Results 7,761-7,780 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: It is very difficult when one is constantly heckled.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I mentioned the point made by Senator Sheahan. Senator Norris spoke about Members of the Oireachtas. I have not excluded them from the benefits of this. I have not excluded any group from the benefits of this for a very good reason. Again, I want to be clear about this. This is emergency legislation because cutting pay is a very unusual thing to do and can only be done in very clear...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will deal with all of the questions asked, if Members bear with me.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will do so seriatum, as I have written them down. Senator Kathryn Reilly raised an issue that was also mentioned in the other House. There is a separate agreement which was formally agreed to under the HRA in respect of the unique third cut only for public servants earning in excess of €65,000. A schedule of repayments was provided for in the agreement. I will adhere to it...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I am delighted to hear it.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: With regard to the Garda, I made a point about allowances, additional hours and so on. I will adhere to the agreements to which I have signed up.

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: However, I cannot collapse the FEMPI legislation because I will not undo the economic progress we have made as a nation. Senator Terry Brennan echoed what was said on the local authority members' issue. Senator Fidelma Healy Eames talked about the punitive measures under section 4. I respect anybody who does not want to be part of a collective agreement, but people cannot be half in and...

Seanad: Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015: Second Stage (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: If I was to accept that it was possible for individuals to opt out, it would collapse the agreement, as the Senators know full well. On the issue of part-time workers, everybody will benefit pro rata. I cannot talk about individuals, but on a pro ratabasis, the benefits will apply to working time. If the Senator would like to outline me the details of a case, I will ask my officials to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Local Authority Rates (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Inconsistency in the approach to the exemption from rates for childcare and education facilities and calls to exempt all such providers were among the issues raised at a number of stages during the passage of the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015.  As a result, I secured Government approval for a Seanad Report Stage amendment to insert into Schedule 4 of the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Data (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware,  I announced the ending of the Moratorium on Public Service Recruitment and Promotion as part of last year's Budget announcement, and at that time I also provided for the recruitment of a significant amount of new staff in the Health, Education and Justice sectors, among others.  As part of last month's Budget, for...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Redundancies (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Voluntary redundancy proposals are a matter for management based on the business needs of a particular organisation. Where an organisation wishes to introduce a targeted voluntary redundancy scheme  a business case would be forwarded via the parent Department to my Department for sanction. In the case of a North South Implementation Body, sanction would also be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Valuation Office (24 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Global valuations of public utility undertakings are an important and integral part of the Local Government rating system and each utility is valued every five years. The public utilities revalued in 2015, or their predecessors, were first valued in 2005 and subsequently valued in 2010.  In line with the 5-yearly cycle prescribed by section 53(6) of the Valuation Act 2001, as amended by...

Other Questions: Office of Government Procurement (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The enforcement of tax, social welfare and employment legislation, as well as health and safety and building control regulations, etc., apply equally to public and private sector contracts. Consequently, it is not for me, as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to set out a separate policy for public sector contracts. It is the responsibility of each contracting authority to ensure...

Other Questions: Office of Government Procurement (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: As to who is responsible, the contracting body, if it is an agency or a Department, is the contractor. Obviously, they are aided and guided by the new OGP. It sets out overarching frameworks to ensure European and domestic laws are fully applied. Any contract is with the contracting party, which is the agency or the Department awarding the contract. Regarding the Construction Contracts...

Other Questions: Office of Government Procurement (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Any contractor on site in Ireland is subject to all the normal health and safety, taxation and other laws that apply. The agencies that supervise these contractors have full access to them and ensure compliance with these laws. There is no difference between a contractor sited and registered in the State and a contractor who happens to be outside of the State in terms of their legal...

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts Social Clauses (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: We support social clauses and are examining how they can be applied. Social clauses have been included in the contracts we have done under the stimulus package. Additional information not given on the floor of the House The Government supports the use of social clauses in a manner which can address issues such as social exclusion, long-term unemployment or provide enhanced opportunities...

Other Questions: Public Procurement Contracts Social Clauses (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: It is a matter in which I have taken direct interest. I have to avoid dislodging SMEs by putting in social contracts. It is a balance which we are examining with some great care. The operation of this clause has already been successfully piloted and local Intreo offices have worked closely with the appointed contractors to support the pilot initiative. The OGP is developing guidance on...

Other Questions: Wild Atlantic Way Project (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I agree entirely with the Deputy on the need to ensure visitors are informed about what there is to see in this country. The success of the Wild Atlantic Way took all of us, even Fáilte Ireland, by surprise. It was a good idea which was marketed very well. In the aftermath of The Gathering, it was a question of finding the next big idea and that big idea has been extraordinarily...

Other Questions: Wild Atlantic Way Project (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I take the Deputy's point. Ensuring there is proper road-sign planning and signage and developing a sophisticated app are not mutually exclusive endeavours. We need to do both. Some people like to plan their tourism route in detail, in which case an app would be very useful. Others are more opportunistic, will see a sign and decide to visit a place. We do not want people to sail past...

Other Questions: Employment Rights (19 Nov 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I note the Deputy submitted a similar question to my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, on 4 November, in his reply to which he pointed out that it was up to an individual, following consideration of the terms on which voluntary redundancy was being offered, to decide whether to avail of voluntary redundancy. The terms that should apply in the case of redundancy of...