Results 1,341-1,360 of 34,618 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Seanad: Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (12 Jul 2021)

Seán Fleming: I hope somebody will be able to get them. I knew I brought them over. I am sorry about that. I appreciate the Senator's intervention. It is important that people have a copy of the script. Qualifying businesses will be able to make a claim for a payment calculated on the basis of three weeks at 10% of the first €20,000 weekly turnover, and 5% thereafter, based on average turnover...

Seanad: Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (12 Jul 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Senators who made a contribution today and I will respond as best I can. There will be an opportunity to go into detail on the Bill on a section by section basis when it is examined on Committee Stage tomorrow morning. The Bill gives effect to some of the decisions announced on 1 June as part of the Government's economic plan, which sets out a new phase of supports for this next...

Consumer Protection (Regulation of Retail Credit and Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2021: Second Stage (8 Jul 2021)

Seán Fleming: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." This Bill will implement the key recommendation in the November 2018 review of personal contract plans, authored by Mr. Michael Tutty, which was to extend the relevant provisions of the Central Bank's consumer protection code to all the providers of hire purchase and personal contract plan agreements to consumers. Personal contract plans,...

Future of Banking in Ireland: Statements (1 Jul 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputies for sharing their views. There were 16 or 17 speakers, which indicates the significance that Members attach to this issue. Sessions such as this show the range and volume of issues that require consideration when there is an attempt to dissect a system that touches on so many elements of our daily lives. It is also a very good reminder of the pressure that banking is...

Future of Banking in Ireland: Statements (1 Jul 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to discuss the future of banking services for the public. I thank the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, for sharing time with me for this important debate. The Minister has set the scene for current developments in the banking sector, whether legislative, EU-driven or resulting from market announcements. All of these matters frame the...

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Second Stage (1 Jul 2021)

Seán Fleming: I am pleased to support the Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021, which will give effect to some of the decisions announced as part of the Government's economic recovery plan. This legislation will help to support our citizens and businesses during the next stage of our country's recovery. Following public health advice and the risk posed by the Delta variant of...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (29 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue in the House because it is one that affects a number of people who are involved in home tuition. It is probably a subtle issue that many people would not have been aware of and I can understand that it is a bit confusing. Nevertheless, there are clear procedures and rules in place but I understand people will find them a little bit more complicated...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Employment Rights (29 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I appreciate the Deputy's point of view on this. People are being paid by the Department and they feel that as such that they are employees of it. I would highlight that the parents come into this. They are the people who bring home tutors into their homes so that they can provide those tuition services to children in the household. The parents have a pivotal role and it is important that...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (29 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter as it allows me to provide an update to the House on behalf of the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, who is unavailable, on the current position in relation to the provision of interim and permanent accommodation for Firhouse Educate Together Secondary School, ETSS, The school will have approximately 1,000 pupils, illustrating the very strong...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: School Accommodation (29 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy who makes an important point with regard to communication between the two schools. Every school is independent and has its own structure and this coming together, albeit temporary in nature, may cause some difficulties. It is important that there is proper communication between the two schools. I will raise this with the Minister directly tomorrow morning. The...

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I want to know why Sinn Féin Members have left the building rather than come in and carry out their democratic duty in the national Parliament on a matter as serious as this.

Offences against the State (Amendment) Act 1998: Motion (Resumed) (23 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: They have left the building. This must be highlighted. They have abandoned the national Parliament in favour of their own political agenda. This must be highlighted.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I see three ways whereby credit unions can assist in providing funding for house building or for mortgages for people to purchases houses. One way is through the SPV we have discussed, which is a complicated exercise. The loan ultimately comes from the SPV in which the credit union has an investment, rather than coming through the credit union's own front door. I would be much happier to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. We are aware of the important role played by credit unions throughout society. It is one of the most trusted brands by the people when it comes to dealing with their financial affairs. A number of commitments are set out in the programme for Government, including a review of the policy framework in which credit unions operate. As part of the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for pursuing the issue on behalf of credit unions. She also mentioned the credit union in her own home town. It is important to note that 51 credit unions, representing some 50% of the sector in financial terms, currently have approval to provide current accounts and debit cards. This is the way forward. They must be able to meet the modern day requirements. I...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I agree wholeheartedly with the Deputy's comments on the strength of the credit union movement in the State. They are definitely held in very high esteem. She referred to levies earlier. Last year the Minister signed an order that dramatically reduced the levies payable by credit unions from this year onwards. It was one of the biggest single reductions they have ever achieved. We have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy for his question and, in answering it, I will refer to the sector's involvement in social housing projects. Following a review of the investment framework for credit unions in 2017, the Central Bank introduced amending investment and liquidity regulations for credit unions. Since 1 March 2018, credit unions have been permitted to invest in regulated investment vehicles...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Credit Unions (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: I thank the Deputy. I mentioned already that there is what is called headroom of up to €700 million that the credit union movement can invest in these housing projects. It is a question of them agreeing the structure of the special purpose vehicle if they choose to go down that route and getting clearance from the Central Bank of Ireland when there is a detailed proposal. Today I...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: 600. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 1946 of 6 September 20219, when the internal working group to consider a long-term strategy for unsold affordable dwellings will report and an update will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31092/21]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Departmental Schemes (15 Jun 2021)

Seán Fleming: 603. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if there are plans to improve the MICA redress scheme in cases in which a person with a large mortgage and whose home is damaged and uninsurable deems the scheme insufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31245/21]