Results 13,961-13,980 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I was interested to hear Deputy English refer to the former US President, Herbert Hoover, who is mentioned by other speakers in this House from time to time. It is worthwhile to note that his core, central decision after the great Wall Street collapse of 1929 was to let the United States banks collapse, which is what Fine Gael has advocated in recent years, and to default on the repayment of...
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: As a result of his decision to let the banks collapse during the Great Depression, by 1933 the US unemployment rate amounted to 33% of the total adult population. We decided not to do that, in the teeth of fairly heavy opposition from Fine Gael.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: A kind of economic literacy needs to be developed in this country. Glib references to Herbert Hoover should be discontinued because they do not address the core issues facing this country here and now.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to refer to the ultimate test of any Government. It is a pity this debate is taking place in a particular context. I refer to the internal convulsions in the main Opposition party and the publication of an important report that throws light on an important period in our national history. It is disappointing that this debate is taking place in that context because it will not get the...
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The ultimate test of any Government, in the context of the type of economic crisis we have had to deal with, is its ability to take decisive and courageous action, react rapidly in changing times, hold its nerve in the face of enormous domestic and international pressures and say "No" to sectional interests.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: Such a Government should have a determination to make difficult and unpopular but fair decisions in the teeth of opposition, should be able to communicate successfully the need for such decisions and should have the ability to lead citizens towards the common good. By any reckoning, this Government, led by the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, has passed those tests in response to the worst economic...
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: More especially, it has passed those tests by the reckoning of two men who, in the last week, have won the respect of all the Members of this House. Two days after the Leader of the Opposition tabled a motion of no confidence in the Government, Mr. Klaus Regling told an Oireachtas committee that "both of us have the view that crisis management here has been very good, particularly compared...
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputies might not like the massage, but they should have the courtesy to listen to it.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: They told the committee that "both of us have the view that crisis management here has been very good, particularly compared to some other countries in the European Union".
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: Mr. Regling continued: With the right policies there will no doubt be growth again. Incomes will again begin to go up. My firm view is that Ireland is not ruined. That is what was stated since this motion was tabled.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: Mr. Max Watson elaborated on that point at a press conference later that day, when he said that Ireland "got out in front" of the problem and was not consistently driven along by events. He suggested that some other countries reacted "slowly" to markets when they were trying to explain these matters to their populations. Mr. Watson said that by staying "ahead of the curve", Ireland has been...
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: This motion was tabled before the views of either of these gentlemen on their report, which purports to be the basis of the Opposition's charges, were listened to.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: These are the judgments of two independent experts whose report has been universally welcomed and whose findings have been accepted by the Government.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am happy to use the phrase "the leader of the principal Opposition party" if that satisfies Deputy McManus.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am reading from material. It is not a script.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will have noticed that I have not referred entirely to the material. Quite a few of my comments have been-----
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: I needed the material to be in a position to refer verbatim to certain quotations.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: These are the judgments of two independent experts whose report has been universally welcomed and whose findings have been accepted by the Government.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: We have responded firmly and decisively to the unfolding financial and fiscal crisis in the teeth of considerable opposition. The fiscal correction of 7.5% of GDP in the last two years has resulted in the stabilisation of the deficit.
- Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)
Brian Lenihan Jnr: The measures that were taken are working. There is a consensus that we will return to growth in the second part of this year. Some monthly economic indicators are already pointing towards growth. Consumer spending has improved and measures of business sentiment have moved into positive territory. That achievement is due in no small part to the efforts made by our citizens themselves-----