Results 6,761-6,780 of 7,777 for speaker:Joe Costello

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: Regarding the disk the Revenue received from the French authorities, did the latter compile that disk or was it the raw information? Did the French authorities have a particular disk per seor did they cut and paste material for Ireland?

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: But what is in the public domain-----

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: It has been reported that part of the reason the Swiss authorities will not co-operate is because they perceive these data as having been stolen and therefore, they are entitled to not co-operate with anybody who is in possession of those data and have refused to co-operate.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: Consequently, there is no sense in members writing to HSBC Geneva to ask its representatives to come over here and report back.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: The position regarding Argentina seems to be completely different from the position in Ireland. While it seems to be existing offshore accounts here, in Argentina they were looking for repatriation of money that came directly from the HSBC branches in Argentina. This committee has been in communication with HSBC here in Dublin and it has indicated it is unable to help the committee. Is the...

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: Before it happens.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: That would be a good message to call out. Does the Chairman think the headquarters in London can help us? Does he think it would be a suitable request for representatives of the HSBC headquarters in London to come before this committee and that they would have the relevant information on the lines of the hearings in the United Kingdom?

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: They had other options, which quite clearly, Revenue has been successful in pursuing.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: Revenue has been successful in securing approximately €2.75 billion through the offshore accounts unit with regard to 35,000 or 36,000 Irish account holders over the past 14 or 15 years, which is highly impressive. Clearly, HSBC Geneva was a small player in that respect. How can a bank of that nature still secure a licence to operate if Revenue already has prosecuted some people in...

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: However, the Chairman already has mentioned how it was in one of the newspapers that, during all of this hullabaloo, the Swiss bank actually was advertising and emphasising the importance of secrecy.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: People were able to read between the lines as to what it was all about. It is not just simple confidentiality.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: No, my point really was to ask how come that bank still can retain its licence if this country, Argentina, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom and so many other jurisdictions find clearly that what has been going on in this particular bank has been pretty rotten and corrupt in respect of facilitating tax evasion.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: So there is no way to deal with a matter of that nature, despite the fact that a section of the bank involved is operating in our jurisdiction.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: I appreciate that. However, we are discussing an institution that has been found to be totally wanting in terms of proper practice and procedures and to have abused the system. Is there no way for the authorities in Ireland, Argentina, Belgium, France or elsewhere to state that they would like to oppose a licence being granted to such an operation?

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: Is there an answer to my question? Is it the case that there is no mechanism in place? I accept what Mr. Cody is saying about good practices-----

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: And Mr. Cody cannot point us in any direction in that regard.

Public Accounts Committee: Revenue Commissioners Investigation of HSBC Offshore Accounts (12 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: I thank Mr. Cody.

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (24 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Nash, on the good work he has been doing in this general area over a period of time. The particular issue I am addressing is a serious one. A date for strike action has been agreed for 2 April by Mandate after every effort was exhausted to try to bring Dunnes Stores to the table to negotiate and use the industrial relations machinery. I request...

Topical Issue Debate: Industrial Disputes (24 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: I thank the Minister of State for his reply and am delighted he has indicated he is pressurising both sides to come together in so far as he can, to attend the Labour Court and resolve their difficulties and the gap between them as quickly as possible and in a fair manner. The message that should be coming tonight is that there is excellent industrial relations machinery here that can...

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Exceptional Needs Payments (24 Mar 2015)

Joe Costello: 196. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the funding available through her Department for funeral services to families in need. [11465/15]