Results 17,901-17,920 of 26,579 for speaker:John McGuinness

Public Accounts Committee: 2012 Annual Report and Appropriation Accounts of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Chapter 7 - Management of the Fixed Charge Notice System
Chapter 8 - Management of Outsourced Safety Cameras
Chapter 14 - Cash Balances in the RSA
Vote 31 - Transport, Tourism and Sport (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: I apologise to the witnesses for the delay. We had to attend to other matters. I ask witnesses, those in the Visitors Gallery and committee members to ensure their mobile phones are switched off because they interfere with the sound transmission. Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are directed by it to...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: Are members agreed on plan A, as outlined by Deputy Deasy? If that does not work for any reason, plan B is to submit our case through the parliamentary legal adviser.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: If one reads the letters from the Committee on Procedure and Privileges carefully, they are asking questions of us, including who we want to invite in and who the witnesses are. That would have to be considered before giving compelability because it is making a serious decision. On receipt of our reply, then the in-house senior counsel, which goes half way towards meeting what Deputy Deasy...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: We have to ask first.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: If they agree to it and then-----

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: -----the make-up of it is fine.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: I think that is what we should do and allow the clerk to engage with the parliamentary legal adviser to devise the response so that two things can happen together and we are not wasting time. It is important to do that. Arising from this morning's meeting, we can make contact with the Committee on Procedure and Privileges and do as requested by Deputies Deasy and Dowds and take that common...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: Is that agreed?

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: No. When the decision is made by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges, after its consultation and if it goes that far with senior counsel, we will only then know what it views as our remit because the argument is that we are within the remit. Then there is an argument that we are testing the boundaries here. After that, we will know exactly what needs to be addressed in the context...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: We will do that. No. 3C is documents relating to today's committee meeting, including briefing papers from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the RSA and Mr. John O'Brien. No. 4 is reports, statements and accounts received since the meeting on 12 June 2014. No. 4.1 is the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange. No. 4.2 is the Health Service Executive. I...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: The members can take a view on that if they wish. My explanation for this is that we received the two letters, the legal advisers referred back to us and told us they are more than well equipped to respond to both of the letters and that they have made a decision that the response can be made in-house. What one can draw from that is that they are not conflicted. They are very independent...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: Before inviting other members to speak, I draw attention to the paragraph which states: "The committee's request in the second part seeks legal advice on the topic of PAC's legal remit. It is stated the committee wishes to seek senior counsel advice with the input of the Office of the PLA on this matter. I am of the view that there is merit in seeking senior counsel advice on the issue."...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: Are the minutes of the meeting of 12 June 2014 agreed? Agreed. No. 3 is correspondence received since our meeting of Thursday, 12 June 2014. No. 3A is correspondence from Accounting Offices and-or Ministers. No. 3A.1 is correspondence dated 10 June 2014 from the Secretary General, Department of Education and Skills, in relation to matters arising from our meeting on 15 May 2014, to be...

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: That is the question that was raised last week. The response to the request for senior counsel was that the Office of the Parliamentary Legal Adviser of the Oireachtas can put forward the appropriate replies to both of the letters.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: Yes.

Public Accounts Committee: Business of Committee (19 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: That is the final decision of the Office of the Parliamentary Legal Adviser. Therefore, Ms English or that office will provide the response to both letters. It must be remembered that that office would have played a central role in the drafting of the new inquiries legislation and as such would know it line-by-line. Presumably, bearing that in mind and the role of the Committee of Public...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: First Stage (18 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: I move:That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the more effective recovery of rates and to consolidate existing measures relating to the making and recovering of rates and miscellaneous provisions relating to valuation.All of us in the House know very well the difficulties in which the business sector now finds itself. Having cut back on various costs and...

Local Government (Rates and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014: First Stage (18 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."

Written Answers — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Passport Applications (17 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: 130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a passport has not been issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; if he will expedite an early response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25758/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Charities Regulation (17 Jun 2014)

John McGuinness: 158. To ask the Minister for Finance if the proposed merger of Self Help Africa and Gorta and the new constitution, as agreed at the AGMs, will be approved by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will expedite the matter. [25458/14]