Results 11,921-11,940 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Lending (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: The problem is a lack of supply.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Lending (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: Homes are not being built.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Operations (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 4. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on restrictions being placed on bank customers in relation to branch cash lodgements and withdrawals; if the Consumer Protection Code will be reviewed in relation to provision of services in branches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40510/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Operations (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I raise the matter of the changes to in-branch services announced by Bank of Ireland earlier this month, in particular the minimum withdrawal of €700 and the minimum lodgement over the counter of €3,000. The Minister made a statement at the time that he felt the changes were surprising and unnecessary and Bank of Ireland did something of a U-turn. However, the exact position...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Operations (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. To its credit, Bank of Ireland has maintained its branch network nationally. However, if changes like this take hold, the role of the branch will diminish over time. All that will be left in branches will be back-office staff and the role of the branch in rural and local communities will come increasingly under question. I am still not clear as to what...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Operations (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. I have written directly to the Central Bank on the issue and I await a reply from Mr. Bernard Sheridan, the consumer director. I have raised these concerns directly with him because it is principally a matter for the Central Bank. However, we are far from being a cashless society. There are still State services that one must pay for with cash. The...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Operations (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I have.

Other Questions: EU Membership (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 6. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the economic implications for Ireland of a potential exit by the United Kingdom from the European Union; how this impact would be mitigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40355/15]

Other Questions: EU Membership (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I raise the issue of the potential exit of Britain from the European Union. Whether we think this is likely or very unlikely, we certainly need to plan for the scenario, given the implications it would inevitably have for Ireland, particularly for the free movement of people and free trade currently provided for within the European Union. It would have serious economic consequences for...

Other Questions: EU Membership (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I agree with the Minister's assertion that we need to be actively involved in the process under way between the British Government and the European Union. We should be doing so on the basis that we are actively working towards keeping Britain in the European Union. The reality is we are economically interdependent and our interests are inextricably linked. That is borne out by the trade...

Other Questions: EU Membership (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I agree the more likely scenario is a changed relationship between Britain and the European Union and that an accommodation will be reached. Ireland must be actively engaged in that process at European Council level, supporting the position of the British Government where we believe it is in our interests to do so. We may not agree with it on all of the issues being raised, but our...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Assets Sale (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 11. To ask the Minister for Finance the remaining assets the National Asset Management Agency has to dispose of, when it will conclude its mandate; the general strategy it will employ in its wind-down process; the expected overall outcome of its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40353/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions Regulation (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 14. To ask the Minister for Finance when the regulations set out in the Central Bank of Ireland Consultation Paper 88 will be introduced; when the remaining sections of the Credit Union Act 2012 will be implemented; if he will delay the introduction of these measures, including the €100,000 cap on the savings of credit unions, pending a consultation with industry stakeholders on their...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Costs (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 15. To ask the Minister for Finance his views that the regulatory model has contributed to recent difficulties in the insurance sector; the actions he will take to deal with soaring motor insurance costs; if he will establish a task force to deal with insurance costs, given the success of this approach in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40354/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Banking Sector (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 16. To ask the Minister for Finance how the State will maximise the proceeds from a future disposal of Allied Irish Banks; how these proceeds will be deployed; his views on the comments by the Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Mr. Patrick Honohan, on the lack of competition in the Irish banking sector; if this will influence the sale process for Allied Irish Banks; and if he will make...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: What is the expectation for the additional research and development activity this will generate over time? The Minister of State has put a cost on the introduction of the knowledge development box of €50 million in a full year, which presumably means that some of the profits currently taxed at 12.5% will be taxed at 6.25% when the knowledge development box is implemented. For me, the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: Fianna Fáil holds a different view to Sinn Féin on this issue. Ireland is competing with other countries, the UK in particular, for high potential start-ups and this is an issue in that regard. It has been raised by technology entrepreneurs in particular. These people are highly mobile and can decide to start or grow their business in any jurisdiction. The regime being...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 65:In page 72, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following:"48. The Minister shall, within nine months from the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the difficulties facing the independent Off Licence sector, including the issue of the importation of alcohol for direct sales to consumers online and measures within the tax code...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 66:In page 72, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:"Value-Added Tax in respect of Charities 49. The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the potential introduction of a capped Value-Added Tax compensation scheme for charities.". The Minister is quite familiar with the impact of...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2015: Committee Stage (Resumed) (18 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for the reply and I welcome the fact that the report was prepared. The Minister seems to have concluded his own deliberations on the matter but he might clarify if the report is still under consideration. Has the Minister reached the conclusion that this does not warrant any change to the VAT system? It is important to establish the view of the Department and the...