Results 10,481-10,500 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: -----the budget deficit, but also in regard to the difficulties we were facing with the financial crisis as well. These issues were all highly pressurised.
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: I remind Deputies that some of the international commentary since this time last year has praised the decisions made by the Government in this regard.
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: I am trying to be helpful to the Deputies opposite, but it is highly significant that the Government's initiatives have been acknowledged internationally, and this is enormously significant. There was a time when------
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: -----there was a great deal of innuendo around the world concerning the Irish economy-----
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: -----and there was a feeding frenzy which was undermining the economy. In fairness, most people in this House were responsible, but----
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: ------much of the commentary outside the House had an enormously damaging impact on the reputation of the economy. Happily and thankfully----
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: ------as regards Ireland's reputation, we have turned the corner and it has been re-established. We must now ensure we continue with the policies that are accepted as necessary for getting back to a situation where the budget deficit is reined in, we bring competitiveness back into the economy and start to create employment opportunities again.
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: That is easier said than done, however. The overall situation as regards the Bill is that we cannot just take this in isolation. It is part of an overall corpus of legislation that is coming through the process. In the context of this particular Bill, while it took some time, it is important to realise that it required much discussion-----
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: Some day Deputy English could be on this side of the House and he might reflect, in the event, that those words of wisdom from Minister of State, Deputy Kelleher, were much appreciated.
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: We had to have discussions with the European Commission as well because of the fact-----
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: -----there is a services directive, inter alia, as well as the Treaty of Rome. We had to get some guidance to ensure we were not in conflict with EU directives as regards the free movement of goods and services etc., so it took some time to get clarity on those issues. However, we believe a Bill is in place that is not in conflict with the EU, which at the same time will provide strong...
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: Reference was made-----
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: I refer to the remarks made by Deputy Ferris. When he leaves the House he will be clear about the Government's view of protecting workers' pay and conditions. He referred to the inability to pay clause in the area of EROs and REAs. There is already an inability to pay clause in the minimum wage. It has not been invoked or used and we are hopeful that will always be the case and that the...
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: We wish to secure an economy that can support that wage level. Such decisions are made elsewhere but this is my view and it is also a wider societal issue. I refer to the broader issue which is important. It appears there is a move to push for a race to the bottom but nothing could be further from the truth. The idea of an inability to pay clause is that in the event of a business or...
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: -----under pressure for a short duration, a mechanism is in place whereby in consultation and discussion with all interested parties, an arrangement may be reached for a period to allow those concerned to get over a hump or difficulty. That is the only purpose of the consideration of an inability to pay clause. People should focus on what it is trying to achieve, that is, to protect...
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: I commend the Bill to the House.
- Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009: Referral to Select Committee (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.
- Order of Business (25 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: Is the Deputy upset because Deputy Kenny is in Mayo?
- Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: We have heard it all now. There are a few tooth fairies around today.
- Order of Business (24 Feb 2010)
Billy Kelleher: Deputy Gilmore might be able to use his influence in this regard.