Results 3,761-3,780 of 3,895 for speaker:John Halligan
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: I welcome particular aspects of the Bill. I accept that certain reforms to public service pensions are crucial if those pensions are to be made sustainable and affordable in the long term and if there is to be fairness for public servants and taxpayers. Such reforms must be framed in light of the fiscal challenges ahead. It must be acknowledged that public servants have already made a...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: From my reading of it, the Bill does not make provision in respect of high earners such as politicians, the President, members of the Judiciary or the Attorney General.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Those to whom I refer enjoy an accelerated accrual of pension rights and if they are contemplated within the provisions of the Bill, I would be delighted. I am disappointed the Government opted not to meet representatives from the teachers' unions in order to hear their legitimate concerns.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: The Minister did not meet them before he attempted to legitimise this Bill-----
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: -----or prior to the completion of the report.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Were they all happy with it?
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Exactly. Despite a pre-election promise, I am aware that Fine Gael Members - of whom there are none present in the Chamber - did not meet representatives of the teachers' unions. Perhaps the Minister, Deputy Howlin, did meet them.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: If he did, I apologise for doubting him. I met some of the union representatives and I am aware that their concerns relate to the measures which could give rise to teachers contributing more to their pension schemes than they will obtain in return.
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: The concerns of the teachers' unions are genuine and they should be examined. Another concern of the teachers' unions relates to young teachers who, on entering the profession, spend several years engaging in part-time and substitute work. When they finally obtain a permanent post, they are obliged to enter onto a long, incremental pay scale. This is despite the fact that they must pay the...
- Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Consideration should be given to putting in place an opt-out clause because it is not as hare-brained a proposal as some might think. Some economists have stated that the possibility of introducing such a clause should be examined. The unions are standing over the findings of the independent Trident report, which states that a teacher entering the new scheme at the beginning of his or her...
- Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Yes.
- Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Why did it not speak to MABS?
- Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Exactly.
- Leaders' Questions (19 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: The Government should have met them before it issued this report.
- Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will clarify a matter (details supplied) regarding pensions. [29956/11]
- Written Answers — Army Barracks: Army Barracks (18 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Question 409: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the adverse effect the uncertainty regarding the potential closure of army barracks across the country is having on the soldiers who will be directly affected; if he will confirm the position in relation to these rumoured closures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29954/11]
- Written Answers — General Practitioner Fees: General Practitioner Fees (18 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: Question 503: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons have continuously expressed concern that in the midst of the current economic crisis, many doctors are still charging excessively for consultation fees, which is having a huge financial impact on families without either medical cards or general practitioner visit cards; his plans to...
- Report by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears: Statements (18 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: It is as well to remind ourselves of the latest statistics from the Financial Regulator that show 56,000 householders were in arrears at the end of June 2011. I have little doubt the figure will now be well in excess of 60,000. Coupled with an estimated 40,000 households which have had their mortgages restructured and 19,000 households in receipt of mortgage interest supplement, or welfare...
- Report by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears: Statements (18 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: We are not sharing time. I will use up my minute if the Acting Chairman does not mind.
- Report by the Interdepartmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears: Statements (18 Oct 2011)
John Halligan: I will finish.