Results 41-60 of 5,670 for speaker:Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Written Answers — Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth: International Protection (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: 446. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown, in tabular form, of how many of the 11,000 commercially owned contingency accommodation units targeted by 2028 under the ‘Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for International Protection Applicants’ are estimated to be delivered through the acquisition of new IPAS centres;...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I fully support Deputy Sherlock's amendment. In the past, predecessors of the Pensions Board would have had representatives of workers, and that is vitally important. It is not exactly a new departure. Deputy Sherlock has identified existing legislation where it occurs and I think several pieces of legislation specify that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions would be an appropriate...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We are in danger of overly complicating matters. To some extent, this is a break with previous practice. In the Minister's opinion, board members must have knowledge and experience of matters relating to the interests of employees. That could be an employment lawyer who has occasionally represented workers but spent most of their life representing employers. That is a legitimate pursuit,...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I support both amendments but I am primarily speaking to Deputy Ó Cathasaigh's amendment. It is very rational and logical. While I disagree with a fundamental element of who is responsible for the investment, auto-enrolment is crucial in the long term. We need to consider the types of investment that are made, both for those beneficiaries in the industry but also the wider social...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: If the amendment is being withdrawn, it may be immaterial for now but Deputy Sherlock made a good point. It is important that there are not people who lose out in terms of the employer contribution. The Minister is saying that where it is already through payroll deduction, they will get the benefit of the employer contributions. That is what I understood.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: Yes, but my understanding of what the Minister is saying, in the minority of cases where a PRSA comes through payroll, that they cannot have AE.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is what is at issue here.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: There is still an issue there that needs to be considered further. The amendment will be withdrawn and we can talk about it on Report Stage.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 6: In page 43, line 17, to delete “6 months” and substitute “1 day”. This is not our primary objection to the legislation. That primarily relates to the manner of investment. However, we are conscious of the cost-of-living crisis. For somebody on a low income, earning €20,000 a year, the deduction is €5.76 a week or...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: That is all right. I can see the arguments. I am very conscious of the cost-of-living crisis that is there at the minute, but I understand the Minister's point. I will press the amendment in any event. I understand the Minister's rationale, but people are under financial pressure.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 7: In page 43, line 19, to delete “6 months” and substitute “1 day”.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 8: In page 43, line 21, to delete “6 months” and substitute “1 day”.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 9: In page 43, line 23, to delete “6 months” and substitute “1 day”.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: I move amendment No. 10: In page 43, line 25, to delete “6 months” and substitute “1 day”.

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: We have a very serious concern about this section and amending it is our primary objective with this legislation. I am disappointed my two amendments have been ruled out of order. I will consider, having spoken to the Chair, whether there is scope to resubmit on Report Stage and I retain that prerogative. Our approach will not come as a surprise to the Minister because we have been...

Select Committee on Social Protection: Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System Bill 2024: Committee Stage (8 May 2024)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire: There are a couple of points. I am talking about section 68, which is titled "Investment Management Providers". Section 68(1) states that "The Authority shall appoint a person or persons to provide investment management services for the purposes of this [Act]." While it does subcontract with private industry, which is no secret, the NTMA has clear desired outcomes in mind. It has clear...