Results 11,601-11,620 of 12,082 for speaker:Mary Butler

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Public Water Forum (22 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: Today we were discussing equity, fairness and conservation. The expert commission under Mr. Duffy reported that the necessary measures should be put in place to give effect to the commitment that those who have paid their water bills to date will be treated no less favourably than those who have not. I firmly believe that a huge portion of our deliberations will be based on the issue so we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Public Water Forum (22 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: Professor Collins mentioned that the forum will meet on 9 March-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Public Water Forum (22 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: -----and that he will make a submission on the matter to the committee. It is important that we would get that submission as soon as possible because we are operating to a very tight timeframe and it will play a huge part in our deliberations.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Future Funding of Domestic Water Services: Public Water Forum (22 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: In regard to the earlier discussion with Ms Graham around what form repayments would take and the suggestion that this be done by way of increased tax credits, it is important to put on record that there are many people in Ireland who do not pay tax. For example, people aged 65 years or older do not pay tax and so a refund via tax credits would not work for them.

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Basic Payment Scheme Eligibility (22 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: 214. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the programme for Government commitment to seeking recognition from the European Commission for forgotten farmers as a group with specific disadvantage under the national reserve in the same way that old young farmers are currently provided for; when he expects to complete the programme; and if he will make a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: I remind members, visitors and those in the Public Gallery to ensure their mobile phones are switched off or on flight mode for the duration of the meeting as they interfere with the broadcasting equipment even when on silent mode. I welcome Ms Marguerite Bolger, SC, who specialises in labour and employment law, and Ms Cathy Maguire, BL, chairperson of the Employment Bar Association, to the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: Will Ms Bolger explain how the test referred to in paragraph 38 of her submission would work? Along with others, she has stated that the six month period appears to be too short. What timeframe would she consider more appropriate and what other legislation would need to be adhered to in terms of implementation of that timeframe?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: Is the six month timeframe sufficient in terms of identifying real need? Many of the submissions we received have raised issues around the six month timeframe. In fairness to the Deputy who proposed this Bill, he is open to any suggestions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: In paragraph 9 of their submission the witnesses highlight the terms "worker" and "employer" and say they are imported from different Acts. Would this cause problems in the application of the Bill if it is not addressed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: That is very important. Is Ms Maguire saying that under the Industrial Relations Act 1990 the term "worker" does not refer to teachers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: If we use the term "worker" here this Bill would exclude teachers. Is that what Ms Maguire is saying?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: That is a valid point.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: The stated aim of this Bill is to give workers a contract that reflects the hours they habitually work. Do the witnesses believe this Bill would do that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: Would there be difficulties in applying the Bill in its current form?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: We learn something every day. They are State employees. The witnesses see difficulties in applying the Bill at present.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: I have one final question, which relates to something all of those who made submissions to the committee raised. There is a part in the Bill which seeks that one's working hours would be displayed publicly in two different languages. That seemed to give rise to a lot of issues with the people who came before us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: I have one final question, is the draft Bill compatible with the Constitution?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: As there are no further questions I thank Ms Bolger and Ms Maguire very much for coming before the committee today and for their presentation. The meeting has been very informative. For some of us it has been an eye opener, for example, to hear that teachers are not classed as workers. There are issues we will have to revisit in detail. If we need confirmation or clarification on any...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016: Discussion (Resumed) (21 Feb 2017)

Mary Butler: There is no doubt the contribution of the witnesses today was most valuable. I thank them very much.