Results 15,061-15,080 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ministerial Responsibilities (8 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: It is important to make clear to the Deputy that any person who alleges criminal wrongdoing should, as a matter of course, immediately bring their concerns to An Garda Síochána in the first instance. I would however like to assure the Deputy that when a communication is addressed to me similar to the one described, that appropriate action is taken both at a Ministerial and official...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: I thank the Deputy for his question. There is no doubt that one of the harshest and dire consequences of the economic collapse from 2008 to 2011 was the indebtedness of many of our fellow citizens, particularly couples who could not afford to pay their mortgages. The Government has addressed this issue with the very strong assistance of the Central Bank. There has been agreement across the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: It is the clear objective of the Government that persons in mortgage distress should continue to live in the family home and that from the range of solutions available, solutions other than repossession should apply. It is also true that unless repossession is part of the legal system, there will be no mortgage market because nobody will lend unless there is legal potential to realise the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: While Ulster Bank is regulated by the Central Bank, we do not have a shareholding in it. We do, however, have 99% of the shares in AIB and 14% of the shares in Bank of Ireland. I read in this morning’s newspapers what the chief executive of Ulster Bank had said at the committee yesterday. It was not as blunt as Deputy Micheál Martin represented it. What he said was that the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am simply telling the Deputy what was reported. I assume it was an accurate report of the committee's proceedings.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: When the Deputy quotes people he should quote them in context and give the full quotation. Selectively quoting to make some kind of political point is not helpful.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: It is the Government's policy that people will continue to live in their family homes and that solutions other than repossession will be put in place. It is also our policy that the lending institutions that have entered into agreements with the Central Bank will keep those agreements and meet their targets. To date, they are doing so, and 54,000 permanent solutions have been offered. We...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: I assume that Bank of Ireland will appear before the committee in the coming days. The Deputy can raise his points directly with the representatives of the banks. I do not know whether the CEO will be appearing but if he is, I am sure he will be anxious to reply to the points raised. Bank salaries were capped at €500,000 by this Government. The arrangements for the CEO of Bank of...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: I replied to that question yesterday when I told the Deputy the position. I do not believe in gesture politics or idle symbolic gestures. The State has 14% of Bank of Ireland. How we vote on this issue at the AGM does not matter. It is going to go through anyway, and it sends a signal-----

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: The consideration I have to take into account is the kind of signal it would send to the wider investment community, which is anxious to invest in Ireland through the activities of the IDA and the purchase of property.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: It is an issue that has to be considered carefully and I do not want to do anything that would damage the reputation of Ireland internationally by seeming to interfere in a commercial entity. I will consider the Deputy's submission and let him know what we will do in due course.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: IBRC was liquidated by a special liquidator who was empowered to do so by special legislation that was brought through the Houses of the Oireachtas and the liquidator acted in accordance with that legislation. His primary mandate was to realise the best possible price for the assets he was disposing in the interests of the State and of the Irish taxpayer. In that context, he made a...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: Deputy Donnelly's strong advocacy illustrates one of the main problems with the approach taken by the generality of the Opposition to all these and related matters. Nobody stands up for the taxpayer anymore. Everybody stands up for the individual who has a difficulty. The proposition always being put is that the individual who has a difficulty must be relieved by taking funds from the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: It has been the position widely advocated on mortgage relief as well. The job of the liquidator is to ensure that he gets the best possible price for assets so that the taxpayer is not asked to contribute more to fill some kind of black hole-----

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: -----if the liquidation does not produce full value. That is the position. It is much easier to present the individual case, but there is a general case as well which I am obliged under law to protect, that is, the protection of the generality of taxpayers so they do not get another bill.

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: That is the nub of the position----

Leaders' Questions (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: -----and all the advocacy in the world will not remove that. The liquidator was independent in the exercise of his functions. Those who participated in the debate when we brought in the legislation were very anxious that there would be no political interference with the liquidator, and rightly so. The liquidator is carrying out his mandate in accordance with law. It is also true to say...

Order of Business (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: It is proposed to take No. 4, Central Bank Bill 2014 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 45, Wind Turbine Regulation Bill 2014 - Second Stage (Resumed), to conclude at 9 p.m. tonight, if not previously concluded. Tomorrow's business after Oral Questions shall be No. a1, Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill 2013 - Amendments from the Seanad; No. 3,...

Order of Business (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: I understand the Whips are meeting this afternoon and the item on universal health insurance is one of the items to be discussed. The likelihood is arrangements will be made to have a discussion next week. Regarding free GP care for those under six years of age, legislation is coming to Cabinet in the coming weeks and will provide a statutory basis for this. Myself and the Minister for...

Order of Business (9 Apr 2014)

Michael Noonan: The debate on the terms of reference of the Justice Fennelly inquiry will take place next week. The terms of reference will be presented in the House by way of a motion because the terms of reference need the approval of the House. I have no information that anyone in the State agencies which report to me is involved in the kind of malpractice Deputy Doherty describes. If it is illegal, it...