Results 12,081-12,100 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Yes, this year. The Deputy will be aware that the Central Bank interest rate arrangement is slightly less than 1%. The balance between the 1% and 3% to 3.5%, which will be profits, will be returned by the Central Bank to the Exchequer. The net effect is as stated. This is a basket of bonds, the average duration of which is 34.5 years, and €1 billion off the deficit. In terms of...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On the June deal, it is important it is not seen as a type of gift from on high. The June deal was achieved because we worked for it. The Deputy will be aware that Ireland was one of the few states which, in the early part of the discussions with its European partners, argued strongly for a change of European policy in respect of bank debt. We secured that change in European policy at the...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: On 2 February 2011 a press release was issued by Fianna Fáil stating its leader, Micheál Martin, stated the Labour Party must stop pretending Ireland can renegotiate the terms of the IMF-EU rescue deal.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Now we know.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The promissory note is in effect sovereign debt and the State was made responsible for bank debt by a decision made by the previous Government in 2008 which Sinn Féin supported. Sinn Féin's spokesperson in the Dáil that night was Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who described what the Fianna Fáil Government was doing as a courageous response. Deputy Adams's...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Let us be clear about where Sinn Féin is coming from.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: This is from the Dáil record.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: There are many things Sinn Féin can censor but it cannot censor the Dáil record. It is here for all time. Deputy Adams's party was an enthusiast for tying the bank debt to the sovereign in 2008. The Government has been working since we came into office to separate it. It is not easy. There are different elements to it. We have secured an agreement at European level on the...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: In fairness to Deputy Adams, he has a very difficult job to try to construct some way of finding a flaw in what has been negotiated with the ECB.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: By any standards an agreement that reduces our borrowing requirement by €20 billion over the next ten years-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I am answering the question. The Deputy asked where is the benefit to the people. The benefit is that first, there is no longer a requirement to pay €3.1 billion of taxpayers' hard-earned money on 31 March this year and on 31 March every year for the next eight years.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: The second benefit is that the deficit, which is very difficult, is to be reduced by €1 billion. That will have a tangible benefit in terms of the budgetary decisions that we have to make. Third, it will reduce the debt burden on the Irish people and will help this country to recover. Deputy Adams said that we have to tell it straight. There is no way of coming in with a magic...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We did not, actually. I am glad that Deputy Adams made that point because we did not say that. I want to correct that point and I am glad that Deputy Adams has given me the opportunity of doing so. From the very beginning of the crisis at the time of the bank debt, we were often asked whether we would default or refuse to pay if we were in government. We always said we cannot default, we...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We have renegotiated. We have significantly improved the terms of the promissory note. It does not have to be paid every year. It has been converted into a long-term bond, which will reduce our borrowing requirement by €20 billion and takes €1 billion or 0.6% off our deficit. By any standards that is a good agreement.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Halligan referred to the last government and the difference is this - the last government saddled the Irish people with the debts of the banks; this Government is renegotiating and easing the debt burden on the people. As regards going to the people, we did so two years ago in a general election. We went to the country on a commitment that we would renegotiate the terms of the deal....

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: We are making progress along a number of dimensions. First, by any standards, what has been agreed today is hugely significant. The toxic bank that has been at the heart of the crisis - Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Nationwide in the form of the IBRC - is no more. We have liquidated that. The €3.1 billion promissory note that was to be paid every March, no longer has to be paid. On...

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: Let me correct one point at the outset. Greece did not receive a write-down of sovereign debt.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: No, it did not. It did not get a write-down of sovereign debt. Members should at least have a factual discussion.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I agree with one point made by Deputy Halligan.

Leaders' Questions (7 Feb 2013)

Eamon Gilmore: I did state repeatedly that what happened in this country was unjust and unfair. Moreover, I still believe that and still think that. I refer to the extent to which the Irish people, working people and Irish taxpayers, have been saddled with the burden of the bad policy decisions that were made-----