Results 5,961-5,980 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: On entering office in 2011, the centrepiece of the Government's health policy was the introduction of universal health insurance. It has taken three years for the Government to publish a White Paper on the matter, which it did yesterday. Unfortunately, however, that White Paper has given rise to more questions than it has answers in respect of universal health insurance. It does not, for...

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: Not true.

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: We still oppose it.

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: No, it does not.

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: I fully support the idea of a universal health care system-----

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: -----in which access is based on clinical need. What I do not support is handing over the future of the Irish health service to private, for-profit health insurers, which is precisely what lies at the heart of the policy in this regard. I would have thought this is the complete opposite what the Labour Party stands for. The fundamental question which arises relates to circumstances where a...

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: The bottom line is that policy in this area is going in completely the opposite direction to what the Government states it is trying to achieve, that is, encouraging increasing numbers of people to take out private health insurance and to ensure ultimately, through the roll-out of universal health insurance, that everyone will be obliged to have this. The Government is driving people out of...

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: -----be obliged to pay €3,200 for health insurance cover for two adults and two children. That is the reality. Those who will be affected are people who currently cannot afford to pay for private health insurance. I am of the view that they deserve answers.

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: I have read the White Paper.

Leaders' Questions (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: It is a for-profit model.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: Before I speak, the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, cannot accuse Deputy Mathews of lacking courage. It was an unfair accusation of the man.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: I wish to raise two issues on the Order of Business. First, will the Minister update the House on the terms of reference of the commission of investigation under Mr. Justice Fennelly? I understand that the Cabinet has discussed them. When does the Minister expect them to be agreed at Cabinet level and introduced in the House for a full debate? Second, the special liquidator of IBRC,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Staff (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: 66. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff employed by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation at the time the special liquidator was appointed in 2013; the number currently employed; the number currently serving out a notice period; the special liquidator's plans for the remainder of the staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15943/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Liquidation (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: 67. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the sale by the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation special liquidator of Project Sand; the number of parties who submitted final bids; when a final decision will be made on the sale of the mortgage book; the special liquidator's plans regarding the applicability of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears after the sale; and if he will...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Debt Restructuring (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: 68. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the ongoing delay in finalising the restructuring plan for Permanent TSB with the European Commission; if he will advise of the current position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15945/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: 69. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank of Ireland plans to progress the investigation into the mis-selling of payment protection insurance policies; the number of policies that have been reviewed at this point in time; how far back the review covers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15946/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Euro Coins Production (3 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: 70. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide details, for each year since the introduction of the euro in Ireland, of the quantity and value of each denomination of Irish euro coins, for example, the number of one cent coins for each year, number of two cent coins for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15947/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (8 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: 1. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the impact on mortgage holders, tracker and standard variable rate customers and on the economy generally of the possibility that interest rates may begin to climb again over the period ahead; and his plans to address the matter. [16460/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (8 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: Question No. 1 in my name relates to our historically low interest rates, particularly for tracker mortgages. As the Minister knows, the banks are coming before the finance committee this week to give an update on how they are handling the mortgage arrears crisis. The purpose of this question is to have a debate on the impact of any future possible interest rate increases on mortgage...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (8 Apr 2014)

Michael McGrath: This is an important issue worthy of debate. Considering that the average ECB rate since the introduction of the euro is approximately 2.5% and that the rate went as high as 4.75% approximately 12 years ago, we can see that today it is at an historically low level of 0.25% and it may even come down a little further to deal with the issue of deflation in the eurozone. As night follows day...