Results 13,361-13,380 of 14,706 for speaker:Phil Hogan

Business Regulation Forum. (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: The Minister refused to do it at first, but he has done it now.

Business Regulation Forum. (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: There is a regulatory burden on us all.

Business Regulation Forum. (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I do not know where we heard previously of a policy of reducing the regulatory burden by 25%.

Business Regulation Forum. (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: No, the Minister heard it first as part of Fine Gael's policy. We have been proposing that for the last three years, but the Government has been ignoring our efforts.

Business Regulation Forum. (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: Of course that is the case. After ten years in office, I would have expected the Government to have a done a great deal to reduce the regulatory burden, which is currently such an important issue. Like all other Government conversions to Fine Gael policy, this conversion is welcome. I am glad that the Minister said this is an important issue. He has accepted this report, just like he...

Commissions of Investigation: Motions (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: Fine Gael will support the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the tragic and unfortunate circumstances of the death of an inmate in Mountjoy Prison, Mr. Gary Douch. I am sorry, however, that the Minister of State had to lace his speech on such an unfortunate matter with the usual rhetoric of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. He is obliged to do it but the...

Commissions of Investigation: Motions (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: The Minister of State is good at buying and selling land but we will hear a lot about value for money in the next three weeks. I welcome the Government's decision to establish this commission of investigation. I compliment Mr. Michael Mellett for exposing in a clear, concise way the problems associated with the experience of Gary Douch, the tragic circumstances surrounding his death and the...

Commissions of Investigation: Motions (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: Matters are moving very fast today.

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I note the Leas-Cheann Comhairle ruled out of order a couple of amendments and I accept the ruling. However, I wish to make some observations on the section. I tabled the amendments in question in respect of an issue regarding Castlemahon Food Products Limited, which is in liquidation. A provisional liquidator was appointed on 26 September 2006 and the parent company was located in County...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: While I accept that this legislation arises from the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, I suggest that we should also address a separate set of circumstances. I understand that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is considering amending the insolvency Acts to cater for the cases under discussion. Perhaps the Minister of State will indicate how much progress has been...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 1: In page 5, subsection (1), lines 34 to 36, to delete "Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Act 2007" and substitute the following: "Protection of Employment (Collective Redundancies) (Amendment) Act 2007". The amendment merely changes the Short Title of the Bill from something extremely unwieldy to something that is both...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 4: In page 6, subsection (2), line 39, after "period" where it firstly occurs to insert "or periods". This is a technical amendment to clarify the meaning of subsection (2). Perhaps the Minister of State would like to comment on what impact that will have on the section.

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I am pleased to have moved an amendment in the name of another Deputy and have it agreed.

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 5: In page 6, subsection (2)(a), line 41, before "both" to insert "both Houses of the Oireachtas or". Deputy Quinn and I have tabled a number of amendments which are intended to give certainty to the role of the Houses of the Oireachtas in this area and to give them a say in changes that might be required. When orders are made to give effect to these changes, they should...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 9: In page 6, subsection (2)(a), line 42, to delete "requested" and substitute "not objected to". This amendment in the name of Deputy Quinn seeks to give more certainty to the role of both IBEC and ICTU so that they can object to the three-year duration and that approval from them would be sought by the Minister before he or she would make changes. Deputy Quinn seeks a...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 10: In page 7, before section 4 but in Part 2, to insert the following new section: "4.—(1) For the purpose of this Act, "collective redundancies" means dismissals which are effected for a reason specified in subsection (2) (other than a reason related to the individual employees dismissed) where in any period of 30 consecutive days the number of such dismissals is—...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 14: In page 7, subsection (1), line 24, after "Panel" to insert the following: "which shall be independent in the operation of its functions and which shall have an independent secretariat". This amendment was tabled for the purpose of having the redundancy panel established on an independent basis similar to the Labour Inspectorate. Perhaps the amendment is unnecessary,...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 15: In page 7, subsection (4)(a), line 42, to delete ", not exceeding 3 years,". This amendment proposes not to apply a limit of three years because I do not see why a person's term of office should be limited to three years. In fact, it should not be limited at all and the Minister should appoint the person for a fixed term of his or her choosing. Will the Minister of...

Protection of Employment (Exceptional Collective Redundancies and Related Matters) Bill 2007 [Seanad]: Committee and Remaining Stages (26 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: I move amendment No. 16: In page 9, lines 4 to 15, to delete subsection (1) and substitute the following: "6.—(1) A proposal to create collective redundancies may be referred to the Redundancy Panel— (a) by employee representatives acting with the approval of the majority of those whom they represent who are affected by the redundancy proposal at any time during the period of 30 days, or...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (25 Apr 2007)

Phil Hogan: Question 45: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his Department's review of the disability allowance scheme has been completed; if so, the findings of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15315/07]