Results 11,321-11,340 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Priority Questions: Sale of State Assets (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I am pleased.

Priority Questions: Sale of State Assets (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I hope the Deputy enjoyed Wexford, too.

Priority Questions: Sale of State Assets (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy asked a number of questions. She will recall that I answered her first question in some detail at the committee meeting. I was asked whether I would be able to find money for voluntary redundancies among HSE administrators. I replied that we would have to find that money. However, I have allocated no money to that purpose, nor do I have immediate plans to do so. The moneys...

Priority Questions: Sale of State Assets (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I cannot remember the Deputy's other question.

Priority Questions: Sale of State Assets (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: In terms of flood damage, we have made an initial allocation of €70 million. We must see how much of that will be drawn down and spent this year. We have instructed each line Department to signal that the composition of that €70 million, for example, piers, roads, harbours and so on, is spent. We will see what additional money over and above that amount is required to be...

Priority Questions: Sale of State Assets (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I beg the Leas-Cheann Comhairle's pardon.

Priority Questions: Sale of State Assets (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy is well aware that we have a tight budgetary situation. Any human being seeing the disaster that befell the country in January would desperately look for some resource to give relief. It is a job-creating effort. It is a stimulus to build roads, rebuild harbours and promenades and undo the damage done by the unprecedented storms in January. I do not think the Deputy would resist...

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I made plain in my opening remarks that several authoritative international bodies had given this matter consideration and made recommendations as to best practice in respect of whistleblowing legislation. The similarity between the recommendations of these bodies is so striking as to confirm the need for workers to be protected against unscrupulous employers. I have had ongoing dialogue...

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: We have a tentative date but I need to finalise the latest amendment with the Department of Justice and Equality which I am still working on. I hope to get it before the end of March.

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Priority Questions: Sick Pay Scheme Reform (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I can be accused of many things but I am happy to answer anything anyone poses. I have no control over the questions that come in. I will go on to answer the first question that is tabled to me. The implementation of the new single sick leave scheme for the public service generally will commence next month. The effective date for the new scheme will be 31 March...

Priority Questions: Sick Pay Scheme Reform (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: We had a long discussion about this because I provided for this in legislation for the first time. We have gone through the legislative debate, including a Committee Stage debate on these matters. I accepted an amendment in terms of doing it by way of regulation in order that we would have a chance to lay it out in some terms. I think the amendment was from Deputy Fleming although it might...

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I thank all Members who contributed. I believe this is the fourth occasion the Bill is before the House, which is because it is important legislation. I suppose events of recent times have underscored its importance and topicality but also its centrality in the reform agenda the Government is putting in place. I thank all Members for their very varied and interesting contributions, some...

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Will the Deputy talk about the Protected Disclosures Bill?

Protected Disclosures Bill 2013 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: It would be a novelty so far if the Deputy does.

Allegations in relation to An Garda Síochána: Statements (Resumed) (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: An obnoxious man.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: State Properties (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: The powers and functions relating to property which previously vested in the Minister for Finance transferred in July 2011 to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform under the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 2011 and S.I. No. 418/2011 Finance (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2011.  The powers in relation to State property...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Irish Language Issues (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: One of my Department s objectives or aims contained in the 20 Year Strategy on the Irish Language is to strengthen and develop language awareness and language training programmes so that a higher proportion of public service staff are truly functional in Irish and can deliver services in Irish to customers who seek them. In this regard my Department has devolved responsibility for the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Open Government Partnership (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: Ireland will host a European-level Open Government Partnership (OGP) conference in Dublin Castle on 8th and 9th May. The conference will be a 2 day event with up to 300 participants expected to attend. Ministers, Government officials from European countries participating in the OGP, representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations, representatives of international and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (26 Feb 2014)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 17, 103 and 108 together. Gross voted expenditure has been reduced from its peak of €63.1 billion in 2009 to €54.6 billion in 2013.  This represents a reduction of approximately 13.5 per cent between 2009 and 2013.  Estimated voted expenditure for 2014 will be in the region of €53 billion with a targeted General Government...