Results 25,541-25,560 of 26,162 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Air Navigation and Transport (Pre-Clearance) Bill provides for the introduction of pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon Airports for US-bound passengers. What is the position on progress and negotiations with the United States? When will the Bill be brought before the Dáil? In order to operate such a scheme, it is vital to have a sustainable transatlantic service. What is...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I tried to raise it twice on the Adjournment last week and wrote to the Taoiseach about it three weeks ago.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I would like the opportunity to raise this matter. Will the Ceann Comhairle allow me to raise it on the Adjournment? It is a vital issue.

Written Answers — Garda Transport: Garda Transport (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 92: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason it took more than a year for Garda cars to be fitted out, as outlined in the Comptroller and Auditor General's recent report; the steps that have been taken to speed up this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32790/08]

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement Policy: Departmental Procurement Policy (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 98: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if it his policy to seek discounts when bulk purchasing with public money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32789/08]

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: From the Seanad (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government is helping the banks. It should seek a return for the taxpayer.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: From the Seanad (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government is providing an insurance scheme on behalf of the taxpayer. It should be making use of the public purse on the basis——

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: From the Seanad (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I welcome this good measure. To follow on Deputy Quinn's point, it is important that, in keeping with the procedure, it will be possible for the Opposition to table amendments to the draft of the scheme. The guarantee offered is effectively like insurance; therefore, the State should be looking for a return. We are providing a facility for the banks and should be looking for a return for...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: From the Seanad (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: We are dealing with the liquidity issue and must also deal with solvency. The banks must not indulge in reckless trading.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: From the Seanad (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The key factor is that the Financial Regulator and the Central Bank have failed. They were like a referee at a match who did not blow the whistle. If one does not blow the whistle, players will commit fouls.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: From the Seanad (2 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The institutions very much look out of control. I hope the Minister will take this on board.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage. (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: In the context of the amendment put forward by the Labour Party, while we need the scheme to come into operation, it is critical that the terms and conditions would be brought before the House as a matter of urgency. Section 6(5) of the Bill gives no indication as to when these will be laid before the House and, furthermore, does not allow the House to debate them. Fine Gael has put down an...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I wish to keep this argument on a practical level because this scheme has to work and failure of this scheme cannot be countenanced. Three elements are necessary for the success of the scheme. It must be transparent, have accountability and the taxpayer must be protected. The Bill as it stands fails on all these three accounts.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister has pre-empted what I was going to say.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: If the public are to trust that this Bill will work, it is incumbent on the Minister to take into account the amendments being tabled by the Opposition. If those amendments have validity, the Government must take them on board. We agree with the main proposals but the devil is in the detail. If this Bill and this scheme are to work, those three elements of transparency, accountability and...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am dealing with terms and conditions which the Leas-Cheann Comhairle spoke about earlier.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I am sticking to the terms and conditions.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: This month an extra 10,000 people are on the live register with unemployment at 6.3%. Many of these people's houses are in negative equity, yet they are watching the banks getting a deal from the Government in which they do not have to worry about repaying their debts. Any loan advanced from the guarantee must be at a premium rate. An oversight board must be put in place as outlined in...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (1 Oct 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: I refer to amendment No. 14 which relates to section 6(4). The guarantee must be at the commercial rate, a point about which I feel very strongly. There must be no cost to the taxpayer. The Taoiseach stated yesterday that any losses incurred by individual banks would be dealt with by way of levies on the banks. Is there legislation to allow this to take place? If not, does the Minister...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Sep 2008)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is that at 10.30 a.m.?