Results 14,821-14,840 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I apologise.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I was in Brussels last week.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is our intention.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is about licensing. We have to tender for a licence.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: It is our firm intention.

National Lottery Bill 2012: Order for Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

National Lottery Bill 2012: Second Stage (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The National Lottery Bill is intended to replace the National Lottery Act 1986. The Bill has a number of purposes, in particular, the following: to continue to provide a legislative framework for the operation of a national lottery in Ireland; to continue to safeguard the integrity of the national lottery, for example, through the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together. The information requested by the Deputy relating to the requirements applying to senior civil servants taking up employment outside of the Civil Service in the circumstances set out in the Deputy’s question, can be found in section 20 the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour which is available at the Standards in Public...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Proposed Legislation (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: My officials are currently liaising with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC) on the text of the Bill to amend the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004. Subject to the agreement of Government, it is expected that the Bill will be published during the Spring Session.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Contracts (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Fixed-price lump-sum public works contracts were developed during the last decade. The standardised contracts were introduced as a significant reform measure in the construction area in 2007 on foot of a Government decision in 2004 to deal with significant cost overruns on public works projects. The main objectives of this reform initiative are cost certainty at tender stage; better value...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: EU-IMF Programme of Support (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy will be aware Ireland is in the final year of the EU-IMF Programme of Financial Support. The Programme is subject to a quarterly review mission with the three external partners, the EU, the ECB and the IMF (the Troika). It is at these review missions that discussions take place with regard to programme commitments which translate into the Programme documents which are updated...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Land Transfers (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Section 28 (2) of the State Property Act 1954, provides that the Minister for Finance assumes responsibility for all personal property and land vested in or held in trust for a body corporate (other than personal property or land held by such body in trust for another person) immediately prior to its dissolution. Upon the dissolution of the body corporate, such property becomes State...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan Update (29 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question regarding progress made on Bodies listed in Appendix IIa of the Public Service Reform Plan within my Department that were rationalised, amalgamated or abolished in 2012 I can confirm that the Commission for Public Service Appointments merged with the Ombudsman’s Office as a rationalisation measure. I am glad to say that this merger has been...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Ministerial Meetings (24 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy’s question I can confirm that neither I nor any official from my Department met any representatives of the tobacco industry in the last six months.

Other Questions: Public Sector Staff Grades Review (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Under the public service reform plan, my Department is reviewing the grading structure of the Civil Service. The review will examine the number and distribution of management grades across the Civil Service, the percentage of the pay bill accounted for by such grades and, taking account of organisational needs and best practice, assess the scope to reduce the number of Civil Service...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Expenditure (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: For each of the nine quarters since the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support commenced in late 2010, the Government has successfully met all of the targets. In the expenditure area, discussions with Troika officials have been proceeding satisfactorily with a focus upon the continued attainment of spending targets and the steps necessary to address particular areas of pressure. It may be...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Legislation (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I presume the Deputy’s question relates to the position pertaining under Freedom of Information legislation. Section 27 of the Freedom of Information Act sets out categories of information which are classed as commercially sensitive and are on that basis exempt from release under the Act. The basis to commercial sensitivity includes trade secrets, financial, commercial, scientific,...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 24 together. Deputies will be aware that the Implementation Body is charged with driving the implementation of the Agreement across the public service. It is supported in its work by implementation groups established in each sector. Under the terms of the Agreement, sectorial managements submit Action Plans to the Body which set out the range of...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Lottery (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: As the Deputy is aware, the Minister announced in April 2012 that there will be a competition for the next National Lottery licence. It is envisaged that the competition will take place later this year. It is the Minister's intention to safeguard the rates of commission paid to retailers under the terms of the next licence. I acknowledge the concerns of retailers and the importance to...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Review (23 Jan 2013)

Brendan Howlin: Ireland is committed to reducing its general government deficit to less than 3% by 2015. To meet this commitment the Medium Term Fiscal Statement indicated that, in addition to the overall consolidation of €3.5 billion required for 2013, an additional €3.1 billion in savings and revenue raising measures must be identified for 2014 and €2 billion in 2015. If the public...