Results 7,021-7,040 of 15,555 for speaker:Eoghan Murphy

Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: The working group on the cost of insurance, having published a report on the cost of motor insurance in January, has now commenced the second phase of its work, which involves addressing the cost of insurance for businesses, specifically employer liability and public liability insurance. As Minister of State at the Department of Finance, I chair the working group, which comprises...

Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Deputy. I understand the urgency of the issue because of the engagements we have had with businesses. For example, the hospitality sector is taking a very big hit when it comes to increases in insurance premiums. It has tried to control this risk by shutting down particular parts of businesses, such as nightclubs or the hosting of weddings. However, such services are part of...

Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: Quality of cover is key. Certain insurance providers are leaving parts of the market, which is leading to the problem of businesses having to self-insure against particular risks. It is dangerous for businesses and, potentially, the market. We will approach this issue as urgently as we approached motor insurance. The actions under the motor insurance plan are already under way and I look...

Priority Questions: Financial Services Sector (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: Since the decision of the UK to leave the European Union, the contingency planning by international financial services firms has increased significantly given the uncertainty surrounding the eventual outcomes. This planning involves examining current business models and information gathering to assess the potential post-Brexit scenario. As part of this information gathering, many firms have...

Priority Questions: Financial Services Sector (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: Financial services infrastructure is a very important part of this piece in terms of future-proofing our Irish financial services, IFS, offering, as the Deputy points out. When we look at certain parts of infrastructure and the potential for it to relocate or establish itself here, there are only a few players in the market, so we cannot be precise about exactly what conversations we have...

Priority Questions: Financial Services Sector (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: We share the same ambition here. I like to think that all parties in this House share the same ambition when it comes to the potential opportunities that might come from Brexit. There is no point in being busy if it is not for a strategic objective. I have met with some infrastructure providers on a number of occasions. It is part of the strategy that we are developing to make sure that...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Universal Social Charge (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank Senator Boyhan for raising this matter. As he will be aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to ask the Oireachtas to continue to phase out the USC as part of a wider medium-term income tax reform plan that keeps the tax base broad, reduces excessive tax rates for middle income earners, and limits the benefit for high earners. High marginal tax rates...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Universal Social Charge (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: I participated in that campaign also. We talked about abolishing or phasing out USC as fiscal resources allowed and nothing in the reply I have given to the Senator deviates from that plan.

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Universal Social Charge (4 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: That is what we will have to do on a year by year basis. We all recognise that the burden of taxation is too high and that the Government is taking too much of people's hard-earned money to fund vital State services. Those services must be funded. That is the reason we have the ratio of 4:1 in the current budget for the changes we have made in the fiscal space. We have an income tax...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (5 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Senator for raising this issue in the House. I am very sorry to hear about the difficulties faced by the individual referred to by the Senator. As she will be aware, the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 provides relief from VAT and VRT, up to a certain limit, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific...

Seanad: Commencement Matters: Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme (5 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Senator for her comments and I will relay the substance of the debate and the changes she is looking for to the Minister. I would remind the House that the scheme was examined in 2015 in order to target the available resources to those most in need of the scheme and, as a result of this, the Minister introduced a significant number of improvements from January 2016. I can give...

Brexit: Statements (Resumed) (11 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: Brexit raises significant challenges for the Government, the country and the people of Ireland. We have been undertaking contingency planning for this challenge since long before the Brexit referendum was held. The contingency planning began in the Department of Finance in 2015. There will be certain opportunities for Ireland and other EU countries, particularly in regard to financial...

Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: The management of problems of coastal protection in the area indicated is a matter for Fingal County Council in the first instance. The council must assess the problem and, if it is considered that specific measures and works are required, it is open to the council to apply for funding under the Office of Public Works, OPW, minor flood mitigation works and coastal protection scheme. Any...

Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: I appreciate the Deputy's commitment to this issue. I was in the House on a previous occasion when it was debated with the Deputy and the Minister of State, Deputy Canny. Of course there is a need for urgency, but we must ensure that the right coastal and flood protection work is carried out. The correct process must be followed in this regard. Fingal County Council has to identify the...

Other Questions: Flood Prevention Measures (13 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: The Deputy is right about finding the right balance in terms of the need to protect our coastal areas, as well as lives and property. We must proceed on this in the right way. Funding is available for these works to take place but we need to ensure that we are doing the right works. The risk management report showed that the proposed solution may not be the correct one or the best one. I...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (13 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: On 21 October 2015, the Government launched a Capital Investment Plan for An Garda Síochána for 2016-21. The Capital Investment Plan includes plans which involve the construction of new Garda stations in eight locations, major refurbishment of existing stations and facilities, essential remedial works to certain Garda properties, upgrading and modernising prisoner detention areas...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (13 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: No.

Other Questions: Garda Stations (13 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: The Deputy is right to raise the importance of this particular station. I can confirm that plans are well advanced. As she knows, the current station is in poor condition. Some minimal upgrading work was done to allow the station to tide over until the new one is built. The OPW is currently in the process of purchasing a property with a view to building a new Garda station and that site...

Other Questions: Garda Stations (13 Apr 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: The Deputy is correct to say that 21st century policing requires new resources. However, I am pleased to hear from the OPW that plans are well advanced in this regard. Once the legal transfer has been completed, which will happen shortly, we can move straight into the planning process and get the station built. Once that legal transfer is complete the Deputy will be notified immediately of...

Topical Issue Debate: Motor Insurance (3 May 2017)

Eoghan Murphy: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Minister for Finance has responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither the Minister for Finance nor the Central Bank of Ireland can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products as these matters are of a commercial nature and are determined by insurance companies based...