Results 6,261-6,280 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insurance Industry Regulation (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 1. To ask the Minister for Finance to set out his views on whether sufficient protection is in place domestically for Irish customers of insurance companies which are regulated here for conduct of business purposes while being prudentially regulated overseas; his further views on the fact that Irish insurance consumers are exposed to inadequate prudential regulation of insurance companies in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insurance Industry Regulation (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: The collapse of Setanta Insurance, which left approximately 75,000 policyholders high and dry, has prompted this question. We already had a Topical Issue debate on the matter some weeks ago. My main concern is that Irish consumers and insurance policyholders are potentially exposed to serious risk because they are buying insurance services from firms that are not regulated by the Irish...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insurance Industry Regulation (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: The key issue is that under EU law insurance firms can be licensed to sell services in Ireland while being fully supervised by their home regulators, which in the case of Setanta Insurance Company Limited was the Maltese regulator. The firm collapsed, leaving more than 70,000 Irish policyholders high and dry and out of pocket. In a reply to a recent parliamentary question the Minister...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Insurance Industry Regulation (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: The real question is what lessons can be learned from the collapse of Setanta Insurance. Should we be making consumers more aware of the fact that certain firms licensed to sell insurance services in Ireland are not regulated in Ireland? It is mentioned in the small print and foot notes of the documentation provided, but people make a general assumption that a firm selling an insurance...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: NAMA Operations (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 4. To ask the Minister for Finance the position on the ongoing review of the National Asset Management Agency's operations; when the review will come to a conclusion; if he is considering an early wind-up of NAMA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23188/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: NAMA Operations (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: Today NAMA issued its annual report for 2013 and it seems to be making good progress towards achieving its objectives. This question relates to the suggestion NAMA will conclude its work ahead of the 2020 timeframe initially set for it. I note that both the chairman and the CEO said today that NAMA was well ahead of schedule in getting its job done and that the Department of Finance was...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: NAMA Operations (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: It is welcome that the report will be laid before the Houses before the summer recess because there is a big judgment call to be made on NAMA in the near future. It is clear that it has ramped up its disposal activity, is taking advantage of the more favourable conditions in the property market and ahead of schedule in the disposal of the overall loan and property book it acquired. This...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: NAMA Operations (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: An additional point is that if the property market is on the way up, NAMA and, by extension, the State stand to be the largest beneficiary and we could lose out in a rising property market if NAMA is forced to wind up early. That consideration needs to be taken into account. My information is no better than that of anybody else on what direction the property market will take in the next few...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Resolution Processes (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 12. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the rate at which the banks are dealing with mortgage arrears, in view of his Department's recent figures which show that three quarters of residential mortgages in arrears over 90 days are yet to have a long-term restructuring arrangement put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23031/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU State Aid Negotiations (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 13. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the length of time it takes the European Commission to approve budget day announcements which are subject to state aid rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23034/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 24. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the increasing divergence between tracker mortgage rates and standard variable rates; his views on whether banks are using increased standard variable rates to subsidise loss-making tracker loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23035/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 32. To ask the Minister for Finance when a State-backed enterprise bank will be established; the lending capacity of the bank; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23033/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Relief Eligibility (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 34. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider easing the tax burden on families who are forced to move out of their principal private residence and rent another property due to changed family circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23032/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 79. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 46 of 1 May 2014, if he will separately disclose the proportion of AIB's non recourse lending which relates to mortgage and personal borrowing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22134/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Communications (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 104. To ask the Minister for Finance if officials in his Department are allowed to use non-departmental e-mail addresses, telephone numbers or other methods of communication for departmental business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22440/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Relief Eligibility (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 112. To ask the Minister for Finance if persons (details supplied) in County Tipperary are entitled to tax relief at source on mortgage interest in respect of the amount of their mortgage drawn down in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22540/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Ombudsman Issues (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 140. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will address an issue raised in correspondence in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 14; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 154. To ask the Minister for Finance his views regarding the impact of online sales imports on the retail sector here; if he has quantified the amount of money spent here each year on imported goods through online purchases; if he can quantify the amount of taxation forgone for the State as a result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23117/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Services Provision (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 187. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 95 of 7 May 2014, if he will consider introducing an exemption from maths for children with the rare diagnosis of dyscalculia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22385/14]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Haddington Road Agreement Review (27 May 2014)

Michael McGrath: 316. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there is an opportunity to review the lack of a definitive end date to the provision in the Haddington Road Agreement whereby those working a 35 hour week are required to work an extra two hours per week without extra pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22832/14]