Results 18,141-18,160 of 26,825 for speaker:John McGuinness

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

John McGuinness: In regard to the accounts, we might ask the HSE for a note on the procedures followed in respect of the Haddington Road agreement and the appointment of people in the context of a lower grade covering for a higher grade, the cost of that and the procedures that have been put in place in regard to how those posts are filled. Who verifies that the HSE is complying with the guidelines set out...

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

John McGuinness: No, that report was promised for the end of May or the beginning of June.

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

John McGuinness: The clerk to the committee was in regular contact with the HSE to determine when the report would be provided but he was not given a clear indication on when it would be published. It is news to me that it will be published at 12.30 p.m. today. The agreement was that the report would be provided to the committee. It is not the first time that the HSE has published information while the...

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

John McGuinness: We will check that.

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

John McGuinness: We were advised that it was finalised and given to Mr. O'Brien, who told us last week that, due to his workload, he did not sufficient time to study the report but that he would do so and then release it to us early this week. We will check with the HSE as the meeting proceeds. We will proceed to No. 5. Members agreed the work programme last week. The Department of the Environment,...

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

John McGuinness: Is that agreed? Agreed. Depending on the nature of the report, we might change the date because we need to see the report in order to respond accordingly. Next week's meeting with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will deal with chapter 4 - Vote accounting, chapter 10 - central government funding of local authorities, chapter 11 - costs of land remediation...

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.