Results 10,161-10,180 of 19,162 for speaker:Alan Shatter

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The amendments from Deputies Mac Lochlainn and Collins relate to raising the value of the asset eligibility criteria to apply to debt relief notices. I explained at some length on Second Stage the concepts behind the debt relief notice. It provides for the write-off of unsecured debts of up to €20,000 subject to certain conditions. These conditions must of necessity be stringent so...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: It is my objective to have guidelines in place.

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am not sure what effect the proposed changes are designed to achieve in the context of the debt relief notice. The current provision is clear in its indication that it is the market value of an asset that is considered, irrespective of whether the asset in question is subject to any charge. In any event, given that the permitted qualifying asset level in this process is €400, I am...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I move amendment No. 23:In page 27, line 16, to delete "paragraph (c)(iii)" and substitute "paragraph (c)(ii)".This is a technical amendment to correct a cross-reference to section 24(6)(b)(ii).

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: This was an issue Members raised on Committee Stage, at which point I gave an undertaking to consider it for Report Stage. Deputy Niall Collins's amendment No. 24 raises the issue of a special exemption in the asset test for the debt relief notice in respect of books and materials for primary and second level students. I hope the Deputy will accept my proposal in amendment No. 30 which was...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I recall that this seemed to become the only issue that the media had any remote interest in, following the debate on Second Stage.

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Everything else disappeared in its entirety and this became the issue. I disagreed with Deputy Collins on Committee Stage for seeking to exempt from the debt relief notice asset test items of jewellery of ceremonial significance. I did so both on the basis that ceremonial significance is very difficult to discern, varying as it might from person to person. In addition, Deputy Collins did...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I thank Deputy Donnelly for his clear contribution and raise with the other two Deputies that they have made a very obscure contribution.

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: No one wants any individual to be in the circumstances in which he or she needs to use the debt relief notice mechanism in the first instance. Sadly, however, Members know that many people may need to resort to it. I must maintain a responsible balance between debtors and creditors. The media's concept of a creditor is of an evil financial institution that forced people to take money, that...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Is the Deputy?

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: It is safe, as the Fourth Estate have all departed.

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I will conclude by stating I will give further thought to this matter for the Seanad and can give the Deputy that assurance. However, I cannot accept the amendment he has tabled. If this is to be done and addressed, it is to be done at a value level for a single item and not on a general descriptive basis with the Minister having some broad discretion to announce a figure between one euro...

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I can assure the Deputy that I will consider the connectivity between the issues. While I am not stating categorically that I will do this, I will give it serious thought, now I finally have a figure to which Members on the other side of the House are agreeable and that may not be unreasonable in the overall context of what I am trying to achieve.

Personal Insolvency Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Amendments Nos. 26 and 27 are quite similar in seeking to raise the value in the context of the qualifying criteria.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Pay (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: Payments are made to members of the judiciary in respect of travel and subsistence necessarily incurred on court business. The cost is largely determined by the number and location of court sittings and the travelling expenses payable to judges cover the use of their own private car. In addition vouched costs may be claimed relating to judicial attire. Such expenses are paid exclusive of...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Refugee Status (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: In Ireland, the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended), the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006, the European Communities (Asylum Procedures) Regulations 2011 and the Refugee Act 1996 (Asylum Procedures) Regulations 2011 are the principal domestic legal instruments which reflect current national policy in the area of asylum. Asylum applications are not generally...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Departmental Expenditure (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I am advised that the number of Property Registration Authority (PRA) staff currently located in the in the Setanta Centre, Nassau Street is 84. The property is leased by the Office of Public Works (OPW) at a cost of €996,164 per annum. The lease for this accommodation expires in March 2013 and staff will have to be re-located before the expiry of the lease. The PRA has been in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Gender Recognition (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to PQ ref 38842/12 on this topic, answered on 18 September 2012, as follows: "I understand that discussions are still ongoing at European Commission level in relation to a proposal by Commission Vice-President Reding to strengthen the role of Women on Corporate Boards. A policy orientation discussion was held during the Danish Presidency and this was...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: The person in question has not yet lodged the necessary supporting documentation for their application with the Consulate General for Ireland in Manila. Until the signed Declaration, supporting documents and appropriate fee are lodged in the Consulate, the Visa application cannot be processed. However, given the circumstances of the case, I will arrange for the Consulate to be contacted by...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Visa Applications (6 Nov 2012)

Alan Shatter: I would refer the Deputy to my answers to previous Parliamentary Questions on this issue. My most recent reply to Parliamentary Question 42802/12 on 9 October last is reproduced for the Deputy's information. While I am not averse in principle to the establishment of an immigration regime specifically geared to the technology sector, it would have to be on the basis that there was concrete...