Results 1,241-1,260 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Taoiseach made it clear this morning and the Tánaiste said it yesterday. Both of them said the tribunals have a very important job to do and that the tribunals would do their job to completion. They are both strongly of that view.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: They both said time and again that a great deal of money has gone into the tribunals——

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: All parties have agreed that is necessary. As the House is aware, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is engaged in correspondence with the tribunals and as soon as that has been completed the Government will look again at the matter.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: No decision has been taken by the Government in regard to counsel's fees. The matter is still under consideration between the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, and the Mahon tribunal.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The House will be aware that when the tribunal was contacted in 2004, it indicated it would have its work completed by March 2007. On that basis the then current rates continued to apply to counsel for the tribunal, up to and including that date. The current rates apply up to March 2007.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: In 2001, when three additional judges were appointed to the tribunal — at that stage it was called the Flood tribunal — it was expected at that time it would sit in individual divisions. The tribunal found itself unable to organise divisional sittings and, therefore, that did not happen.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: In regard to legal costs, the new schedule of fees has been applied to a number of tribunals, namely, the Barr, MacEntee and Smithwick tribunals. A lower level of fees now attaches to these tribunals. As agreed with the tribunal, at the end of March 2007 we will see how the discussions conclude with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Government will then...

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Deputy Kenny said a few moments ago, "Everybody knows these things cannot run indefinitely". That is exactly what he said. We agree with him.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We are drawing attention to the fact that perhaps up to hundreds of millions of euro of taxpayers' money has been spent.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We make no apology for drawing attention to that. The issue of fees is being dealt with.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Transparency.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I want to know if you are happy.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: Because if you are not happy, we are in trouble.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: The Deputy refers to the register of persons considered unsafe to work with children Bill. It is not possible to indicate at this stage when it will come forward because it requires detailed consideration with significant advice from the Attorney General.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is expected to publish the social welfare Bill tomorrow.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We can discuss it on the social welfare Bill next week.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I cannot, because the increases come into effect in April and the Bill has to be passed by the end of March. The Deputy is aware of that.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: I do not have any role in that matter.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: We will consider the matter and come back to the Deputy.

Order of Business (15 Feb 2007)

Séamus Brennan: It is being published tomorrow.