Results 2,341-2,360 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Budget Statement 2012 (6 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I imagine that had been rehearsed for a long while.

European Summit: Motion (8 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I compliment the Technical Group for putting down this motion and I listened to most of the contributions earlier. I used to find myself agreeing much of the time with Deputy Ross when we were both in another place, and I share his view on most of the points he raised. The Minister of State, Deputy Sherlock, has outlined the position quite clearly. There are two issues being discussed in...

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: It has not been dropped. Have we a six month winter season?

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: You are not bad at wailing yourself.

Social Welfare Bill 2011: Second Stage (8 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Do not talk about impacting on people after what you did in the previous three years.

Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Question 21: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the effect budget 2012 will have on active farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38946/11]

Written Answers — Agri-Food Industry: Agri-Food Industry (14 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Question 60: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the support that is being given to active farmers in vulnerable areas following budget 2012 announcements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38945/11]

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: The President of Brazil is female.

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I am glad to have an opportunity to speak in support of the introduction of the Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011. I would like to make a few points in response to Deputy Boyd Barrett, who spoke as usual with great passion. I disagreed with virtually everything he said. He made the point that no concrete evidence was produced when he asked people about our growth...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Such projections are made on the basis of an analysis of the figures as things stand and a prediction of how things might progress into the future. One cannot have concrete evidence in support of that. I do not understand why the Deputy spoke so passionately about this legislation. Although it is modest in its content, it is quite progressive. It will bring an end to the system whereby...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: It also increases our quota within the IMF from 0.528% to 0.724%. Some 53% of our borrowings from the IMF will now attract the lower rate of interest. That is positive for Irish citizens and taxpayers. The 2008 quota reform had a smaller effect. It increased our quota from 0.392% to 0.528% and just 19.3% of our borrowings from the IMF attracted the lower interest rate. I am always struck...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: As a result, most of the public sector would be made redundant. It would have to be done.

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: We have no source of funding other than the IMF and the ECB. They are protecting our public sector and our economy. We have to ensure they are out of here as soon as possible. Deputy Boyd Barrett gave examples of countries where, according to him, the IMF has played a less than positive role. For this country, the most immediate example of a country that received IMF assistance is...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: That was much later, in fairness. The Deputy is entitled to his views on the person in question. Other issues were raised by other Members. Deputy Mac Lochlainn spoke about the Government's promises. He said that prior to the last election, there was solidarity among all parties other then those in government at the time. He said the current Government promised to renegotiate the IMF...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I do not agree with the idea that the IMF is essentially here to attack the public sector. If it did not have a presence in this country, we would be paying extortionate amounts to borrow money on the markets. The reality is that if we were not receiving the support of the IMF, the public sector would be decimated. Perhaps Deputy Boyd Barrett can outline his understanding of the nature of...

Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2011: Second Stage (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: I fully welcome the introduction of this Bill as a very positive step towards improving the structures of the International Monetary Fund. I remember in secondary school - which was not all that long ago - reading about the Bretton Woods agreement. Thanks to the Oireachtas Library and Information Service I have had the chance to read some more about the agreement in recent days in...

Written Answers — Banks Recapitalisation: Banks Recapitalisation (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Finance, with regard to the bailout of Irish banks by the Government, where has the initial bailout money gone; where is the money that is now being given to banks coming from; the amount of money that has been or will be given to each of the Irish banks from the Government; on whose recommendation did the Government decide to bailout the banks and are...

Written Answers — Bank Guarantee Scheme: Bank Guarantee Scheme (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance the rationale for the Government guarantees of the Irish banks in September 2009; the nature, extent and limitations; and if there is an expiration date for the guarantees. [40662/11]

Written Answers — Banks Recapitalisation: Banks Recapitalisation (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Question 78: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the Government bailed out mismanaged banks rather than other financially challenged private companies, businesses or individuals; and what makes a private commercial bank different in nature from other private companies in its ability to secure a Government bailout. [40663/11]

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (15 Dec 2011)

John Paul Phelan: Question 79: To ask the Minister for Finance who owns the Central Bank of Ireland; is it State owned, privately owned, or some combination; who are the directors and principal shareholders and who appoints the shareholders and directors and to whom are they accountable. [40664/11]