Results 17,441-17,460 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin

Capital Expenditure Programme (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I agree entirely with the Deputy. One of the areas I discussed with the vice president of the European Investment Bank, who has the wonderful name of Plutarchos Sakellaris, was that of wind energy and other alternative energy sources. It has already invested in infrastructure and also wants to invest directly in wind farms, which was one of the matters we discussed this afternoon. On...

Constitutional Amendments (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I understand that this question will be dealt with by the Taoiseach next week. There was a technical difficulty in transferring the question from my Department to the Department of the Taoiseach. I had understood it would not appear on the Order Paper today.

Constitutional Amendments (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I would be very happy to answer any questions on the constitutional convention. The Taoiseach will be setting out the position regarding the convention when he answers the question next week.

Public Sector Remuneration (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 30 and 39 together. In April 2009, the then Minister for Finance requested the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector to undertake a review of top-level public service pay, to take account of the changed budgetary and economic circumstances and developments in the private sector pay environment and by reference to pay rates for similar...

Public Sector Remuneration (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The more appropriate vehicle is financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation which deals with judges in the same manner as every other public servant. For correctness, I am happier that it be done on that basis rather than as part of unique legislation. It will be part of general FEMPI legislation. I am taking the opportunity to also statutorily reduce the pay of...

Exchequer Savings (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy will be aware that we have had to significantly scale back and reprioritise public expenditure in order to meet the pressing need to restore our finances to a sustainable path. As part of this, we undertook a major review of our capital programme. We have had to focus on what we must do rather than what we would wish to do. This has involved looking at projects in which we have...

Exchequer Savings (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I do not agree with the Deputy that because we cannot afford it now it will never be built. We have often been criticised in the past for not taking a long-term view of things. By the time the M50 was built, it was too small. While I am critical of the previous Government it did engage in some strategic thinking. The motorway system was a good investment. We need to complete parts of it....

Exchequer Savings (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The Deputy may be correct. A number of Fine Gael councillors from the area might agree with him.

Written Answers — Performance Management Systems: Performance Management Systems (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: My Department carried out an extensive review of the effectiveness of the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) during 2010 and 2011 and I am fully aware that there are serious deficiencies in how the system is being implemented in the Civil Service. My Department has developed a comprehensive approach to the reform of PMDS and is working closely with Civil Service management...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 31 together. The Medium-Term Fiscal Statement published by the Government on 4 November detailed the budgetary parameters for the next four years including the revised current and capital envelopes. The Medium-Term Fiscal Statement also set out and discussed the economic and fiscal projections for the period ahead that are consistent with those...

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: In the first instance, it is part of the day to day function of Ministers and Senior Management of all Departments within their budgetary allocation to assess, budget and plan for current and ongoing staffing requirements including the identifying of key posts, service levels and the deployment of internal staff resources. This process is informed by a wide range of factors relevant to a...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy's Question, I have been made aware that 2 former Chairmen of the Revenue Commissioners are in receipt of public sector pensions and hold a position in public body or State agency. One of these is Commissioner of Valuation in the Valuation Office and he undertakes this position on a pro-bono basis. The other Commissioner is currently the Non- Executive Chairman of the...

Written Answers — Croke Park Agreement: Croke Park Agreement (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Paragraph 1.16 of the Public Service, or Croke Park, Agreement provides for an annual review of the sustainable savings generated from the implementation of the Agreement and of the agreements in each sector. As the Deputy will recall, the Implementation Body for the Agreement conducted the first such review last May. The Body's Report which was published last June reported that sustainable...

Written Answers — Capital Investment Programme: Capital Investment Programme (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: As this document is part of the budgetary process there was no requirement to carry out a regulatory impact assessment on the infrastructure and capital investment plan 2012 to 2016.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: This Government has shown its determination to firmly address the serious long-term Exchequer affordability concerns which exist in relation to public service pensions. The Government has started the reform process. I have recently announced significant changes to the departure terms for new Secretaries General and other senior appointments made by TLAC. I also refer the Deputy to the Public...

Written Answers — Job Losses: Job Losses (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 27 together. The existing licence to operate the National Lottery is due to expire shortly and my Department has been actively examining how best to maximise the return on the extension of the licence for the benefit of the people. As an interim arrangement, the Government has decided to extend the current licence to mid-2013 in order to allow time for...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: I have no such plans.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: The payment of a ministerial pension to former members of the Oireachtas who are employed by an EU institution or the State is in accordance with the rules of the relevant pension scheme. A number of reforms have been introduced in relation to Public Service pension entitlements. The Deputy will be aware that under the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: My Department does not have any direct responsibility in relation to the Referendum Commission, other than to sponsor the budgetary requirement. All financial commitments are authorised by the Commission and discharged by the Office of the Ombudsman. I am advised by the Office of the Ombudsman that the budget allocated to the Referendum Commission in respect of the thirtieth amendment was...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (17 Nov 2011)

Brendan Howlin: Twenty Secretaries General or equivalent for the purpose of 'TLAC terms' are entitled to these terms on foot of Government decisions at the time of their appointment. It is a matter for Government to decide which of the options, i.e. assignment to an alternative post or early retirement, will apply to any individual Secretary General on completion of his/her contract. The Deputy will be...