Results 801-820 of 2,211 for speaker:Paul Connaughton

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Mr. Elderfield has been vocal on the issue of mortgage arrears, the banks and the way in which the domestic economy is struggling. More than 126,000 mortgages are in arrears. What is his estimate of what the figure will be in the next six, 12 and 18 months?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Does Mr. Elderfield envisage much of an increase in repossessions?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I understand the Financial Regulator has set targets for the banks. When are they due to first report to the regulator?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: If the bank does not reach its target and if the Financial Regulator finds out that it offered a deal to a customer and it appears a deal was completed but it does not work for the customer at all, what powers does the Financial Regulator or the Central Bank now have to ensure that they learn from it and that it will not happen again or that they will fix it properly?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Does Mr. Elderfield believe he has the staff and resources to make that happen? If there are unsustainable solutions will the people in Mr. Elderfield's office be quick enough to turn it around, decide that it has not worked and suggest how to move on with it?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Has Mr. Elderfield been frustrated by the banks?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Does Mr. Elderfield believe the banks are steadfast behind these targets now and that they will deliver on them?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: The banks were bailed out by the taxpayer. They are in a catch-22 in that they are trying to get more money in to get out of public hands but they must do deals on mortgage arrears as well. When are the next stress tests due on the banks?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Mr. Elderfield obviously knows the position inside out. As matters stand, is he of the view that the banks will require a further bailout?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I will conclude with a final point because other members are champing at the bit. Mr. Elderfield will leave his post in October. He stated earlier that "as a supervisor one is almost always playing catch up with industry and it is dangerous to think one will get to a point when one can rest on your laurels". Is he concerned by the fact that in the past six months certain individuals have...

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Is Mr. Elderfield not concerned that even though we are in a depression at the moment, there is talk about over-regulation? We have gone in the complete opposite direction to where we were. Will Mr. Elderfield have an input into his replacement at any level? Does he believe that a crisis would have occurred were the changes he implemented in place prior to the crisis?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I have a lot more questions but it is only fair to allow someone else to speak. I thank Mr. Elderfield for his answers and wish him the best of luck in the future.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Fuel Allowance Eligibility (18 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: 231. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if receipt of a UK winter fuel payment will have any effect on eligibility for fuel allowance here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28934/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Sheep Census (18 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: 440. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was given a penalty during an on-farm inspection for failing to return a sheep census form when at the time he had no sheep; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28941/13]

Special Educational Needs: Motion [Private Members] (25 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this motion. First, I welcome the decision by the Minister for Education and Skills to sanction the 500 additional posts that are required to maintain the current level of resource support for children who need it most. This is a crucial decision, but the announcement that preceded it should never have happened in the first place. It caused...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Appeals (25 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: 500. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an appeal for disadvantaged area payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30102/13]

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments (25 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: 512. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment in respect of the rural environment protection scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30372/13]

Equal Status (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage [Private Members] (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill. As is the case with all legislation which comes before the House, I am concerned with regard to its likely impact. Essentially, the Bill would place more pressure on the staff of public bodies to prepare reports and would require the allocation of significant additional resources to the Equality Authority in order that it...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: School Transport Eligibility (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Connaughton: 316. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options in terms of school transport that are open to atheist families where the only secondary school in their catchment area is Roman Catholic where their children will be excluded from some religious school activities; if children from these families can avail of the nearest school transport to a secondary school that respects their...

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments (2 Jul 2013)

Paul Connaughton: 601. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of agri-environment option scheme 2, 2012 will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31795/13]