Results 7,001-7,020 of 7,404 for speaker:Mick Wallace

Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Report Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Will the Minister clarify one point? Am I right to think that if a person registers with an agency and is in full-time employment, he or she is guaranteed? I refer again to the construction sector. If the labour rate in that area is €14.80 per hour, as it was, will the agency worker working full-time for the agency who goes on to the site full-time be guaranteed the same rate or can the...

Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Report Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: It would appear that improvements are being made in this area. However, I am not sure just how good the rights a worker working for an agency will have. As building contractors, we used to sometimes employ agency workers, for a number of reasons. We generally kept our own direct employees but, if we were under pressure and needed them, we hired agency workers. They were paid at a rate...

Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Bill 2011: Report Stage (22 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: The Minister would be surprised by the number of people who remain on a full-time basis with agencies. I assure him that during a building boom a few years ago, most of the large building firms in this city had many more agency workers than direct employees on their books. This was because it had become somewhat more attractive to employ the former. I have not seen the figures - I would...

Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Legislation on a strategic investment bank has been promised for a long time. As the Taoiseach knows, small and medium-sized businesses are still having major difficulties accessing credit, and this is hampering employment and job creation. After a year, does the Taoiseach still plan on introducing this legislation, or has it been forgotten about?

Order of Business (22 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Will the investment bank be set up?

Written Answers — Nuclear Proliferation: Nuclear Proliferation (21 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 71: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the justification for Ireland's support of further European sanctions on Iran in view of our policy of neutrality; his views on reports that current sanctions on Iran mean the country is struggling to buy basic staples to feed its 74 million people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9626/12]

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: I was glad to see the Tánaiste visit Gaza. He has agreed previously in the House that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the main source of problems in the area. Will the Government lobby this year for a little sanity with regard to Iran, given that Israel might be tempted to take advantage of the US election in November? President Obama is probably at a vulnerable point where he is...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 64: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he accepts the evidence presented by Amnesty International and others that Shannon Airport has been used as a stopover point for renditions; if he will initiate an enquiry into the State's participation in this illegal activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9942/12]

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: I remind the Tánaiste that in June 2006 he said that the European Court of Human Rights, the United Nations Committee Against Torture and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights had all indicated that: [I]t is insufficient to accept the diplomatic assurances of another state that nothing illegal was happening on planes being used and chartered by the CIA, which are going through Irish...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: The chances of the Americans asking us for permission to bring through prisoners who they will torture are pretty slim. We have seen what has gone on Guantanamo Bay where only a handful of people have been convicted despite the numbers held in custody. I draw the Minister's attention to a comment by President Michael D. Higgins in December 2010, only 14 months ago. He stated: The...

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: The Minister stated the law is very robust in respect of control of airspace. Why did President Higgins, when he was a Labour Party Deputy, propose legislation to close the loopholes in Irish legislation to ensure rendition flights could no longer be possible if the Labour Party now believes everything is grand?

Human Rights Issues (21 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Why did President Higgins suggest it when he was a Deputy? The Minister did not answer my question.

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (15 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 20: To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to implement the recommendations made by the Law Reform Commission in relation to the regulation of professional home care, in view of his stated commitment to move towards a model of health care whereby more older persons, when appropriate, will be cared for in their homes rather than going into long-term residential care; and if he...

Written Answers — Health Services: Health Services (15 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 40: To ask the Minister for Health his views on a recent report by the Law Reform Commission which recommends that the Health Information and Quality Authority be empowered to regulate and monitor undertakings that provide professional home care; if he plans to implement any of the recommendations made in this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8491/12]

Finance Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (15 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: I propose to share time with Deputies Luke 'Ming' Flanagan and Donnelly. The Government said that this Finance Bill is geared towards creating jobs but I would have liked to see less emphasis on foreign direct investment and more on indigenous industry. Jobs and exports will come from foreign direct investment but, if we are serious about creating jobs, we must look more closely at the...

Departmental Reports (14 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: I am glad to hear the new strategy will involve a comprehensive early years policy. How will the new strategy address the alarming rates of child poverty in Ireland, with over 19% of children at risk of poverty and 9% of children living in consistent poverty? What are the Minister's views of the fact that measures introduced in the budget may result in an increase in these rates, given...

Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011: Second Stage (Resumed) (9 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: This is an important Bill and many decisions will be made. The legal profession impacts on many people's lives. The cost element needs to be tackled. When the legal profession comes to mind, the first thought that occurs to people is that availing of it costs too much. Prices have fallen in the past while. I remember how it was impossible to get a barrister for my business for less than...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Review: Defence Forces Review (8 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and his Secretary General have submitted proposals to him in relation to the reorganisation of the Defence Forces; when he will publish details of this reorganisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6941/12]

Written Answers — Defence Forces Review: Defence Forces Review (8 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received a report on the reorganisation of the Defence Forces from the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General of his Department; if further barrack closures are inevitable in view of his plan to reduce the number of Army brigades from three to two; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6942/12]

Private Members' Business: Community Employment Schemes: Motion (Resumed) (8 Feb 2012)

Mick Wallace: I also support the Sinn Féin motion. These cuts are a very bad idea. The Ferns community employment scheme contacted me shortly after the cuts were announced. They were upset and scared that their scheme will not survive if the cuts are implemented. Community employment schemes have much more to offer than they are being given credit for. Most of their participants are job seekers. They...