Results 361-380 of 11,979 for speaker:Billy Kelleher

Schools Building Projects. (5 Mar 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Deputy will appreciate that the progression of all large-scale building projects from initial design through to construction stage is considered on an ongoing basis in the context of the national development plan and the Department's multi-annual school building and modernisation programme. Progress to construction on the proposed project for Kilfinane national school will likewise be...

Schools Building Projects. (5 Mar 2008)

Billy Kelleher: In the context of the overall investment envelope for schools building projects, the Department is committed to providing modern facilities for the pupils of Kilfinane national school.

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (5 Mar 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Payment of statutory redundancy is, in the first instance, a matter for the employer. There is no record in my Department of an application for statutory redundancy on behalf of the person to whom the Deputy has referred. If the Deputy requires further information on the Redundancy Payments Scheme, he may contact my Department at 016313051.

Written Answers — Health and Safety Issues: Health and Safety Issues (5 Mar 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I am responsible under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, for workplace health and safety policy. The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for the administration and enforcement of occupational health and safety legislation which is concerned with workplace health and safety. The Deputy's question raises a wider public health matter, in which my colleague the Minister...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (11 Mar 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I assume that the Deputy may be referring to the outcome of a recent international forum against human trafficking, which was organised by UN.GIFT — a coalition of six intergovernmental agencies. The forum was convened under the title, Vienna Forum against Human Trafficking, in which the ILO convened dedicated sessions on supply chain management, the demand for forced labour and sexual...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (11 Mar 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Both the Laval and Viking cases referred to by the Deputy were the subject of European Court of Justice judgements that issued in December 2007. In its judgements, the European Court of Justice found that the right to take collective action and to strike is a fundamental right that forms an integral part of the general principles of Community law. The right can be invoked even where another...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (11 Mar 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The provisions regarding statutory redundancy payments in circumstances arising from a change in the ownership of a business are as follows: Where there is a change in the ownership but the employee continues to work for the new owner with no break in employment, the employee is not entitled to redundancy payment at the time of the change of ownership but his continuity of employment is...

Written Answers — Taxi Regulations: Taxi Regulations (2 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: For trade disputes, taxi drivers, who meet the definition of "worker" under section 23(1) of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990, have the same access to the Rights Commissioner Service, the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court as other workers. A trade dispute means any dispute or difference between employers and workers or between workers and workers connected with the employment...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (3 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I have noted the decision reached in the High Court on 7 February to quash the Employment Regulation Order, relating to minimum remuneration of workers, made by the Labour Court on foot of proposals from the Hotel Joint Labour Committee on 5 November 2007, and to remit the matter back to the Joint Labour Committee. The implications of the issues raised during the course of the action...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (3 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Section 33 of the Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2004 provides that the Labour Court may at any time, on the application of any person, give its decision on any question as to the interpretation of a registered employment agreement or its application to a particular person. Therefore, it is open to any person to clarify the applicability of these Agreements. The Deputy may be interested to...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (3 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Administrative issues in relation to sick leave schemes and arrangements, including practice and procedures regarding the requirement for a medical certificate, are matters for consideration and agreement between employers and employees. The question of a review of legislation does not arise in this context as sick leave schemes and arrangements are not the subject of employment rights...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (3 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Employment Appeals Tribunal is an independent body under the aegis of the Department. As an independent body, I have no role in relation to the day-to-day operation of the Tribunal. I have however, made enquiries in the matter, and I understand that this case was heard over a four day period in January 2008. The members of the Tribunal who heard the case have been considering the oral...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Regulations: Health and Safety Regulations (9 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Regulations have been in place in Ireland since 1972 regarding the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos fibres while at work. The current Regulations are the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 386 of 2006). These Regulations reflect the rules in the EU Directives governing asbestos in the workplace, the most...

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (10 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: The Employment Law Compliance Bill is designed to secure better compliance with employment legislation in accordance with commitments in "Towards 2016", the national Social Partnership Agreement. Through that social partnership process, employer and employee representatives have been fully apprised at all stages of the issues to be legislated for and the likely impacts of the new...

Job Losses. (17 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I propose to take all the questions together. I fully share the Deputies' concern regarding the announcement by the company in question that it is facing liquidation and the impact of that decision on its employees. The company announced the appointment of liquidators in a press statement on Monday, 12 April. I understand that the liquidators are carrying out an initial assessment and will...

Job Losses. (17 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I am aware of the importance of the company in providing employment for many years. Iralco was a strong employer in the area. We acknowledge that the loss of 420 jobs in an area such as Collinstown in Westmeath has an immediate impact on the community and environment with the embryonic and ancillary spin-offs to other job creation, investment in shops and hurling teams. It has a...

Job Losses. (17 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Contracts and orders were placed by Volkswagen, Volvo and Bentley. Unfortunately, the company has been sustaining losses for a number of years. It tried to put together a business plan. The IDA has been in discussion with the company for some time to see whether it could assist in industrial relations, a business plan and support aids. I saw the news and I acknowledge it has a harrowing...

Job Losses. (17 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: Deputies have been in contact with the office and others have used the Private Notice Question to highlight this very serious issue in the midlands. I agree with Deputy Bannon that this is a very emotive issue which has an immediate impact on families and people working in Iralco. The Government is trying to do everything possible. The IDA is there at present, is in discussions and is to...

Job Losses. (17 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: It is important that we——

Job Losses. (17 Apr 2008)

Billy Kelleher: I am trying to make the point that it is important that we do not talk down the whole area because we have a difficulty with this company. There is investment in Longford-Westmeath. The IDA is marketing the midlands area for the high and innovative-type skills which I outlined earlier. It is investing in infrastructure as well.