Results 8,741-8,760 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The primary role of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, which is provided for in the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004, is to provide an independent appeals process for members of the Defence Forces. Such appeals arise where a complaint has been processed through the internal Defence Forces “redress of wrongs” process but the member remains dissatisfied with the outcome or...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The Defence Forces have a full-time Minister for Defence. As has been my practice for about 30 years, I do two days work in one day by starting at 5 a.m. and finishing some time between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. When I was in opposition, that allowed me to continue to work as a solicitor and it now facilitates my being able to deal with defence issues in a very effective and hands on way. I am...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Since its launch in July 2004 the Reserve Defence Force review implementation plan has provided the framework for the development of the Reserve. This plan sought to progressively develop Reserve capabilities and had an implementation timeframe that extended to the end of 2009. A value for money, VFM, review of the Reserve Defence Force commenced in February 2010. It was intended that the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The recommendations in the report encompass all aspects of the Reserve, including future roles for the Reserve. There is no suggestion that the Reserve will be abolished. I can give assurances in that regard. The Deputy must appreciate that it would be premature of me to engage in discussions at this point, pending completion of the VFM process which deals with recommendations and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reserve (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: There is a real difference between the establishment figures of the Reserve and the actual figures. The Army Reserve establishment is 9,292 and the effective strength is 4,293, although not all of those are engaging in the training days made available to them. The Naval Service Reserve projected establishment is 400 and the real figure is 180. Therefore, the effective strength of the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Army Barracks (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Since the announcement of the Government decision on barrack closures in November 2011, the Department of Defence has written to each Government Department and various agencies and local authorities seeking expressions of interest in acquiring any of the properties to benefit the local community. In this regard, there have been discussions between officials from the Department and a number...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: In the context of the very serious economic crisis the country is experiencing, all elements of defence expenditure have been critically reviewed to deliver savings. In this context, initiatives such as the re-organisation of the Permanent Defence Force are an essential step in ensuring operational capabilities are maintained and all assigned roles continue to be fulfilled. I am aware...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: All Members agree the murder of Mr. David Black was an appalling and disgraceful atrocity. It was the sacrifice of the life of a good man for the achievement of no identifiable objective. It was done by people who have no moral compass and no insight into, or concern for, the lives of those they target or the impact on families of the horrendous loss suffered. It was a terrible event and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Defence Forces Reorganisation (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I entirely reject the suggestion that morale is at an all-time low. We have extraordinarily efficient and well-trained Defence Forces. A substantial number of them are undertaking UN duty in southern Lebanon and a member of the Defence Forces is in charge of a UN mission based in Uganda to provide assistance in Somalia. Members of the Defence Forces with particular skill and expertise are...

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 118:In page 72, line 14, to delete “should” and substitute “shall”.The purpose of this amendment is to correct a grammatical error in the text of section 78.

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 119:In page 72, lines 21 and 22, to delete all words from and including “at” in line 21 down to and including “Arrangement,” in line 22 and substitute the following: “as respects a Debt Settlement Arrangement, at any time during which the arrangement concerned is in effect,”.The purpose of amendments Nos. 119 and 183 is to improve the...

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Amendments Nos. 120 to 123, inclusive, refer to section 79 and seek to increase the time period for an application by a creditor or personal insolvency practitioner to the appropriate court to have a debt settlement arrangement terminated where the debtor has been arrears with payment for a period of not less than three months to a period of six months. Deputy Collins raised this point on...

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 128:In page 73, line 44, to delete “otherwise;” and substitute “otherwise; or”.These are technical drafting amendments which are required to ensure consistency in the terminology used in the Bill.

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 129:In page 74, line 10, after “debtor” to insert “concerned”.These are technical drafting amendments to improve the clarity of the references to the debtor in sections 83 and 120.

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I oppose the amendments. Deputy Collins seeks to reduce the period prior to the debtor seeking to agree a debt settlement arrangement during which a transaction at under value or at a preference which seeks to deny creditors' their legitimate rights may be challenged by a creditor. The reduction he is seeking is from three years to two. The three year period provides a useful deterrent to...

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 110:In page 65, lines 22 and 23, to delete "shall be 14 days, but such period".Amendment No. 110 is being discussed with amendment No. 169. The purpose of these amendments is to remove superfluous references to the 14-day notice period for creditors meetings in sections 69 and 107. The 14-day notice period is already provided for in sections 65 and 102.

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 111:In page 66, lines 10 and 11, to delete "section 69(3)" and substitute "section 70(3)".This amendment corrects a cross-referencing error in the text of section 71.

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 112:In page 66, to delete lines 15 to 18 and substitute the following: "(2) The hearing of an objection lodged under section 70(3) shall be heard with all due expedition.".The purpose of these drafting amendments is to improve the clarity of the provision regarding court hearings of objections to the coming into effect of a debt settlement agreement or a personal...

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 113:In page 66, line 22, to delete "by the Insolvency Service" and substitute "under section 56".These proposed amendments seek to correct drafting errors in the text of sections 72 and 110. As currently worded, the text refers to the protective certificate being issued by the insolvency service when, in fact, the certificate will be issued by the appropriate court.

Personal Insolvency Bill: Report Stage (Resumed) (7 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 114:In page 67, lines 17 and 18, to delete all words from and including "every" in line 17 down to and including "meeting" in line 18 and substitute the following: "in respect of every specified debt, the creditor concerned,".These are technical amendments which aim to ensure that all relevant creditors are bound by debt settlement arrangement or personal insolvency...