Results 16,061-16,080 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Semi-State Sector Remuneration (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I do not wish to focus on any individual. I wish to speak about the general principle, namely, that we must have moderation at a time of great difficulty for a huge swathe of the population. That applies to all of us. I do not wish to make any comment about Deputy Wallace but all of us must be mindful of how our actions are perceived. I am conscious of that when I make decisions on pay...

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The gross annual salaries applicable to Deputies and Senators were reduced, as were salary rates for public servants, under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009. The gross annual salaries for a Deputy and a Senator amount to €92,672 and €65,621, respectively. When account is taken of the application of the pension related deduction, PRD, the net rates...

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy mentioned rhetoric. The current salary scales for Deputies and Senators are linked to the principal officer grade in the public service and are fair. There is a provision for a waiver. If the Deputy believes that her salary is too high, I will arrange for a waiver form to be submitted to her. It would save the State a certain amount.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: We have.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Yes.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: There are legislative difficulties with isolating any group of people. We could probably reach a collective view in the Houses about volunteering for the cut without people running down to the courts to take a constitutional case on having their group isolated for a pay cut. Populism is a factor, as the Deputy understands, and she would have something to say about any salary scale. For...

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: No. The Judiciary was not isolated. It is very important that the Deputy understand. The same pay cut that applied proportionately to every member of the public service could not be applied to the Judiciary until-----

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: -----we held a referendum to allow for it. The only basis for the referendum's constitutionality was that judges would be treated exactly the same as everyone else. This is an important point. As the Deputy is anxious to give a signal, I will ensure she can give one by waiving her own salary to whatever level she likes. I will arrange for her to have that opportunity.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Not to mention expenses.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I am sure that the Deputy does.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: No, I give the replies.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: People should pay their taxes.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: A number of questions were asked and I hope the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will allow me to answer them. Deputy Clare Daly never ceases to astound me. She has the brass neck to enter the Chamber in the teeth of a storm and when she is claiming expenses hand over fist-----

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: It is almost like accusing the police for the crime. It beggars belief, but nothing surprises me about the Deputy.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: I will answer it directly if the Deputy stops berating.

Oireachtas Members' Salaries (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy is right to be very sensitive on this matter, as she has a brass neck and has been found out. I am reviewing all allowances, including the leader's allowance, because we need solidarity and fairness in these matters. We will table the proposals in the context of the changes to be implemented through the budget. I hope people will apply carefully. Even where allowances exist,...

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Government's budgetary strategy is not one of austerity. On the contrary, we are borrowing significant sums of money to sustain the State and to protect the living standards of its citizens. We have extended the time available to the State to reach its 3% deficit target from that originally agreed with the troika. That means we are still borrowing 3% of GDP and not paying our way even...

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy wills misfortune on us because she thrives in that milieu. I will be clear: the basic economics are simple; we cannot spend more than we take in. We were doing this hand over fist. This year we are borrowing 8.6% of GDP to meet day-to-day expenses. Approximately one quarter goes towards bank debt repayment, but three quarters goes on paying gardaí, nurses and so on. The only...

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: Where would we get it?

Economic Policy (4 Jul 2012)

Brendan Howlin: What are the targets?