Results 301-320 of 332 for speaker:Shay Brennan

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Policy (8 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: 65. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his plans to review social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53574/25]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: It is very nice to meet Ms Gerasko. I apologise for missing her opening statement. I read the statement closely and noted many issues of concern in it. One in particular that caught my attention was what seem to be persistent Russian attacks on or near nuclear reactors in Ukraine. Obviously, Chornobyl is of concern and-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: I thank Ms Gerasko. I was going to struggle with that name. How big a potential issue is this? Using explosive ordnance close to nuclear reactors could damage them or eliminate their power to such an extent that cooling would be prevented and there would be a meltdown. I am not saying that is likely, but Russia cannot be doing this by accident. What is driving the Russians to target...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade: Update on Current Situation in Ukraine: H.E. Larysa Gerasko, Ambassador of Ukraine to Ireland (14 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: I appreciate what Ms Gerasko is saying about the Russians trying to intimidate Ukraine and the rest of Europe. Does she feel the international community is taking that threat seriously enough, or is there more that could be done?

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: 3. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on the economy, trade and competitiveness will next meet. [46842/25]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: Internationally recognised digital hubs like Station F in Paris have profoundly transformed their local and regional economies by attracting start-ups, venture capital and cutting-edge innovation ecosystems. The Government has signalled strong backing for digital hubs as cornerstones of Ireland's economic competitiveness and future growth. Sandyford Business District is at an advanced stage...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: 15. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on EU and international affairs will next meet. [46843/25]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (14 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in Russian drone incursions into airspace of several EU member states. These were accompanied by threats to energy and transport infrastructure. Both the European Parliament and the Council have called for a stronger, more co-ordinated EU response including potential joint air defence measures, tougher sanctions and new protocols to address aerial...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: Thank you, Chair. I missed a portion of the meeting due to another commitment. If I ask a question and it has been answered, I ask the witnesses to tell me and I can play the video at a later stage and get the answer that way. On my way out of the office, I think I heard Deputy Doherty ask what the interest rate is on the loans. Will the witnesses confirm that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: To take a step back then, what is the structure of these loans? What is the instrument? Are the bonds issued by the sovereign nations or the EU? Is it third-party bank lending, for example?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: That is advantageous to the borrowing nation. Is there any danger that nations could redirect their military spending and use this fund to replace borrowing they are doing elsewhere?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: Essentially, yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: An example might help to get it across. If you spend €100 million on your military and you borrow within your economy anyway for other reasons, given you are doing it anyway, could you now put the €100 million you are spending on the military under the SAFE instrument and borrow that €100 million from the EU at a lower rate to reduce borrowing elsewhere that you were...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: Is that likely to happen? I am not directing all the questions at Mr. McGann. It is a general question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: What is the seniority of these loans? I am thinking of a Brexit-type scenario, whereby a nation actually leaving the EU has obligations to the EU. Where in that pecking order does this particular instrument sit?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: Sovereigns default all the time. I will go further on what the Chair asked. The tone is quite optimistic that no one is going to default. Have any scenarios been run, like actuarial scenarios? If a bank is to lend you money, it is going to do its due diligence. It is going to work out the probability of default. Has anything similar to that been done?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: I appreciate that before a default takes place, work will be undertaken to restructure and assist that nation. Even without this instrument, an EU nation defaulting is problematic for the Union so support would be there. There is one thing I want to understand. If a nation comes in tomorrow to draw down €5 billion, it is a case of the EU having to go to the market to raise that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: I should have this figure but Ms Ralph might have it. What is the current level of EU debt?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: I thank Ms Ralph. I will obtain that figure. Related to that, what level of default can the EU absorb before a capital call is made on sovereign nations?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Scrutiny of EU Legislative Proposals (15 Oct 2025)

Shay Brennan: Okay. I apologise for my scattergun questions.