Results 4,561-4,580 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (5 Oct 2004)

Séamus Brennan: To qualify for unemployment assistance a person must be available for and genuinely seeking full-time work. The person concerned was in receipt of unemployment assistance from 27 June 2003 to 28 September 2004. Following a review, a deciding officer disallowed the unemployment assistance claim of the person concerned from 29 September 2004 on the grounds that he is not genuinely seeking...

Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (5 Oct 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The national disability strategy announced on 21 September last is designed to underpin the participation of people with disabilities in society. My Department will play an important role in that strategy through the enactment of the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004 and through the Department's sectoral plan under the Disability Bill 2004. The primary purpose of the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill...

Carers Support Services: Motion. (5 Oct 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: commends the Government on its record in providing supports to carers, in particular for the very significant increase in the number of carers entitled to a carer's allowance, which has increased by 142% since this Government came into office and now stands at 22,300; the fact that expenditure has...

Carers Support Services: Motion. (5 Oct 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I thank Deputy Penrose for his chairmanship of the joint committee and his work in this area. I assure Deputies that I have listened carefully to and taken note of the arguments and points made this evening. I would like to make some personal remarks before I deal with the motion before the House. I wish to outline my approach and philosophy to delivering a welfare and social services support...

Carers Support Services: Motion. (5 Oct 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Three. They are Deputies O'Connor, Carty and Parlon.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I meant to come back to that. Section 12(9) includes a guarantee that a person cannot "be brought to less beneficial conditions of service" or employment, "save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union". Section 12(11) provides for negotiations for a period "of not more than 6 months from the passing of this Act". The best way to explain it is to...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I promised the Senator I would check that matter and I will furnish the House the information before me. First, everyone who is a member of staff of Aer Rianta, before the Dublin appointed day, and continues as a member of staff of the Dublin Airport authority, is covered by section 12(12). Second, everyone who is working mainly in connection with Cork and Shannon Airports and who transfers...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: As the Senator knows, the regulator must take a whole range of issues into account. I see what he is trying to add here, but it is not necessary in the sense that, as a matter of course, the commission and the regulator would take appropriate international standards into account. I am satisfied the section is widely drafted and encompasses the consideration of appropriate international...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The European Commission has been working on an amending directive which will be submitted to the Council of Ministers of Transport in the near future. The new directive will amend the existing Council Directive 96/67/EC on which the 1998 regulations are based. When the amending directive is adopted by the Council, further regulation will be needed to transpose its provisions into Irish law....

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Regarding the borrowing level, the figure of €20 million was deemed appropriate by the Minister for Finance, myself and the Government in our discussions on the draft legislation. I confirm that it can be amended by order under section 36 of the 1998 Act. That figure can, therefore, be changed with the consent of the Minister and the authority could, if appropriate, request that it wants...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Report and Final Stages. (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I thank Seanad for taking the Bill this week. As I said last night, I was wrong to suggest last week that we should deal with it then. Given the number of contributions made, it would have been wrong to rush it through last week. It was a good idea to take the extra time this week to deal with it. I am glad wiser people decided the Seanad should meet to debate the Bill properly. I have...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I will clarify this for the Deputy. It is envisaged that the Irish Aviation Authority will continue to provide terminal services at the three State airports in the future. However, should any of the airport authorities decide to secure those services from an alternative source, the airport authority concerned must secure the consent of the Irish Aviation Authority. It will not be a...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The IAA must ensure that.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Section 9(5) provides that "the memorandum and articles of association of Aer Rianta may be amended in such manner as may for the purpose of the restructuring be determined by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance". This is an enabling provision in the event that any amendment is required to Aer Rianta's memoranda and articles to take account of the restructuring. After...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I confirm there will be consultation.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I sympathise with what the Senator is trying to achieve here. However, this is happening. Appointments for Shannon and Dublin have already been made and the Senator can see the quality of the persons appointed. Appointments will be made for Cork shortly and we will have similar quality persons there. The amendment seeks that we consult local development associations and chambers of commerce....

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: These are legitimate concerns. Through this legislation, the Government and I have no intention of interfering with the careers of the fine chief executives and directors at Cork, Shannon or Dublin Airports. There are a number of protections in the Bill which ensure this. Section 9(11) states: Prior to their respective appointed days, a Chief Executive may be appointed to Cork Airport...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The directors at Cork and Shannon Airports are direct employees in the sense of being directors rather than chief executives. Boards will have to have the freedom to appoint chief executives. I am taking on board what has been said by Senators and I will make it clear to the boards concerned that they must deal with these issues justly and fairly. The position at Dublin Airport is technically...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Amendment No. 33 would amend section 10(1) to specify the authorised share capital after the appointed day. This amendment is not in line with the approach of the Bill generally. Sections 6 and 10 are inter-linked. Section 6(2) and (3) provide that, after the passing of the Act, the Minister shall, following consultation with the Minister for Finance, form two public limited companies, namely...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (14 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: No.