Results 8,181-8,200 of 9,393 for speaker:Alex White
- Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: The spring statement sets out a solid basis for continued and sustained recovery in personal incomes and public services over the coming years. It is a more open, transparent and rational approach to the budgetary process that is informed by best practice in countries such as France and Britain. By setting out the economic assumptions and fiscal parameters that will inform the budget...
- Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: Sinn Féin is the only party in the House that is implementing austerity measures this year. To name but two such measures it has introduced in the North, teacher numbers are being reduced by more than 2,000 and welfare benefits are being cut. Meanwhile, in the South the party expects people to believe the populist fantasy that one can have unlimited public spending while abolishing all...
- Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: Opposition parties must develop a particular skill. It is one which parties on this side had to practise when in opposition because it is part of the job of opposition. I refer to the need to point to Government decisions that have adverse effects on citizens.
- Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: I fully respect that this is part of the job of the Opposition, including Deputy Finian McGrath, and God knows, after the past seven or eight years, the list of issues the Opposition can raise or criticise is long. However, the job of the Opposition extends beyond listing a litany of criticisms. At some stage, it must tell us what it proposes to do. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien was getting...
- Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: Sinn Féin's sums will have to add up because they have not added up thus far. Sinn Féin Deputies become upset when its role in the North is raised. I will not make an apology for raising the North. Deputy Colreavy argued that Government Deputies raise the issue to derive political advantage, as if Sinn Féin did not seek to derive political advantage and press all the...
- Spring Economic Statement (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: It should start having a rational debate. Rather than pressing all the political buttons, as it does to great effect, it should take as long as it likes - six months if necessary - to think about this before coming to the House and showing some leadership and vision because these qualities have been spectacularly absent from the contributions of its Deputies to date.
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: The statement of Government priorities from 2014 to 2016 recognised that promoting and encouraging competition and new entrants in the banking sector were required to put downward pressure on interest rates for variable rate mortgage customers, both new and existing.
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: The mortgage interest rates that independent financial institutions operating in Ireland charge to customers are determined as a result of a commercial decision by the institutions concerned. The Minister for Finance and the Central Bank have no statutory role, as the Deputy is aware, in respect of the mortgage interest rates charged.
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: While the ECB base rate is a factor in determining those rates, a broad range of other factors, including deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment and the institutions' overall funding, are key determinants. The improvements in the overall economy, reduction in the cost of funds, increased demand and greater competition between lenders has led to a reduction in the...
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: As part of the Central Bank's work on mortgage arrears, lenders were asked to consider all avenues to help customers in arrears, including interest rate reductions. The regulation of interest rates remains a policy area under active review.
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: This has been the subject of correspondence between the Department of Finance and the Central Bank. The Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Bill 2015 will ensure that all mortgage holders will have the protection of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears and access to the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman. The actions already taken by the Government to...
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: The Deputy is well aware, and has not questioned what I stated, that there is no statutory power to direct a reduction in interest rates. If I am wrong in that, maybe the Deputy might correct me.
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: Or if he is proposing-----
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: He started off-----
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: Yes, but if you give me an opportunity-----
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: Absolutely.
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: Let me rephrase what I said-----
- Leaders' Questions (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: -----to assist the Deputy.
- Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: To assist in ensuring order in the House, I will not ask the Deputy any more questions. I can understand his aversion to being asked questions, whether it is about this issue, his party's economic policy or anything else. I will not ask him any more questions because I know he finds it difficult to address those issues.
- Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (30 Apr 2015)
Alex White: What I have said in response to the Deputy is true. He started off in an attempt to mollify me by accusing me of being intelligent. All I am saying is that he knows the Government has no statutory power to intervene in the way he seems to be suggesting. If he is proposing a change in the law, let us hear what he has to say. I realise there is a competitive tension between the two parties...