Results 12,001-12,020 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Measures (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy may be aware I made a comprehensive statement on this matter in the Seanad yesterday when I introduced a Report Stage amendment to the Protected Disclosures Bill making provision for the granting of interim relief orders on foot of an application made to the Circuit Court. The purpose of the amendment is to provide interim relief in cases where there is likely to be a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Issues (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for the public service and I am confident that the public service stands as a leading employer in respect of human resource policies and practices aimed at increasing the participation of women at all levels. While each individual sector has responsibility for the specific arrangements relating to gender...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Measures (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: The Valuation Act 2001 provides for the valuation of all commercial and industrial property and in this regard the Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the performance of his functions under the Act. The making of valuations for rating is the Commissioner’s sole prerogative and I, as Minister, have no function in decisions in this regard. Section 63 of the Act provides that...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Statute Book Review (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: On the 25th September, I announced that the Government had approvedthe continuation of a major programme to overhaul the Irish statute book and repeal thousands of obsolete regulations and laws. As part of the programme, the Government has approved the drafting of a number of Statute Law Revision Bills, which will continue the task of simplifying the statute book and improving its...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 89 together. The Haddington Road Agreement will deliver a €1 billion saving in the cost of the public service pay and pensions bill by 2016. The Agreement is already delivering on its objectives. In terms of cost reduction, €300 million of savings were incorporated into the various votes in the Revised Estimates Volume 2013, which...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Sale of State Assets (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: BGE and its advisers, working with NewERA and the relevant Government Departments, are currently in the final stages of the process of selling Bord Gais Energy together with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. I would hope to be in a position to make a definitive announcement on the matter in the coming weeks. I am advised that, as part of this process, BGE...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Industrial Relations Issues (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, the Labour Relations Commission has prepared a proposal regarding the issue of the National Lottery staff. These proposals have been put forward to An Post management, the An Post Group of Unions and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the basis that the relevant parties agree to recommend them for acceptance. Deliberations are still in progress and...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Appointments to State Boards (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question the following is a list of the number of appointments made to State Boards under my remit since March 2011: Board Name No. of Appointments made No. of Positions Advertised No. of Applications to Boards No. of Appointments drawn from Applications No. of Current Vacancies An Post National Lottery Board 8* - - - 1 Public Appointments Service...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Budgets (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 to 85, inclusive, 88, 90 and 91 together. The Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012-2014 (CER) published by my Department on 5 December 2011 set out current expenditure ceilings for Departments for the period 2012 to 2014. The ceilings and savings measures contained in the CER were informed by the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) carried out in...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (21 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together. The Government's commitment to the EU/IMF programme of financial support remains firm as is clearly illustrated by a continued strong record in implementing the agreed policy frameworks and measures while meeting all quantitative targets. Indeed, data released in the Exchequer Statement of 2 October indicated that the Exchequer primary...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I am particularly pleased to reply to the debate. Last week's decision by the Government was an historic one and marked the end not just of a programme but of a most difficult period for the people. Three years ago our sovereignty was ceded by a Government that had squandered the most prosperous period in our history. We had reached the point at which nobody would lend to the country...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In the absence of compelling reasons to do otherwise, our decision was the natural one to make. Last week we weighed up the options facing us. As the Minister for Finance has stated on more than one occasion-----

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: -----the decision was a finely balanced one and we were obliged to give it careful consideration. Following on from it, as the democratic Government, we took a decision that we were as well positioned to exit the programme as we could possibly be in a year's time. Our first action following the taking of the decision was to inform the people through the House of their directly elected...

Government Decision on Exiting Programme of Financial Support: Motion (Resumed) (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It was true.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I have considered it further. As I said on Committee Stage, I think it anomalous for me, as Minister, to issue guidelines in tort actions in this or any other Bill. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, whoever that person happens to be, is not in any better position than the courts themselves, and many would argue is in a much lesser position than the courts, to decide on what...

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I could state all the advices I have in terms of the constitutional role of the Dáil as being the representative body, and so on, but I am not sure I would be very convincing. The people have made their own discernment about the importance of this House. For those reasons, I accept the amendments.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I accept the amendment.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I accept the amendment.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I accept the amendment.

Seanad: Protected Disclosures Bill 2013: Report and Final Stages (20 Nov 2013)

Brendan Howlin: This group of amendments includes one of my own. I listened carefully to the debate and the positions presented and we had a good discourse on Committee Stage. Amendments Nos. 11, 12, and 21 are all linked to the issue of compensation and the basis on which that compensation is payable. I propose to address these amendments together. Amendment No. 11 proposes to replace the qualifying test...