Results 33,561-33,580 of 34,779 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, line 7, before the word "Section" to insert the following subsection: "3.—(1) Section 1 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 is amended by the insertion of the following definition after the definition of "Civil Service": " 'Contractor' means a person whose personal services are independently hired on a contract for services...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: On a point of order-----

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: -----I know the Minister does not intend to continue to talk until 10.30 p.m., but we would love to be able to put one of the 21 amendments to a vote.

Written Answers — Garda Investigations: Garda Investigations (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 423: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in relation to the criminal investigation currently under way in respect of practices at particular national car test centres, as highlighted earlier this year in a programme (details supplied); if he will inform Dáil Éireann when the Garda is expected to conclude their investigation; when a decision on whether to...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 582: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he expects the number of cars failing the national car test to grow over the coming years as a result of the increase in the number of older cars on our roads because of the economic downturn; if he will outline the payment structure of the contract between him and the provider of the NCT; if this contract is a fixed price...

Written Answers — National Car Test: National Car Test (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: Question 583: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the criminal investigation into alleged criminal practices at several national car test centres as uncovered on a television programme (details supplied) earlier this year; if he is satisfied that the issues which were uncovered in this programme have now been fully addressed; if so, if he is...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: I welcome the opportunity of speaking on the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011. I welcome the Bill, but I am disappointed by how the Minister, Deputy Howlin, is handling it in the House here tonight. I am surprised at him because he gave a clear commitment when he took office that he would be open and allow for discussion. Nothing epitomises more my...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: It does not matter. There will be ten minutes for 21 amendments. The Minister knows that what he is doing in the House is unfair. He has the numbers behind him to back it up, whether it is fair or unfair. I will come to what is doubly insulting, from the Dáil's point of view. I support the suggestions the Minister made on reductions for persons in receipt of a pension of over €100,000,...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: The Minister stated he will take it to the Seanad.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: No, it is here first.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: The Minister has said he will take that amendment to the Seanad.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: I would prefer him to table it and then allow time to discuss it tonight. We would have no problem giving this an extra hour or an hour and a half tonight. There are 21 amendments and the Minister is now bringing forward a couple of amendments on that issue.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: I understand that. However, does the Minister not see that, from the Dáil's point of view, the Minister is allowing a maximum of 30 minutes for Committee Stage amendments before Report and Final Stages? I spent hours drafting pages of amendments, as did Deputy McDonald and others in her party, but we are not given an opportunity to discuss them. The Minister is now saying he has more...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: That is for new Secretaries General.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: Yes, but I would like the salary to be covered by statute rather than relying on the goodwill of Secretaries General to volunteer a cut in salary. The Minister gets my point in that regard.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: The Minister's official response as to why he cannot apply this to the chief executives was given in the House last week or recently. He said there were seven chief executives still above the €250,000 level who have not taken the 15% waiver or salary cut. The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, announced in the House a few days ago that there are 99 people in the...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: Perhaps the Minister will give us more details when he returns from the Seanad or at the committee meeting. The Minister will appear before the Oireachtas committee tomorrow to discuss public sector reform, so we can discuss it then. I am still appalled, and the people of Ireland will be shocked, that there are 100 people in third level institutions on salaries that are higher than the...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: Yes, I understand that, but there are enough brains in Ireland, and some of them could do it at even a quarter of that salary-----

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: -----rather than importing people to show us how to do a bit of research. The Minister gets my point. It is a little obscene that the Irish taxpayer must pay 99 people in third level institutions salaries that are higher than the Taoiseach's.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Amendment) Bill 2011: Second Stage (29 Nov 2011)

Seán Fleming: Yes, but the point still applies. I accept there are nuances but the general point is very clear. I tried to introduce a measure to cut the pay of senior personnel when the Minister introduced the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2011. The Minister said, to paraphrase his response, that he could not introduce a measure that would be narrowly focused and targeted on a specific group...