Results 6,321-6,340 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy asked an abstract question. With regard to the concrete question, they are two entirely different public private partnership arrangements. They are not the same.

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand the position, the developer is contractually committed in one of the Dublin arrangements to which Deputy Burton referred. In the other case, no legal arrangement was entered into.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The national development plan, NDP, is a high level strategic framework and financial investment plan. It sets out indicative financial allocations for the investment priorities which will consolidate and enhance our economic competitiveness and provide a better quality of life for everyone in this country. The plan brings together different sectoral investment policies into one overall...

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The allocation for a particular year, as the plan indicated, is always subject to our obligations to the European Central Bank under the Maastricht arrangements. It is also subject to the prevailing budgetary position so, in devising the Estimates for this year for capital next year, sovereignty lies with the process this year.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not accept that but I do accept that I have an obligation, as Minister for Finance, to ensure current spending is kept under tight control and that priority is given to investments outlined in the national development plan.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The relevant quantum of investment took place in the NDP in the past two years. As Minister for Finance I will review this, examine the position this year in the mid-term review and bring forward proposals for the Government in the autumn.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand my predecessor pointed out that the manifesto was subject to current budget constraints and considerations, as any manifesto should be.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Delivery of the NDP remains the priority of the Government in the context of public finances.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We can debate this in future but it is clear that in the past two years all the commitments in the NDP have been met.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is evidenced in the substantial expenditure we have seen in improving our roads network, for example, which is taking place ahead of schedule this year due to the fine weather we have had. I have no doubt the other investments will also be progressed in the NDP.

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 94 together. As the Deputies are aware the Government decided that the increases recommended by the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector should be implemented for the generality of grades covered by the recommendations on the following phased basis: 5% from 14 September 2007, the date of the report, or where the total increase is less...

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been considering this question since my appointment as Minister for Finance. The Taoiseach has made clear that the Government is prepared to review all increases in the context of the social partnership discussions that are under way. I do not want to pre-empt those discussions at this stage. I appreciate that the Deputy asked whether preconditions were being set. In my discussions...

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No. I——

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I recognise the considerable public disquiet surrounding these pay increases. They were determined, as the Deputy knows, by a group——

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: They were determined based on an exercise of comparison with the private sector. I know from discussions with finance Ministers from other countries that there is grave concern in many European countries about the high levels of remuneration with which senior private executives are awarding themselves. In that context, I agree with the position of the Taoiseach and the Government that we...

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will not indicate at this stage what I intend to do.

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Two or three issues arise from the Deputy's question. I agree with her that the bonus payments, characterised by some payments in senior banking positions, are deplorable. That these increases are occurring in international financial markets is a cause of common concern among many European Finance Ministers. Concerning the comparators used by the body in question, the review and...

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Ministers have no such linkage and are consequently in an impossible position constitutionally and politically.

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have made it clear that the Taoiseach has placed this matter on the agenda of the public social partnership talks. I am not prepared to go beyond that this afternoon. The Taoiseach has made it clear that the matter will be subject to further discussion and that issues have not been finalised in that regard.

Government Pay Awards. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy can use it if she wishes.