Results 14,661-14,680 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin
- Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Pension Provisions (19 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: Actions undertaken in Ireland must be in accordance with constitutional/legislative requirements in this jurisdiction where a pension is generally taken to be deferred income and covered by the constitutional protections that apply to property. Against this background, proportionate reductions to existing public service pensions have been given effect through legislation passed by the Houses...
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: I recall listening to the Deputy on a previous occasion when he spoke on a Friday sitting. I think he had to get a train to Dublin afterwards.
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: The Deputy is making a point that would be more properly discussed by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges. If the Deputy has any proposals to improve the functioning of the House, I am sure his Whip will be able to bring them forward.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: In regard to the property tax, I have already pointed out that in order to sustain the very services for which Deputy Mattie McGrath argues, such as health, social welfare and education, we need a broad tax base to pay for them.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: The Deputy is big on demands for spending but he never supports mechanisms for raising revenue.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: Broadening the tax base as envisaged with the property tax will provide a significant income stream for the public coffers. It will sustain local government and allow it to thrive into the future. The details of exemptions or amendments will be thrashed out on the floor of this House in the coming days and weeks.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: We cannot undo it. One cannot get back one's virginity.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: I am disappointed that the Deputy is disappointed. I genuinely accept his Pauline conversion and that he has renounced the sins of the past.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: I genuinely accept that he wants to put his votes to sustain the last, disastrous Government behind him in order to make amends. That is an honourable and good position.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: In regard to his specific questions, there will be a full debate on the property tax legislation.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: If the Deputy does not mind, I would like to see the amendments before I agree to accept them. The Minister for Finance will be taking the Bill. Let us look at the amendments he is tabling and the amendments Deputy Mattie McGrath tables. I am sure we will have a good debate. That is how the system works. The position on what the Deputy characterises as the snitch clause is that as part...
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: Is that not a reasonable position? The seller will supply information on what he or she has declared for local property tax purposes. If it is different from the asking price, that will be known. That is an open, transparent and reasonable position but I am sure it can be debated next week with the Minister for Finance.
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: It is proposed to take No. 11a, motion re promissory notes arrangement (resumed); and No. 27, Water Services Bill 2013 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 5.45 p.m. tonight and shall adjourn on the conclusion of Oral Questions, and the sitting shall be suspended on the conclusion of No. 11a...
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: I listened to Deputy Higgins for many years on the administrative council of the Labour Party.
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: It is tragic that he could not hold together a party of two.
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: From the Government's perspective, the more debate we have on the successful renegotiation of the promissory note, the better. I am happy to adjourn the debate at 2.30 p.m. if Deputies still wish to speak at that stage.
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: Whenever we get time.
- Order of Business (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: I withdraw the guillotine if Deputies wish to speak. I did not get an opportunity to speak, although I hoped to wrap up the debate today. I hope I will get an opportunity to speak. This is something that every Deputy should be required to consider, speak about and, ultimately, vote on because the people of Ireland will want to know where they stand on this issue.
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: This is an issue of unimaginable pain for the Halappanavar family, particularly for Praveen. It is not an issue that I intend to make a political dispute about in the House. We need to get the full facts into the public domain as soon as the report is received by the Minister for Health. I have indicated to Deputy McDonald that the Minister for Health has not got a copy of the draft report...
- Leaders' Questions (14 Feb 2013)
Brendan Howlin: Once the report is finalised, in advance of any publication it should not be in the public domain in draft form or any form and, with all due respect, it should not be commented on by anyone until we see the complete report. Too often in the past in the case of many issues people have come to conclusions. Let us give space and time to the expert panel to set down all the facts after due...