Results 2,241-2,260 of 2,965 for speaker:Robert Dowds

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: As this is a relevant issue for this meeting, why is there not someone here today to address it? It is a critically important issue for so many people around this country, and it frustrates credit unions. There is a related issue in that there are restrictions on credit unions giving loans to people who they know are good bets. There is a lot of distrust of the sort of intelligence that...

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: Might we have a formal response from the Central Bank on this issue? I can tell the witnesses that before they came in we were getting notice of delays from certain other Departments. I hope we do not have to ask for a special extra meeting to get this information. It is not in any of our interests. I have another question. Everyone is aware of the recently announced Government strategy...

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: Yes; either the Central Bank or the Department of Finance. I would be interested in their comments on it.

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: I was rather surprised by this suggestion in the sense that it is not an area in which I would expect credit unions to be involved, although if they have sufficient funds and are able to be, that is all well and good. Could I ask Mr. Casey for a written response from the Central Bank on this question? There is one other area I wish to ask about, and then I will wind up. I have been asked...

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: Will a new credit union emerge or will Permanent TSB take over all that business?

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: The neighbouring towns of Naas or Kildare could come in.

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: When did it become apparent that Newbridge Credit Union was in financial difficulty? Did the Central Bank or the Department of Finance have any role in monitoring it at that stage or did the internal regulator do that entirely?

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: We have seen references to credit unions in Howth, Sutton and Berehaven having got into trouble. Does the Central Bank expect any others to get into further trouble? I know Mr. Casey cannot name them. The smaller ones may get involved in restructuring, which is a different but important issue.

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: I am not asking Mr. Casey to name them, because that would not be right, but does he know how many might be in difficulty?

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: The Central Bank has put a red light on those.

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: The restructuring proposal is a good idea. Would that help in dealing with some of them?

Public Accounts Committee: Credit Union Fund Accounts 2013; Credit Resolution Institution Fund Accounts 2013; and Credit Union Restructuring Board Accounts 2013 (11 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: Will the witnesses please bring back the message that people should get loans more easily, particularly if they are trying to start up businesses? That is so important for all of us.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: The Opposition might bear in mind that the country is in a very difficult financial situation and it is important Irish Water gets a fair wind in its establishment.

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: Could the Minister confirm that the €460 million will not have to be paid by Irish Water or the local authorities-----

Water Services Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: -----and that this is removing a cost from both Irish Water and the local authorities?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: 382. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on introducing legislation which will grant victims the right to request a review of decisions by the DPP not to bring forward prosecutions, in view of the fact that such a right is provided to victims of crime in other common law jurisdictions, such as in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48339/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Victim Support Services (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: 383. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on bringing forward legislation which will require the DPP to provide reasons why a prosecution was not brought forward; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48340/14]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of the Planning and Development (No. 1) Bill 2014 (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: I thank the officials for attending. I am very much in favour of the spirit of this legislation because it is important to try to attend to the housing crisis. I am very much in favour of the vacant site levy but what happens if county councils are not proactive in pursuing such sites? It is a good idea to fill in sites in towns and cities that are near the centre of activity. Could lower...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of the Planning and Development (No. 1) Bill 2014 (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: Will Mr. Sheridan ask the Minister to consider using a stick from on high in cases where local authorities refuse to identify sites?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: General Scheme of the Planning and Development (No. 1) Bill 2014 (16 Dec 2014)

Robert Dowds: I am specifically thinking about areas that have been zoned for housing for many years but have not been brought into use.