Results 3,901-3,920 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: In the strongest terms possible, I refute any political accusation that the Government in any way has a vulgar campaign against the public servants of this country.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: Under no circumstances will I accept that. We, and all Members, have always had the highest regard for our public servants.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: We want to ensure that our public servants have sustainable employment and that our economy has the wherewithal to ensure that happens. That has not been the circumstance in the context of the economic change that has taken place here. We have not had a sustainable situation with regard to our public finances. It was on that basis we had to make such difficult decisions.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: It is on that basis we made the decisions, although we very much appreciate the difficulties this has for our public servants. We also appreciate the fact there are so many people unemployed. It is on that basis that the scarce resources we have are being targeted at those who need that type of support-----
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: -----and at creating activation measures and new innovative ways through which we can ensure the skills needs of the country are met. It is important to point out that many people here have found work as a consequence of the supports they have been given.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I have just come from making an announcement of 103 new jobs in the digital hub and we announced 125 jobs yesterday. We have a strong flow of inward investment in this country which is hugely important. Deputy Burton's constituency has benefited immensely and immeasurably from the investments made by the Government in attracting foreign direct investment.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I look forward to visiting the Deputy's constituency in the near future for the further advancement of employment opportunities. With regard to the pay and conditions of assistant secretaries, the review body on higher level pay indicated that the bonus was indicatively part of their salary.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The Minister accepted that a further reduction that would equal a reduction of 20% would be disproportionate. However, that does not take from the view, and I reiterate what I said yesterday, that nobody on this side of the House, nor the other side, is in a position to say what adjustments are needed in the context of next year's budget. However, our clear view is that public sector reform...
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I am disappointed the Deputy was not in a position to hear and understand what I had to say. I indicated to him-----
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: I have said three times we are not in a position to give such undertakings. It would be completely wrong to give such an undertaking in January.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: When we talk about the smart economy, we should realise it is not just for the private sector but for the public sector also. It is about innovative ways of implementing change in the delivery of services to citizens.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: We must proceed in a different way. Technology and new work practices will be employed so we can have a modern economy.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: We will do this only in the context of further reforms.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: Such reforms are absolutely necessary.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: When we applied pay reductions arising from the budget, they were applied in a progressive way, as with all other adjustments to public service pay. Thus, lower-paid public servants suffered a lower net loss in proportion to that suffered by those in the higher-paid public service grades.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: That is not to say Members on every side of the House do not empathise with people facing serious difficulties. However, this side of the House is creating the wherewithal by which we will have stable public finances and a stable banking sector.
- Leaders' Questions (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: As a consequence, we will have a platform for economic growth. This contrasts with the position on the other side of the House, where Members have disparate views on how it should be achieved.
- Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: It is proposed to take No. 22, Civil Partnership Bill 2009 - Second Stage (resumed); No. 1, Industrial Relations (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 23 - Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 76, motion re the national response to the recent weather crisis, resumed, to conclude at...
- Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: The answer to the straight question as to whether there is a proposal to introduce amending legislation is that there is none.
- Order of Business (27 Jan 2010)
Mary Coughlan: On the issue of committee chairmanship, which is well outside my remit on the Order of Business, I indicated yesterday to the House, including Deputy Kenny, that an Oireachtas committee will have the opportunity to meet and discuss the issue prior to the release of the scoping report. That is the first stage and it will include the international expert in addition to the Governor.