Results 8,321-8,340 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Shannon-London connectivity has now been reopened.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A large number of constructive questions were asked and I appreciate the tone of the House at this time. I am not in a position to deal with all of the questions because so many were asked. To answer Deputy Barrett, we decided to use gross income as the basis of this measure and I will take his point about lending money to facilitate alternative energies. It is an important issue and I am...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, I am afraid not.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have not been apprised of it.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand the position it is not being paid.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not in a position to advise the House at this moment.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand it, no such payment is being made or envisaged. I will have to check out the position in some detail. I did not see the e-mail and if Deputy Rabbitte put me in possession of the e-mail I would be in a better position to comment on it. It has not been suggested to me over recent weeks that any pay rises are impending.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With regard to the banks, Deputy Michael D. Higgins referred to the Swedish example. I agree that the identification of the assets which are at risk is crucial to the determination and resolution of their problems. We have made progress on this through the work of the PricewaterhouseCoopers assessment of the exposures of the banks. We built on this with auctioneering advice. In the...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Discussions with the Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks are coming towards a conclusion and I anticipate decisions by the Government in this regard in a matter of days rather than weeks.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will examine this position. Particular cases will be brought up by Deputies and I am not in a position to provide a definitive answer today. I will examine the issue.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With regard to the Civil Service, I made clear that bonuses have been abolished and I will be in contact with the other bodies on this matter.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are no proposals before the Government on this at present. However, I am prepared to examine it as we move forward. I should close the debate at this stage because I am within my time.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Ceann Comhairle can correct me if I am not in order but I have allowed questions——

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——and I am entitled to reply to the debate.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: How long do I have to reply to the debate?

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will use those three minutes to reply to the debate and state that the discussions which took place were constructive and productive. In his line of questioning, Deputy Rabbitte mentioned a number of issues which were raised during the discussions and which the Government is open to discussing with the social partners in the context of the management of the very severe economic and...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——but it is one in which the public service can play a signal part in giving example to the rest of the community that in addressing our cost competitiveness, in being flexible in our work patterns in giving more for less pay and in working for this country and this nation we can address the very serious economic and financial circumstances which face us. Those serious financial and...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——with the protection——

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I said "successive Governments" of all colours.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy McCormack's party was in office. I am sure Deputy Burton and Deputy Bruton will remind Deputy McCormack that he was in office for a number of years during which time the Government took good steps with regard to our participation in the eurozone.