Results 8,201-8,220 of 9,387 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Deputy Michael McGrath and acknowledge the considerable work he has put into this legislation on which I know he has been working for a long time. As I said to the Chairman beforehand, following pre-legislative scrutiny, the Bill will proceed to Committee Stage. Before Deputy Michael McGrath and committee members start to do a huge amount of work on amendments, we need certainty as...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is there any suggestion that financial institutions will try to sell on mortgages that are in distress to other entities such as vulture funds or is that just a fear that may happen but for which there is no basis?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank the witnesses for coming in and making a presentation to us this morning. The assessment of the Bill I get from the witnesses is that they are supportive of it and think it is a good idea but they have two concerns. One is that if it looks like it will get through the banks may sell on to vulture funds to avoid its consequences, and the second is there may be constitutional issues,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: To achieve one of the objectives set out, I presume the witnesses would need a decision by the Government and legislation introduced by the Oireachtas. Do they envisage NAMA-type legislation, whereby a statutory entity would be set up or perhaps use the insolvency service, and mortgage distressed loans in the financial institutions would be examined and transferred to this statutory body?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is it possible for a not-for-profit regulated entity to go to the financial institutions, in the same way as a vulture fund would, to try to purchase them without any legislative intervention?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Surely from their point of view it is just a question of money. If the witnesses pay more than the vulture fund then-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Hall.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Farrell for attending. Although we are here to discuss Deputy McGrath's Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill, I found Mr. O'Connor's comments on how the existing personal insolvency legislation was operating informative. However, his assessment of creditor engagement was disturbing. Can I take it that he believes the banks are not constructively...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: In the area of personal insolvency arrangements, the ISI is not seeing constructive engagement by the banks with the Act, in particular sections 64 and 98.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Mr. O'Connor is saying that the banks are not communicating with PIPs to let them know what type of deal would be acceptable to the banks and instead seem to be sitting quietly and waiting for PIPs to devise proposals that they then reject. Is that Mr. O'Connor's assessment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: What is Mr. O'Connor's opinion on why that guidance from banks has not been provided?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does it disturb Mr. O'Connor that the banks are not constructively engaging with the issues around PIAs and is it having a detrimental effect on the operation of the Act?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: In many instances, legislation is introduced to deal with a social problem. That was the purpose behind the introduction of the Personal Insolvency Act 2012. In Mr. O'Connor's opinion, do the banks seem to regard that legislation as an inconvenience that they should try to circumvent or do they not recognise the social problem that the Houses are trying to resolve?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: We need to change the law to compel banks to engage with this process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: Deputy McGrath's Bill.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Mortgage Arrears Resolution (Family Home) Bill 2017: Discussion (25 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. O'Connor.

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (24 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 280. To ask the Minister for Health the reason dieticians are not available in the Dublin region to work with children diagnosed with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45054/17]

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: 11. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will publish a new statement of strategy in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44213/17]

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: If the Minister listens carefully to this question and gives a proper answer to it, he will see that it relates to a proposal that could have the effect of reducing his workload. As those of us who cover the justice and equality portfolio and are members of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality are well aware, the breadth and jurisdiction of the Department of Justice and Equality is...

Other Questions: Departmental Strategy Statements (19 Oct 2017)

Jim O'Callaghan: It is welcome that a statement of strategy for the years from 2017 to 2020 will be published later this year. It is worthwhile for the Department of Justice and Equality to take time to consider issues and to assess how it should make progress. For far too long, the Department has operated on the basis of the next crisis on the list, such as an issue pertaining to the Garda...