Results 19,741-19,760 of 26,430 for speaker:David Cullinane

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Technological Universities (2 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: 104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the names of the stakeholders whom a person (details supplied) identified and met as part of the announcement in November 2014 of a new process of engagement and consultation regarding the technological university for the south east project, including, but not limited to, the names of the local authorities, chamber of commerce employees,...

Roads Funding: Motion [Private Members] (1 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: Deputy Tóibín will speak first.

Roads Funding: Motion [Private Members] (1 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: I commend the Rural Independent Group on tabling the motion. I agree with an Teachta Tóibín that the motion could have been stronger in its intent and in what it calls on the Government to do, but it does afford us an opportunity to speak again on the issue of rural Ireland and the importance of protecting rural communities, especially in the context of infrastructural development...

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: The terms of reference for that exercise are very clear and have nothing to do with any criminal-----

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: Value for money.

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: It is clear rom the statement by the Minister for Finance today and also comments from Fianna Fáil that we are being primed for a row-back on the commission of investigation into NAMA and Project Eagle. I am a member of the Committee of Public Accounts which is examining the Comptroller and Auditor General's report into the sale of Project Eagle. That was a value for money report. Our...

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: I am making a statement of fact.

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

David Cullinane: I note the advice. With respect, I am making a statement of fact. We had a situation where a member of the Northern Ireland Advisory Committee of NAMA met with senior members of the DUP when he was due to be in receipt of a fixer's fee and a success fee, long before any reverse inquiry was made to NAMA by PIMCO. The origins of this deal were very clear. This is a corrupted process....

Bus Éireann: Motion [Private Members] (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: The Minister made an extraordinary remark to the effect that rural Ireland is a top priority for this Government. It bowled me over and I am sure it will bowl over many people in rural Ireland. It seems the Minister has gone full circle back to his roots as a cheerleader for Fine Gael and its failed policies. With all seriousness, the Minister cannot come into this House and say that this...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: Go raibh maith agat a Chathaoirleach. It is very strange for me to be on this side of the room but new politics is throwing up new situations. I am pleased to be here and happy that the joint committee is examining this issue. The exploitation of people on low hour contracts, especially in the retail sector but also across many other sectors is an important issue. This Bill will allow...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: The Bill sets out in section 3 how this would work in practice. As Deputy Quinlivan said, and as I hope all members will agree, the situation at the moment is entirely unreasonable. There are many workers in this State who are working 30 or 40 hours a week for some companies, often for five years, ten years or more, yet their contracts are for ten or 15 hours a week. The Bill essentially...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: This would apply to people who are on low hour contracts. In many companies we already have situations where rosters of workers' hours are displayed. We have it in many different workplaces. One of the concerns that has been raised was the impact that this would have on small employers, that if one employs fewer than five people, it might be difficult. I do not accept that but that was...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: We should be aware of the distinction. There are some contracts and some workers who know what their hours are on a weekly basis. They are on fixed hours. They know that they start at 8.30 a.m. and that they finish at 5.30 p.m., Monday to Friday. In those circumstances there is no need to display their hours. In situations where a worker does not know his or her hours from week to week,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: I understand the employer organisations are in Leinster House today and I am sure, therefore, that we will hear from them. I have not seen their opening statements on what they have to say about the Bill, but I have heard from them in the past when it was discussed on Second Stage. There is an attempt to over-complicate what is a very simple Bill, for which there are reasons from their...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: There is none because there is no right to request to be placed on a banded hours contract. They are not recognised in law. What we have is a voluntary arrangement with some employers - I have given some examples - negotiated with the trade unions. In the past they operated low-hour contracts under which some of their employees were to work ten or 15 hours contracts, but they ended up...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: Yes, Mandate is. They will have a lot of the data needed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: I do. I am not in favour of any legislation which places a difficulty on employers, especially small employers. We were very conscious when drafting this Bill that it seeks to achieve a balance. At the moment there is no balance, because workers do not have the right to have a contract reflective of their hours. Only in circumstances where an employer refuses to grant permission, at the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: There are examples in other pieces of legislation where there are opt-outs for companies which employ fewer than five people. That is something this committee could consider. One is talking about whether this puts any additional burden on businesses or will cause any difficulties for them. I accept the Deputy's line of questioning because I acknowledge that any legislation that passes...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: This arose on Second Stage. I am not sure of any season that lasts six months. The reason that we picked six months is that it does take into account seasonal work. For example, a Christmas period would normally be a six to eight week period. I know that some people have said that six months is too short. If that is the case, they can put forward amendments to extend the time period....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Banded Hours Contract Bill 2016 [Private Members]: Discussion (31 Jan 2017)

David Cullinane: I thank Teachta Neville. I will deal with the final point first, only the employee can make a request, so that in circumstances where a worker enjoys a flexible contract or is quite happy with their arrangement, there is no change in circumstances. It is only in situations where communication breaks down between the employee and the employer that a request can be made by the employee. The...