Results 18,541-18,560 of 29,533 for speaker:Brendan Howlin
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: In response to the Deputy and others who are genuinely concerned about an important issue, the Government has authorised the publication of a highly detailed report and the first thing all Members should do is to read a nuanced and balanced report.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: That will be the basis on which discussions will take place with the social partners. I have no doubt that the trade union and employer sides will have strong views on this matter that may go beyond the scope of the report. The Minister will have his own views and all this eventually will revert in the short term to the Government and there will be a whole of Government decision, which, if...
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: However, neither Members nor the public should make assumptions that any decisions have yet been made on this matter.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: The answer is "No".
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: Yes. The programme for Government includes a proposal to restore the scope and depth of the Freedom of Information Act and it will be brought before the House as soon as possible.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: I join the Deputy in welcoming the report of the special rapporteur on children, Mr. Geoffrey Shannon. The Deputy and I had much interaction with Mr. Shannon and he certainly is an authority on this issue. Unfortunately, this report yet again makes for stark reading and demonstrates the depth of the problems that still face the child protection area. It was for this reason the present...
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: All the legislative procedures have been followed through and the Government order to formally establish it will take effect on 3 June.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: As it distresses me to see the Deputy alarmed, I will try to calm him. There are two different sets of proposals. Whistleblowers' legislation does not require any constitutional amendment and is being advanced. As for the Taoiseach's reference to a referendum, it refers to a different proposal that sometimes is referred to as the undoing of the Howlin judgment, if I may be so bold as to...
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: That will be done.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: They are two entirely separate proposals and the referendum will not impede the progress or the early enactment of the whistleblowers' legislation.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: I believe the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government answered that question yesterday. There is a commitment in the EU-IMF programme of support and in the programme for Government in respect of water charges. As for any other matter, no decision of Government has been made and the Deputy can be informed as soon as such a decision is made.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: I agree with the Deputy. This is legislation and it is the Government's intention to have it before the House this year.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: No debate is required as this is a matter for the IMF. The Minister for Finance indicated that he has a very close working relationship with the Minister, Madame Lagarde, who has a detailed knowledge of the Irish situation and the Irish problems. Both the Minister for Finance and the Taoiseach indicated that she would be an excellent candidate for the position.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: No.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: I understand that the Bill has passed Second Stage and is awaiting Committee Stage. It is the intention to proceed to Committee Stage.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: I believe it would be preferable to have a set of proposals before the House which it can deal with in detail rather than having an abstract debate about what might be. I know some Members would prefer that but if the Deputy and his party wish to have a debate I am sure that is a matter his party's Whip can raise.
- Order of Business (26 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: I refer to residual commitments that were to have been included in last year's Finance Bill regarding the enactment of the civil partnership legislation and its implications for finance. It was debated whether those provisions should be included in the Finance (No. 2) Bill. It was determined by the Government that the Finance (No. 2) Bill should deal exclusively with the jobs initiative...
- Official Engagements (24 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: Deputy Higgins used to have a sense of joy.
- Official Engagements (24 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: It is true.
- Leaders' Questions (18 May 2011)
Brendan Howlin: Was it not clear enough for the Deputy?