Results 3,541-3,560 of 26,843 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 49: In page 27, line 31, to delete "3 consecutive terms" and substitute "5 consecutive terms".My amendment concerns the same issue, that is, the time limits. There is no need to rehash the arguments.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 54: In page 33, lines 11 and 12, to delete "and other financial services legislation".

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 55: In page 35, line 16, after "committee," to insert the following: "as expressed through a written statement issued to the director in question,".This is a particular issue arising from a representation at my clinic of a person who had formerly served on the board of an oversight committee and considers that due process was not followed when it came to his removal from...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I thank the Minister.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Ditto.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I move amendment No. 84: In page 55, lines 26 and 27, to delete all words from and including “and” in line 26 down to and including “legislation” in line 27.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Irish League of Credit Unions places significant emphasis on this issue in its representations. It seems to be a reasonable request in what is now a very different regulatory environment that there be a clear understanding of how credit unions will relate to the Central Bank and the terms under which they will do so. I am interested in hearing the Minister's response, but it seems to be...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The Minister agrees with the principle that there would be such a protocol for how the credit unions-----

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I presume that the credit unions, as very different bodies to the banks or other big financial institutions that are run by professionals, are worried about a regulatory environment that is extremely onerous on them, given their volunteer basis. If I remember the representations they made to us, that is what they were afraid of. The important point is that we are sensitive, in the drafting...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is not telling the Central Bank how it is to relate to the credit unions. It is just making it a requirement that it has an understanding so that the credit unions know what their potential obligations might be.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Deputy Noonan is the Minister. He should decide.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: This is an important amendment. A convincing case was made to me by the credit unions and the Irish League of Credit Unions to the effect that this threatened the democratic ethos of the credit unions. Whereas the credit unions recognise that certain functions are executive functions, the treasurer is elected directly by the members and is then responsible for preparing accounts and making...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Credit Union Bill 2012: Committee Stage (21 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: The credit unions accept that much of the operational stuff has to be done by the managing director, but that there is a role for a directly elected treasurer who has oversight of the accounts. That seems to be to be a reasonable position and I do not see why the Minister would not see the need at least to take on board what is being said here, as he has been very reasonable on other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (22 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: On the macro issues involved and the troika, perhaps I did not hear Deputy Arthur Spring's question fully, but is the IMF stating the multiplier effect was far greater than expected? That is a significant admission on its part. In subsequent discussions was there a rethink on the part of the IMF about the merits of cutting as a means to improve the economic situation and spur growth? The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (22 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We disagree substantially. People need to know in considering the macro position that of the figure of €15 billion that is always repeated, €9 billion is interest on debt. The Minister should admit this publicly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (22 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I have looked at them. In 2007 the debt was €47 billion and it is now €196 billion. That huge increase is the direct result of the bank bailout and the economic collapse resulting from the activities of banks and financial institutions. I consider all of it odious and unacceptable debt.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (22 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I accept that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (22 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I accept that, but I am making the point that the primary deficit is considerably smaller and that there are other ways to bridge it. I argue that to finance the other aspect of the debt, we are doing things that are preventing us from closing the deficit through the generation of growth. The primary deficit is manageable and we could deal with it through a change in tax policy and greater...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (22 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We will agree to disagree on those issues. At least we have aired them. I will move on to the question of public sector jobs. Despite what the Minister has said about the focus on stimulus, etc., his projections for next year are absolutely flat in terms of jobs. Is that not correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Service Reform Plan: Discussion with Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (22 Nov 2012)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Does it not indicate that whatever we are gaining on the swings, we are losing on the roundabouts?