Results 181-200 of 32,527 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Financial Instruments (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: Let me return in a moment to deal with the substantive issue raised by Deputy O’Callaghan but before I do so, I will reply to Deputy Murphy. At a time when we seek to look at how politics can unite people and bring people together, I am reminded again and again that for somebody who claims to be on the left and someone who claims to be part of a movement that is about tolerance and...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Financial Instruments (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: His language consistently looks to demonise those who are acting in good faith. He, in turn, in his own way is a contributor to the decay of standards and how we can engage with each other and debate issues in a way that is respectful. Every time he contributes on such a matter, he does it in a way that seeks to demonise an opponent or deny good faith.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Financial Instruments (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: That is the Deputy's contribution. I am responding back to charges he laid against me that I am compelled to respond back to.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Financial Instruments (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: On the substantive issue that is being raised here today, I reiterate the clear view of the Government on what has happened in Gaza and the Middle East. However, there are a particular number of responsibilities that the Central Bank is obliged to discharge that are rooted not just in national and EU law and it discharges those responsibilities. The Governor of the Central Bank has outlined...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The existing vehicle tax structures in the State have a strong environmental rationale, with the more pollutant, fossil-fuelled cars paying higher rates of tax, between motor tax, benefit in kind, BIK, vehicle registration tax, VRT, and the nitrogen oxide, NOx, charge. In contrast, low-emission cars and electric vehicles, EVs, are subject to lower rates of tax. I know the Deputy will be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Electric Vehicles (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I appreciate the case the Deputy is making for the further support of EVs. It is interesting to see the growth that has taken place and I hope it will continue in the coming years as EV technology improves and as we do a better job of rolling out the charging network needed to facilitate those who use EVs. We have made reasonable progress but it is very obvious that we need to do even more,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: It is vital that we keep the Dáil informed of this and that all TDs be aware of what is taking place. I am aware that employers and workers in Cork will be feeling particularly worried today. It is something that affects everybody but I am conscious that large life science and medicine producers are located in Cork, many of which have been there for decades. Some very important food...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: May he rest in peace. Many members of the GAA family in Kildare will be feeling particularly sad today. I thank the Deputy for mentioning that. Regarding the Deputy's constituency, employers like Intel have made a magnificent contribution to the employment and growth of our economy, but they also make an important contribution to the European economy through the work they do in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Financial Instruments (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 60 and 197 together. Regarding the number and value of bonds sold in Ireland, the Central Bank of Ireland does not regulate the bonds as products and does not collect specific data on the number of bonds sold. The regulatory function of the Central Bank is limited to ensuring that the disclosure document for the offer contains all the necessary...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Financial Instruments (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I absolutely refute the allegations and language used by the Deputies. This Government could not be clearer in our condemnation of the behaviour and loss of life that is taking place in Gaza and the untold suffering those people have endured. We have made that case very prominently within the EU and at a global level. As Minister for Finance, I am obliged to tell the truth about the work...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Policy (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: My officials and I regularly engage with the Central Bank. However, I have not had any engagement recently with the Central Bank on the specific issue the Deputy has raised, which is the issue of tax-based support for housing. The issue in the Irish housing market and so many of the social and economic difficulties that it is now causing are caused by a shortfall in supply. For more...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Policy (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I will be meeting our banks to engage with them on the greater role they can play in regard to housing because we all know how much more we need to do. However, I have to recognise two different points. First, the banks are independent of the Government. Second, they are independently regulated. I will be engaging with them to see what further measures we can put in place that lead to...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Policy (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I absolutely support all of the excellent work that the Minister for housing is doing in looking at what further measures can be put in place to lead to more homes being built. Regarding the Deputy's question, I support looking at ideas that will make more loans and more support available in our economy to lead to more homes being built. However, the Minister for housing and I do not want...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Housing Policy (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I have answered the Deputy's question.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising the significant announcements that were made during the night. The Government is initiating a number of steps, but the Deputy will understand that I need to be honest and clear in setting expectations of what we can do. This is a deeply serious issue. Unfortunately, it is a significant moment in how global trade is conducted and what that can mean for jobs,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I always acknowledge, and will do so again, that it was difficult and there were moments of high anxiety for those who saw the ownership of their loans or the mortgage on their homes or properties switching. I know that the impact on those affected has been difficult. For many, it has resulted in their mortgage payments and their interest rates being high. At the same time, I must be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Treasury Management Agency (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund is a €15 billion fund comprising the discretionary portfolio of €8.4 billion and the directed portfolio of €6.2 billion. It has a double bottom line mandate to invest on a commercial basis in a manner designed to support economic activity and employment in Ireland. According to the most recent NTMA annual report, from inception...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Treasury Management Agency (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for recognising the work the NTMA has done in this and other areas and particularly the work ISIF has done. The Deputy is familiar with that. I have outlined the divestment that has taken place and it is important for me to emphasise to Deputy Connolly that the operational independence of ISIF is very important to this space. It manages €15 billion of our money,...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Treasury Management Agency (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this. While I make the case that the share of the overall portfolio of ISIF's investments is a small one, millions of euro is a lot of money for the Deputy and me. I accept that point. The Deputy raises very important foreign policy and human rights issues. My Department engages with ISIF and the NTMA on these and other matters. The concerns and issues...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Trade Relations (3 Apr 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: Again, that is an important point. Every country is affected in different ways by the changes that have happened. However, there is a particular uniqueness to what it could mean due to the vital arrangements and agreements that are in place to recognise and protect the all-island economy in the context of dealing with Brexit. We understood this was a risk. It is one that has already been...