Results 2,461-2,480 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: My point is that in three years' time, when it is hoped matters in the financial sector will have improved, international investors will again become interested in our banking sector. It will then be pointed out to them that a surcharge may have to be paid in the future. NAMA may be showing good potential at that stage but if it is not, then we are only making more trouble for ourselves....

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I want to ask about the changes the Minister proposes to make to the Planning and Development Act 2000. It is about extending planning for NAMA. When this is being extended, are any changes to planning permission being contemplated which might improve the overall environment and the green agenda when applications come up for renewal? This might not be directly connected, but are there any...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I am sure the windfall tax issue has been discussed in-depth with the Minister. This does not apply to one-off housing in rural areas. It has nothing whatsoever to do with, say, a family that wants to sell a small site for a house to one of its members or someone else in the community.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: There will be much rezoning back to agricultural use in the next few years.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I move amendment No. 1: In page 16, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following: "2.—Where NAMA proposes to establish a Special Purpose Vehicle to purchase, manage or dispose of assets , it shall do so only in accord with regulations published by the Minister and approved by the Oireachtas which shall include, but are not limited to: (a) the suitability of investors, (b) the...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I second the amendment.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I move amendment No. 3: In page 17, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: "(viii) to ensure that the measures taken in this Act restore confidence in the banking sector are reciprocated by lending by the participating institutions to members of the public generally in their private capacity and to small and medium enterprise in particular, (ix) to ensure an orderly property...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: That would be useful.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: The Minister could get him under section 221.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I still intend to press the amendment. None of us wants to see NAMA fail but in the next few years there will be many problems and difficulties for the Minister. There will be the master SPV and there may be other SPVs. I have no doubt the Minister might find himself setting up property management companies in the foreseeable future. Ongoing critical financial management will be required....

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: Senator Quinn should not feel so strongly about not supporting this amendment because when one considers the amount of assets that NAMA will control, there will be plenty of opportunity for the Minister to look after the sort of organisations we are discussing. The Minister will deal with property worth €54 billion and there is more than ample scope for him to use a small proportion of...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: Because the Government would lose which would be difficult for the individuals involved. Aside from the politics of the House and the fact that we might derive some pleasure from that vote, the proposal has significant merit. The amount of the assets to be transferred would not disproportionately affect the outcome of NAMA. We should consider it in a positive way. We have wasted many...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: They Minister is very hopeful.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I move amendment No. 10: In page 39, between lines 32 and 33, to insert the following: "(f) the avoidance of conflict of interest by any expert adviser or service providers to NAMA and the participating institutions, (g) the orderly property management strategy over a ten year period, (h) for issuing loans, or for allowing security over which it has a charge be used as collateral for loans by...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (11 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: No.

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I would like to start on a positive note. I thank the Irish team for the magnificent performance it gave in the Stade de France last night, particularly Wexford's Kevin Doyle who has been a fantastic addition to the team throughout the qualifying period. Unfortunately it did not qualify for the competition in South Africa but its effort was fantastic. On another positive note, the...

Seanad: Order of Business (19 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: What about Fianna Fáil's Private Members' time?

Seanad: Order of Business (26 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: I support those Senators who spoke last night on the recent flooding and believe we should deal with the issue as if it was a full national emergency. Flood waters are at record levels across the Shannon basin and it is only right the Government should declare a national emergency, put a Minister in charge to deal with the issue properly for people in the west and midlands who have been...

Seanad: EU Council Decision: Motion (26 Nov 2009)

Liam Twomey: All Members will welcome any measure that will improve co-operation between customs services in the different jurisdictions of the European Union and reduce the quantities of illegal goods imported into Ireland. I refer, in particular, to reductions in the quantities of illegal drugs being imported by any number of organisations. On one level, I am surprised the Data Protection Commissioner...

Seanad: Order of Business (1 Dec 2009)

Liam Twomey: I want the Minister for Health and Children to attend the House to discuss the matter of the training of junior doctors in our acute hospitals. A recent report shows that the vast majority of negligence cases in our hospitals are the responsibility of the most junior doctors in our health care system. They do not receive adequate training and supervision. I seek a debate on this,...