Results 1,081-1,100 of 1,591 for speaker:Eugene Regan

Seanad: Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: The figures were selected to suit the conclusions. That is rather shocking.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: I wish to highlight two issues in regard to the NAMA debate and put a question to the Leader. While we are none the wiser with regard to much of the detail of the Bill, the presence of various Ministers in the House yesterday showed up some extraordinary differences of views within the Government.

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: We had an answer indicating that NAMA would not make a profit. When I challenged the Minister in question on that point by noting that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, was proud to project that it would make a net profit of €4.8 billion over the ten years-----

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: -----he said it was not definite it would make a profit. I find this extraordinary and believe it shows up the unreality of the business plan which the Government brought forward only weeks ago. I ask the Leader to clarify the point. Is it the view of the Government that NAMA will not make a profit over the ten-year period or is it that it will make this extraordinary projected net profit...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: However, I welcome one thing that has emerged from the debate, namely, the clarification from the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, that whatever we decide has to be formally notified to the European Commission. All of the assumptions, valuations and haircuts will be examined and vetted by the Commission under its state aid rules and nothing can happen or go ahead until the European Union...

Seanad: Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: Senator Bacik wishes to make a point of order.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: It is an interesting provision. We are discussing delegated legislation and it underscores the importance of compliance with EU state aid and competition law. We received confirmation from the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, yesterday that all the valuation methods, the figure calculations and the assumptions must be verified by the European Commission and approved before this scheme...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: I want to make one or two points on the section but I want to make a preliminary remark in regard to what Senator Harris said earlier. Senator Harris has crossed the floor of the House to the Independent benches but he is a most effective apologist for Fianna Fáil and what the Government is doing both in this-----

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: Please Senator.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: We dress up the defence of the Government but I must take issue with the criticism Senator Harris made of the business plan. In the debate last night a Minister said that the Minister, Deputy Lenihan, never said that NAMA would definitely make a profit yet we have a business plan which suggests a net profit of €5.48 billion over the ten years. Senator Harris is saying it is not relevant...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: -----and that it is not relevant whether it makes a profit or not.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: It is fundamental. We may not vet it in this House but they will vet it in the European Commission when the Government gets around to trying to sell this.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: The word "may" in a Bill can mean "shall" but in this instance it does not. I suggest the Minister could cut short the debate on this entire section by changing the word "may" to "shall". I understood this was part of the undertaking given to the Green Party and part of the Government-Green Party new deal that there were to be commitments on lending. This was a watered down version of that...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: No, as Senator O'Toole explained.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (11 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: On rezoning and categories of land use, did the Minister say one could not rezone land back to agricultural use if it had already been zoned for residential or development purposes?

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: We have established the European Commission must be notified of the NAMA project. Whether it takes two or six months before it approves or attaches conditions to the project remains to be seen. Will we know what is notified to the European Commission? The Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, ditched the business plan which we were led to believe underpinned the project and provided the...

Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: A serious issue arises from statements made by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, in respect of pensions and possible measures to be introduced in the December budget, namely, the retirement of an extraordinary number of senior members of the Garda Síochána. Seven hundred and eight members of the force have retired so far this year by comparison with 243 last year. This is a...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: Specifying in detail the authority of the holding area officer and the garda in charge is most important; therefore, I understand the Minister's motivation behind these amendments, with which I have no difficulty in principle. The issues referred to by Senator Bacik are dealt with in her amendment. These amendments do not alter in any way the responsibilities of the Garda Síochána or a...

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: As I have the same question, I will await the Minister of State's response.

Seanad: Courts and Court Officers Bill 2009: Committee Stage (12 Nov 2009)

Eugene Regan: In light of the Minister of State's explanation and reading section 7 in conjunction with section 6(2), it appears the person will be a person who is lawfully in the custody of the Garda Síochána. I am satisfied, therefore, that the intention behind the legislation is clear.