Results 7,501-7,520 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Retirements (26 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: For staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas Service who are civil servants of the State, there are differing compulsory retirement ages depending on when one first entered the relevant pension scheme. These are 65, 70 and no upper age limit. Members of the Oireachtas have no fixed retirement age, as they are not employees, but elected office holders.  While the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions Levy (26 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The public service Pension-related Deduction (PRD), which applies to the pay of most pensionable public servants, was introduced with effect from 1 March 2009 under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI) Act 2009. It remains a key part of the overall set of public service pay and pension retrenchment measures legislated over the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Measures (26 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question, no proposals have been put forward by managerial staff from any agencies under my remit to alter the roll-out of public services which were delayed, postponed or abandoned as a result of non-cooperation by trade union representatives.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Pensions (21 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I refer the Deputy to the answer 2317/16 which I gave on this matter on 19 January 2016.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: One of the things I am proudest of in this term of office is that we put in place an appointment system for State boards. Those reforms previously received very little media coverage despite the transformation of a system that has been the subject of political controversy since I first entered politics. There are now more than 4,600 people registered on a dedicated website, stateboards.ie,...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Only 30% of applications are from women, which is something I would like to have examined in the review of the system which will take place in the next few months. We are here tonight debating whether an eminent public figure, not a member of the party led by the Tánaiste, who is considering standing against the candidates of the Labour Party in the forthcoming Seanad election, and...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Deputy McDonald's colleague said they were secret, so he obviously did not read them.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Perhaps the Deputy should have read the guidelines to him.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The appointment was made in a manner consistent with the guidelines.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The accusation is that the appointment of an eminent person, that nobody has said is not suitable for the post, who was appointed in accordance with the procedures, is an act of cronyism. It is the most bizarre charge of cronyism I have come across in all my time in politics.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: When we designed this new system we knew that there would have to be exceptions. We set them out clearly for those who are worker directors and those in NewERA companies, among others. Following the publication of the guidelines not a single Member of this House, nor the commentariat, raised any concern about the clause. Mr. Begg's skill-set is well known. He is respected by all sides...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: It is a generous thing for IBEC to have done, as it too has been subject to abuse from the quarter responsible for this pantomime tonight, but I suspect those involved in IBEC know the importance of making progress on the crucial issue of pensions is more important than petty political point scoring. Yet that is precisely the calling card of the main mover of this motion tonight. Deputy Ross...

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Nobody interrupted Deputy McDonald.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: How outrageous.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Secretly published.

Confidence in Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: Under which category does David Begg fall?

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Referral to Select Committee (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: It is a failure and an abandonment of management, not a responsibility of trade unions. The trade union movement of course is tightly regulated by law. The final speaker was Deputy Durkan. I agree with him and thank him for stating one cannot tar everybody with the same brush. The idea that somehow, because corruption is identified, everyone in public administration is corrupt must be...

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: The Acting Chairman is getting anxious now.

Public Sector Standards Bill 2015: Second Stage (Resumed) (20 Jan 2016)

Brendan Howlin: I thank all Deputies for their contributions and for the warm welcome everyone has given to this legislation. All the legislation I have introduced over the past five years - this is likely to be the last of this Dáil - has not received unanimous welcome and support, although some legislation concerning ethics has. I will reserve some of my commentary because this Second Stage debate...