Results 13,981-14,000 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: The issue of how NAMA conducted its business is very clear. That has been overseen and supervised by the Committee of Public Accounts and the Comptroller and Auditor General has somebody embedded in NAMA. NAMA's board is appointed by the Oireachtas to get best value and to have this level of Oireachtas oversight. We have a unique level of Oireachtas oversight with respect to this body and...
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: I do not accept that. We, as an Oireachtas, set up the asset management agency to recover maximum value for the Exchequer.
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: We put in place a board, chaired by the former chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, to conduct that business and it had a very clear mandate to deliver best value. It was not told how to conduct its sales or whether they should be done individually or bundled: it was told to secure best value. It was also to be overseen by the Oireachtas, via the Comptroller and Auditor General and...
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: I do not accept what the Deputy is saying. The Minister for Finance was informed that the board of NAMA had decided that the company that had this compliance problem should not participate. It was debarred. It was not the case, as Deputy Adams is trying to suggest to the House, that the Minister allowed this to go ahead despite such players being involved.
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: They were deliberately excluded from the process.
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: Further, the successful bidder at the end of the process was asked to give an undertaking and that undertaking was given. I have the text of it:We confirm that no fee, commission, or other remuneration or payment is payable to any current or former member of the board of the National Asset Management Agency, any current or former member of the executive of NAMA, or any current or former...
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: -----that are in an account and that are due to be paid, but those matters are being investigated by the Law Society and by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: It is not the case, as Deputy Adams seeks to suggest, that NAMA, which is now proceeding to dispose of its assets, has been found wanting in this. NAMA conducted itself in a proper way. It was found to have dealt with this in a proper way. It is answerable to the PAC and is happy to go before the PAC on Thursday to account for its stewardship. That is how this matter should be dealt with....
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: That is the way we should proceed with our business.
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: I certainly do but I would also say there is tangible improvement occurring. There are now 105,000 more people at work since we started the Action Plan for Jobs. That is 105,000 people's lives back on track. It is also 105,000 people who are contributing on average €20,000 per year into the Exchequer in terms of savings, which amounts to €2 billion available to the Exchequer...
- Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: I agree we can always refine the measures. The measure that struck me most dramatically from my recent reading of the poverty report was the dramatic reduction of poverty for people who go back to work. The risk of poverty is seven times higher if one is out of work than if one is in work. The progress that the strategy has delivered, through Pathways to Work and Action Plan for Jobs, to...
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: It is proposed to take No. 11, motion re membership of committees; No. 12, motion re Statement of Estimates for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission; No. 36, Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill 2015 - Second Stage, resumed; and No. 37, Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: the...
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: Deputy Martin, who has been in the House for a long time, knows that-----
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: -----the membership of committees reflects the parties' strength within the Parliament. It is only fair that people who are on a committee represent the party that appointed them. This is in accordance with long-established procedures.
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: I am informed that, on Second Stage, six hours of debate were devoted to this Bill. It has been well ventilated in the House. Indeed, towards the end of that debate, there was difficulty getting speakers-----
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: -----and quorums were being called to continue it. A Government must govern. If parties decide to try to block legislation, the Government must eventually make a decision. The subject matter of the Bill came from the Law Reform Commission and there is broad support for ending the imprisonment of people for debts of this nature. It is sensible legislation and should progress to Committee...
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: To be fair, we are seeing a progressive improvement in the way the health service is being managed.
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: In the past 12 months, an extra 1,000 people have been employed in the health service and 200 extra beds have been opened. There is an increase in the number of people being treated in our hospitals. Undoubtedly there is pressure on our hospital beds, but there is a response. The waiting times in the hospitals are down on what they were in February, so we are making progress.
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: However, we must be realistic and recognise that part of the change that is necessary for reform is to get better access at primary level. One of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar's priorities is to open up access-----
- Order of Business (7 Jul 2015)
Richard Bruton: -----to primary care to a wider range of people.