction over a seven-year period. I recently addressed our parliamentary colleagues in the Bundestag. They asked how we are managing to knock out between 12% and 14% of the public service while meeting ongoing demands. They wondered why more protests are not happening on our streets. We have managed this change without street protests, at a time of substantial...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: The figure refers to pay. We will come to the Senator's contribution in a moment. Pensions must be paid in any case. A 20% reduction in the pay bill is a staggering fall in the cost of employing public servants to deliver public services. It is unprecedented in the history of the State and I suggest it is a larger reduction than those achieved in the majority of private enterprises with...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: Let them spell out-----

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: -----what the alternative is and be upfront with the people. What we have achieved to date - there is much more to be done - is a phenomenal achievement in the context of where this country is currently. The truth is that the critics of the agreement on both sides do not appear to have any credible alternatives. Any alternatives must have regard to those working within the public service...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: We have moved on.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: That is gone.

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I thank the House for the opportunity to speak on this important matter. I am aware that a number of Senators have been seeking a debate of this nature for some time. I am delighted to be here. The Croke Park agreement was put in place as part of a strategic response to an unprecedented economic crisis. Since 2008, this country has been struggling to bridge an enormous and unsustainable...

Seanad: Croke Park Agreement: Statements (9 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: We will get a copy of it as soon as possible. The difficulty is that at a time when we have to reduce costs significantly, the demands on public services are greater than ever. This creates a real challenge. We are delivering considerably more financial supports and services to our people with fewer resources. The cost of jobseekers' payments is now more than three times the 2006 level....

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: A formal decision to close Geashill Garda Station was recently announced by the Minister for Justice. The Office of Public Works will now examine other potential State uses for the property. If no such use is identified arrangements will probably be made to dispose of the property on the open market. If any viable local proposals concerning the station are made from the community or from the...

Seanad: Battle of the Boyne Site (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I am grateful for the opportunity to address this matter which has been brought to the attention of the House by Senator Byrne. Oldbridge Estate comprises 500 acres of land, with an 18th century manor house, stable and farm buildings. The property was the core site of the historic Battle of the Boyne between King James II and King William III in 1690. The site is dear to the traditions of...

Seanad: Battle of the Boyne Site (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I want to get this done and I am confident we will have it done. I think it will be done by summer.

Seanad: Garda Investigations (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who is unable to be in the House. In her contribution the Senator highlighted the importance of the Garda Inspectorate. When the Garda Síochána Bill was taken in his House - I was here from 2002-07 - one of the points made on the sections concerning the independence of the...

Seanad: Garda Investigations (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I do not know. I will find it out for the Senator. I understand some services were being put in place anyway because the Garda, in collaboration with the HSE, had accepted the necessity for the services before the recommendations were published. I cannot tell the Senator definitively if all services were put in place in advance. I will make sure the Minister drafts a note and sends it to her.

NAMA Properties (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: NAMA's remit is to maximise disposal, in terms of value, of assets for the taxpayer. NAMA's task is in the first instance to appoint debtors-receivers, whose task it is to maintain these estates. Where this is not being done in a satisfactory manner, NAMA has the power under section 141 of the NAMA Act to apply to the District Court for an entry and maintenance order. NAMA's task should in...

NAMA Properties (8 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I thank Deputy Phelan for raising this important matter. NAMA has advised me that it has and continues to engage actively with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities regarding unfinished estates and on the issue of housing in general. Following release of the report of the advisory group on unfinished housing developments last June, the...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 to 198, inclusive, together. The Commissioners of Public Works undertake works such as re painting, improvement of welfare facilities and improvement of access facilities at Garda Stations in line with priorities set by An Garda Síochána. The Commissioners do not currently have a request for such works at the Garda Station, the subject of the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (7 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: The Office of Public Works anticipates filling six seasonal drainage posts in the Co. Mayo area from April 2012. These posts will be filled from panels which were established arising from previous public competitions. Any other vacancies will be advertised in the local media and on the OPW website, but the moratorium on recruitment in the public service dictates that further opportunities...

Leaders' Questions (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: The Deputy would know all about collusion.

Local Authority Contracts (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I thank Deputy Spring for raising this important matter. It is a condition of the public works contracts that contractors must comply with the relevant regulations governing employment conditions. The most recent legislation in this area includes the Registered Employment Agreement (Construction Industry Wages and Conditions of Employment) Variation Order, 2011, and the Registered Employment...

Local Authority Contracts (1 Feb 2012)

Brian Hayes: I have gained some experience in the area of procurement in the past eight months and these issues have been raised with me as the Minister of State with responsibility for procurement. Evidence is the key issue, however. Without evidence, we have no means of checking the facts and bringing these matters to a conclusion. Of course, Irish businesses win contracts abroad as well as at home....