Results 6,881-6,900 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rate Increases (30 Sep 2014)

Michael McGrath: 200. To ask the Minister for Finance the partial and full-year cost to the Exchequer of raising the VAT registration threshold for small and medium enterprises with low turnover from €70,000 to €100,000, €150,000, €200,000 and €250,000, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36946/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Judgments (30 Sep 2014)

Michael McGrath: 265. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of actions for repossession of houses and or apartments initiated in the courts in 2013; the number initiated to date in 2014; the number of cases in which an order for repossession was granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36685/14]

Leaders' Questions (1 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: We will come to that.

Leaders' Questions (1 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: He is talking down the clock.

Order of Business (1 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: I raise an issue reported in The Sunday Business Postlast weekend that 4,000 SME customers of Danske Bank face the sale of their loans to a foreign-owned vulture fund. It is a similar issue to the one we have previously raised in relation to mortgage holders. The relevant legislation is the sale of loan books to unregulated third parties Bill. If this happens to businesses before the...

European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the opportunity to speak on Second Stage of the European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Bill. Fianna Fail will support the Bill because it is a logical extension of supporting the original ESM Bill in 2012 but for the more important reason, as indicated in the Minister's opening contribution, that it keeps open the possibility of a deal on retroactive recapitalisation for this...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: 1. To ask the Minister for Finance his projection for the deficit for 2014; the adjustment needed to bring the deficit below 3% and 2%, respectively; if a neutral budget will exclude the impact of already announced measures such as water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37399/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: The purpose of this question is to establish some baseline data for budget 2015. I should not really have to use a priority question to obtain this information, but, unfortunately, I do because we in opposition are still working from a document that dates from last April. We are relying on the odd scrap of information thrown into the public domain by Ministers who are talking in broad terms...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: I would like the Minister to continue with his answer.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: The Minister was just about to get to the important part. He has restated what was said publicly, that is, a broadly neutral budget will be sufficient to bring the deficit below 3% of GDP in 2015, which is to be welcomed. As he indicated, statistical reclassification has had an important impact on the opening position, but I can only speak for Fianna Fáil when I say that, as we try to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: It is included in the figure of 0.15% for next year.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: That would be a policy change.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: I understand that, as announced last year and enacted, the pension levy will remain in place at 0.15% for 2015. That has been pencilled into the figures.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Government Deficit (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: The Minister informed the House that a further 1% reduction in the deficit would mean a fiscal adjustment of an additional €1.75 billion. He has stated publicly today and previously that a neutral budget would bring us below 3% of GDP - the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has done likewise. However, some estimates indicate a broadly neutral budget...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2015 (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: That is not the truth. These questions are not being answered.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2015 (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: Is that based on the growth estimate?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Banking Sector (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: 4. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for the future of Allied Irish Banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37400/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Banking Sector (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: The question relates to the future of AIB. I am aware the Department is appointing a panel of financial advisers to advise on the possible disposal of the State’s interests in the banking sector. The purpose of the question is to establish the Minister’s intentions in respect of AIB. I have some views on the matter which I will outline.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Banking Sector (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: I am not averse to the State divesting itself of at least some of its shareholding in AIB at the appropriate time, but there should be no question of selling any of our shareholding in AIB, pending the outcome of the negotiation of a bank debt deal. Selling equity share capital in AIB now would be a complicating factor in that arrangement and we are supposed to be preparing an application...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: State Banking Sector (2 Oct 2014)

Michael McGrath: I accept that the Minister must, of course, accept the outcome of the stress tests before making any decision. Does he, equally, accept that we need to know where we stand on a bank debt deal before making any decision on the future of AIB. Selling a stake in AIB now to private investors would be, at a minimum, a complicating factor in any negotiation on a deal on bank debt. We are...