Results 2,021-2,040 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: Is Deputy Dara Murphy okay with these answers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: That is understood and appreciated.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: It would be hard for the witnesses to answer that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: To clarify, the committee will not be coming to a collective conclusion by way of recommendation on what should be done on the issue.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: Vibes are fine.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: This is a pre-legislative exercise. If we were in the business of dealing with legislation, the Minister would be present. That would happen on Committee Stage, for example, in order to tease out issues. In fairness to Mr. Johnson, he made it clear that the witnesses came to set out their views and position. We do not have a Minister present and we have not called on anybody to give the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: We would need such amendments very quickly because of the timescale involved and the requirement for the Bill to be published. It would be very helpful if the delegates could get them to us within the next day or so because we could take them on board in respect of communications.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: I think I can speak on behalf of the committee in saying I hope it continues to be the case in order that the role of the league is enhanced. I thank the delegates for attending.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion with Irish League of Credit Unions (19 Sep 2012)

Alex White: We will publish the submissions and send the transcript to the Minister. We will also attempt to identify the main issues. These are not specific recommendations because we do not have time to go through the process of hearing from the official side. This has been an extremely useful exercise and I thank the delegates for taking the time to inform us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: This is a public consultation on the draft general scheme of the credit union Bill 2012. In the first section of today's hearing, we are delighted to welcome representatives from the financial professional and accountancy bodies. I welcome Ms Eileen Fitzgerald and Ms Annmarie O'Connor, MABSndl; Ms Eimer O'Rourke, director of retail, and Mr. Felix O'Regan, director of public affairs, Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: Was that view canvassed in the course of the commission's deliberations?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: The legislation will be published and it will come back to the House on Second Stage and then on Committee Stage. Do I take it there is no specific change in that regard other than that MABS is drawing the committee's attention to its concern?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: That is fine. On head 6, MABS refers to a stress test. It suggests supplementing the requirement to verify the credit union member's ability to repay a loan with reference to a stress test to safeguard the repayment of the loan in the future. Would Ms O'Connor elaborate?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: How would the stress test be constructed? Would that happen within the credit union or would there be advice as to a standard stress test?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: Credit unions have traditionally always had in place a basis and rationale upon which they determine whether - and if so, how much - to lend. Is this in addition to that? Is this something new that MABS considers should be there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: Head 8 is the question of a strategic plan. There is a requirement in head 8 of the draft scheme that each credit union would adopt a strategic plan which documents in writing the strategy and objectives of the credit union. That seems eminently reasonable. I have not heard any objections to that. What would Ms O'Connor say in that regard? Has MABS concerns there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: The sense members would have of the advantages of credit unions is precisely that over the years they would have developed a unique appreciation of the community dimension to what they are doing and the nature of the particular challenges of those in their community. Would it be simply codifying that in some way or putting it down on paper?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: MABS also has suggestions about amendments to the Credit Union Act 1997 but, first, I will turn to my colleagues, Deputies Pearse Doherty and Michael McGrath, in particular, who may wish to comment.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: Given that MABS is so specific in terms of heads 3, 6 and 8, it would be better to direct any questions to Ms O'Connor in their regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Credit Union Bill 2012: Discussion (Resumed) (20 Sep 2012)

Alex White: Before I open the floor to members, I wish to ask a question about the Credit Union Act 1997. I want to ensure that we dispose of the specifics, in the first instance, and then members might want to questions that are more general in nature but which are also important. MABS has identified issues with the proposed amendments to sections 32, 37C and 46 of the 1997 Act. Will Ms O'Connor...