Results 6,101-6,120 of 7,975 for speaker:Joe Higgins

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: It is extraordinary.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: We have the very chief of the operation before us.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: The Taoiseach has to politically answer for the disaster that Irish Water has become.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: We cannot call the Taoiseach to account for commitments in the programme for Government-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: -----which turn into an unmitigated disaster.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: I think it is extremely relevant. Will the Ceann Comhairle allow me to ask, at least-----

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: In that regard, the Taoiseach referred to the €100 grant as a conservation grant. Does he agree that marks a new degradation of the English language? An attempted political bribe becomes a conservation grant. Real conservation would be investment in people retrofitting their homes to save billions of litres of water or changing the planning laws to ensure that water saving devices...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: I thought we would have the opportunity of a second round.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: I am under pressure because the Joint Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis is due to meet shortly.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: You did not.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: They are not fooled.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Programme for Government Implementation (3 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: Who counted them for the Taoiseach? Was it himself or the driver?

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Establishment (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: 22. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding the commitment in the programme for Government regarding the Irish Water networks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3364/15]

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: A briefing paper from the researchers to the committee indicates the following, "The increasing role of investors and speculators in the residential property market was a source of concern to the Irish Government when it commissioned Bacon's first report." Was that Dr. Bacon's understanding of why the Government commissioned his succession of three reports? He has just told us of his belief...

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: That was for investors.

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: Yes. Although the rate of increase did reduce in 2001, for second-hand houses, for example, prices still increased at approximately two thirds of the average industrial wage in that year alone. An ordinary person would see that as an inordinate increase. Would Dr. Bacon's proposed measures have been enough to have an ongoing effect in bringing the prices down to much lower levels than this?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: An article in The Irish Timesfrom 6 December 2001 by Mr. Colm Keena suggests that the decision made by the then Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, to reverse a high rate of stamp duty for investors "was done against official advice and after intensive lobbying by interested parties." The briefing note from the researchers to the committee makes the following assertion, "There...

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: Which people?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: What is Dr. Bacon's understanding of the nature of these investors? Did they have political clout? Did that affect Dr. Bacon?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (4 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: I wish to explore the issue of affordability of homes with Dr. Bacon. My interpretation, which Dr. Bacon can correct if I am wrong, is that he saw affordability more for the ability to pay a mortgage. One of Dr. Bacon's recommendations was to increase the length of mortgage time. I think he may have put out a figure of 35 years on one occasion. I am keen to explore with Dr. Bacon a...