Results 11,461-11,480 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I would like to know where the Opposition would make savings because I only hear the same mantra, that the boom times were squandered.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: This is one of the most important debates we have had in a long time and it should not be trivialised. We can be very proud of having substantially reduced the national debt over the past ten years.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Opposition continually asks what was done with the budget surpluses. This is what was done with them. The national debt was reduced substantially, with major investment in the National Pensions Reserve Fund and the national development plan——

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: ——and these areas of the economy are sound. We must ensure we remain competitive. Wage restraint and keeping taxation low will be of fundamental importance during the next 18 months. I urge all those involved in social partnership to sit down, ensure they come up with an agreement which protects the vulnerable and the low paid and ensures everybody across society carries this burden...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (9 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: At the end of the day, the most fundamental issue is that we remain competitive and I am sure my colleagues will continue to speak in this vein. What we are doing is right and proper and the Opposition making nice, juicy soundbites will not serve any citizen, be it those under pressure in the construction industry or in other areas.

Written Answers — Industrial Disputes: Industrial Disputes (8 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The system of industrial relations in Ireland is essentially voluntary in nature. The State has established a number of institutions to assist in the resolution of trade disputes between employers and workers, including the Labour Court and the Labour Relations Commission. The experience and expertise of these bodies are available free of charge to disputing parties. The parties may utilise...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (8 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: In accordance with commitments given under Towards 2016, the Social Partnership Agreement, the number of Inspectors was scheduled to increase from 31 to 90 Inspectors by the end of 2007. Competitions were held in 2007 for the recruitment of the additional fifty-nine Inspectors provided for under the Social Partnership Agreement Towards 2016. Fifty-seven inspectors have been assigned to NERA...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (8 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: A request for tender for carrying out the survey referred to in the reply to Question No 311 of 31 October, 2007 was published by my Department on the Government's e-tenders website in October, 2007. However, no tenders were received and, consequently it was not possible to proceed with the survey as planned. Subsequently, my Department has discussed with the Central Statistics Office the...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (8 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The numbers of actual redundancies notified to my Department for the period 1 January to 30 June 2008 are shown in the following table. Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Actual Redundancies received under the Redundancy Scheme during the period, 1st January to 30th June 2008 Industrial Group Number of Employees Male Female Total Agriculture/Forestry and Fisheries 256 65 321...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (8 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances as amended by Directive 2003/105/EC [known as the Seveso Directive] applies to all establishments where the inventory of dangerous substances exceeds specified thresholds. The European Communities [Control of Major Accident Hazards] Regulations 2006, S.I. No. 74 of 2006, which brings the...

Seanad: Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: It refers to "Distillates (petroleum), hydrotreated heavy naphtha, deisohexaniser overheads; Low boiling point hydrogen treated naphtha", which is just one example of the technical detail of the REACH regulations. Senator Phelan asked whether there would be implementation differences in other member states but the fact that this is a regulation means no deviation is allowed. All member...

Seanad: Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: We always take on board advice from the other side of the House if it is positive, proactive and sensible. Certainly the amendments tabled by the Opposition in this case were all of these. However, the HSA does not have to publish in the context of prohibition notices. This is left up to the discretion of the HSA for good reason which was explained in the other House. I again thank...

Seanad: Chemicals Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: We looked at this because this amendment was moved on Committee and Report Stages in the Dáil. The advice we received is that it is unnecessary to include it and that if we did so, we could set precedents because it would have to be included in other legislation in which it is not currently included. There is a strong corpus of legislation to protect privilege which is primarily a matter...

Seanad: Chemicals Bill 2008: Committee and Remaining Stages (3 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I welcome the contributions of Members in both Houses. It is important legislation and the regulations are already in place. I wish to state my admiration for and thanks to the MEPs of all sides, who were involved in the initial drafting of the REACH regulation, and our officials. I also thank the officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment who sat up long hours...

Seanad: Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I am pleased to bring before this House the Chemicals Bill 2008. The Bill has passed all stages in the Dáil and reflects amendments based on some important issues raised by Opposition parties. I will highlight these in going through the Bill. The main purpose of the legislation is to facilitate the enforcement of certain EU regulations concerning chemicals. These EU regulations include...

Seanad: Chemicals Bill 2008: Second Stage (3 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I thank the Senators for their kind words and for their broad expressions of support for the Bill. The official journal, L136 of 2007 contains the REACH regulations and while Senator MacSharry argued that the Chemicals Bill would not win any literary prizes, the same could also be said of the official journal. It is probably as complex as the Lisbon treaty. I encourage Senators to obtain a...

Order of Business (3 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Magnus Magnusson.

Written Answers — Company Closures: Company Closures (1 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Claims under the Insolvency Payments Scheme were received from the Receiver of the company in June in relation to one hundred and twenty-five employees. A payment will issue to the Receiver in the coming week.

Order of Business (1 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Deputy Bruton sold it for £1.

Chemicals Bill 2008: Order for Report Stage (1 Jul 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."