Results 9,261-9,280 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 21:In page 7, to delete lines 20 and 21 and substitute the following:“(d) communications requesting factual information or providing factual information in response to a request for the information;”.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I again thank the Deputy for her amendments and her persistence in this regard. Amendment No. 22 proposes to remove the exemption that would protect from disclosure information which would pose a threat to the safety of any person. Amendment No. 23 proposes to remove the exemption that would protect from disclosure information which could pose a threat to the security of the State. I...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Contracts (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 74 together. At the outset I would like to state that public works contracts are between the main contractor and the contracting authority.  Contracts between main contractors and subcontractors are a matter for those parties concerned and details are not available. Under EU Directives on public procurement public works, supplies and service...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In 2013 the Government reviewed the position on the payment of performance related reward schemes or bonuses for Chief Executive Officers in Commercial State Companies and agreed to continue with the policy which it introduced in 2011 of requesting the State Companies concerned not to award such bonus payments in light of the serious state of the public finances. Furthermore the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Semi-State Bodies Remuneration (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's question I can confirm that no performance-related awards were given to any Semi-State companies under my remit in 2013 and 2014.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Courts Service (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I assume the Deputy is referring to funding for the Courts Service, which in the first instance, is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Chief Justice has informed me that she is giving consideration to potential funding models for the service. Any proposals that arise will be subject to the normal estimates process between my Department and the Department of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Responsibility for identifying appropriate measures to address flood risk at Incherea, Glenbeigh rests with Kerry County Council in the first instance. While it is open to the Council to utilise its own resources, or to avail of funding that might be available from other sources to deal with the issue, subject to the Office of Public Works' (OPW) overall availability of funding for flood...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Monuments (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: The opening and closing dates of Skellig Michael for visitors in 2015 will be 15th May and 30th September. Previous attempts to remain open later in the season have inevitably led to a curtailment at short notice due to adverse weather conditions. Accordingly it is not proposed to extend the season into October in 2015. As is normal, the effective operational date for the Monument is...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Programme (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: My Department commenced a review of the public capital programme in April of last year in parallel with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. The purpose of the review is to assess all areas of public capital investment and to refresh the existing investment strategy and multi-annual envelopes to ensure that they are in line with emerging Government priorities and that our...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (15 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 82 together. Recruitment to the Civil Service and a range of other public bodies is handled under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 which established a central recruitment agency, the Public Appointments Service (PAS), for this purpose. The PAS operates under licence from the Commission for Public Service...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I move amendment No. 18:In page 7, between lines 8 and 9, to insert the following:(3) For the purposes of the operation of subsection (1)(b)in relation to a body in circumstances in which paragraph (b)or (c)of subsection (2)applies to the body, the body “makes” a relevant communication only⁠—(a) where it is made by an employee of the body, or (b) where it is made...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I thank the Deputy. I understand that, not only on this issue but others, she quite often pursues things vigorously. That is to her great credit. One of the main aims in the course of the development of the Bill was, as I have said repeatedly, to preserve the normal and proper communication and interaction between citizens and their local representatives. I want to ensure that, as far as...

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I will.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: It might be the Deputy, himself.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: There could be an alternative government if that were the case.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I want to be comprehensive in my response.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Correct.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: I thought that was implicit in what I said.

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: Would that not be a disincentive for them to seek such positions?

Registration of Lobbying Bill 2014: Report Stage (14 Jan 2015)

Brendan Howlin: No. I am saying that having to register as lobbyists would be a disincentive for people to seek such positions.