Results 10,241-10,260 of 15,268 for speaker:Kathleen Lynch

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: Calculating 50% of one's final salary is a much cleaner approach. The figure of €60,000 would have to be returned to time and again because, no matter what condition the country is in 20 years from now, constant review will be required. If one applies a ceiling of 50% to the final salary, it comprises an absolute. It is very clear and straightforward as to how one would proceed. As I...

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: I move amendment No. 17: In page 25, to delete lines 13 to 44 and substitute the following: "(2) In this section "referable amounts in respect of each calendar year or part of a calendar year", in relation to a calendar year or part of a calendar year of service, means— (a) in the case of a pension, an amount calculated at a rate of— (i) 0.58 per cent of the Scheme member's pensionable...

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: For new entrants.

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: I am speaking from the notes provided to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, who apologises for not being here. The difficulty that arises is that currently there is no upper age limit set. This legislation seeks to put in place a limit. As already stated by the Minister, this provision will not apply to people already in the system. Deputy McDonald has discussed...

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: Before we move on, I would like to deal with a drafting error in the Bill in respect of which the Minister had not been briefed earlier. In accordance with Standing Order 140, I ask that the Ceann Comhairle direct the Clerk of the Dáil to make the following change to the Bill. In page 32, the last three lines should be indented so that it is clear that they only refer to paragraph (b) which...

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: The amendment seeks the deletion of the subsection which provides that former or current Oireachtas Members shall not be members of the single scheme. I reiterate what the Minister had to say at the opening of this debate, namely, that we cannot legislate retrospectively in these matters. The Government decided that the single pension scheme should extend to new or first time Members of the...

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: We will not be accepting the amendment. As Deputy McDonald has already said, this will come as no great surprise. This matter was well thrashed out on Committee Stage. We cannot allow a Minister - either the Minister for Finance or the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform - not to have this power. While the power already exists, it is not used in any way to ensure people do not get...

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: It is very difficult to see the Opposition being happy - I have been there and I do not think that is its job. The Minister and his officials are working on the list as was explained on Committee Stage. That list is not fully formed yet. I do not believe there will be a difficulty as soon as the list is completed. It is not normal, but I do not think there will be a difficulty. The list...

Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Bill 2011: Report Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: Shame on a Deputy who makes assumptions without listening to the reply. The Deputy may refer to the fact that Departments were able to publish lists of allowances payable. It is certainly true that they published lists of allowances payable in each Department. These are Civil Service allowances, many of which are personal to holders and therefore would not have been payable to new...

Seanad: Courts Service (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: While I am sure there is no way there could be interference, this debate will probably bring the matter to the attention of somebody.

Seanad: Mental Health Services (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: I am always reluctant to read a script. As the last script got me into so much trouble, I am even more reluctant. I am always reluctant to read a script when it comes to mental health, but there is an element of this that Senator van Turnhout needs to hear. Dublin-mid-Leinster has had a significant shortfall of nursing staff in mental health services but compares favourably with other...

Seanad: Mental Health Services (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: We must manage expectations. When the teams are in place we must be conscious that they will require a settling-in period and must gel if they are to work well. They also need to know what we expect from them. A Vision for Change set out where the teams should be, whom they should serve and what should be on the table. We now need to start looking beyond that and plan the process. What...

Seanad: Courts Service (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: I am taking this debate on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who thanks Senator Harte for raising the matter. As the Senator will appreciate, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the service and the Minister does not have a role in the matter. In addition, the allocation of court business, scheduling of court...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: The priorities for the NCCP under its medical oncology programme are development of national multidisciplinary clinical practice guidelines which are under way for breast, lung, gastrointestinal, prostate and gynaecological cancer; a review of medical oncology services from a quality assurance and safety perspective, commencing in September 2012; continual assessment of new drugs and related...

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: Very shortly.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: Next week.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: I do believe it.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: It is now available. There is no problem with that.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: It is being brought here next week.

Seanad: Access to Cancer Treatment Bill 2012: Second Stage (11 Jul 2012)

Kathleen Lynch: Next week.