Results 17,581-17,600 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Welfare (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: 446. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to improve the legislative framework for animal welfare and to ensure better enforcement of existing legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31391/18]

Written Answers — Department of Rural and Community Development: Dog Breeding Industry (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: 527. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to carry out a review of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 to assess its effectiveness and to consider if it needs to be strengthened further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31392/18]

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the Minister and his officials. I thank him for abbreviating the opening statement. I will pick up on one point he mentioned, which he also mentioned in answer to oral questions. On forecasting, in the budget the Minister will project over a five-year period, to 2023. Is that right? There will be fiscal and economic projections which will encompass the full suite of...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: I will be brief. If it can be quick-fire, over and back, I will be happy to deal with it in that way. In terms of the fiscal stance next year, the Minister set out in his opening statement that if he had made the choice to spend the extra €900 million within the expenditure benchmark, as well as the figure of €500 million, the headline deficit would be 0.6% and the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: Why? Is it because we are not reducing towards the MTO?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: With regard to the MTO in the current year, the estimate is 0.9%. That is due to the spike in GDP in 2017 and the figure of 7.8% for contract manufacturing-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: Does the Minister anticipate a recurrence in the current year? Corporate tax receipts are again quite strong.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: The Minister is looking at a significant increase in capital expenditure to about €7.3 billion of gross voted capital expenditure next year, which figure includes a €500 million increase for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. What is the overall allocation for housing within the figure of €7.3 billion? Does the Minister have details of what will...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Summer Economic Statement: Discussion (11 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: In the Minister's concluding remarks he identified some of the principal risks. The three he identified were Brexit, changes to the international corporate tax landscape and possible disruptions to the global trading system. From his perspective as Minister for Finance and the overall guardian of the economy, does he regard them as the top three risks we face as a country? We are all aware...

Fossil Fuel Divestment Bill 2016: Report and Final Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: This is a significant amendment which essentially rewrites the Bill's objectives and what we are hoping to achieve. The amendment reflects the very good debate we had on Committee Stage where we tried to tease out the key issues to make sure the Bill is workable. It is not just symbolic, or gesture politics, it has real meaning and will make a difference, albeit a modest one, but it is an...

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: This might provide the opportunity for the Minister of State to address some of the points made on Second Stage. Will the Minister of State clarify why he is going for an additional new fund, as opposed to extra contributions going into the existing insurance compensation fund, ICF? We are setting up a motor insurers insolvency compensation fund but will the Minister of State explain the...

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: That is the 2% level.

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: I wish to rationalise those numbers. My understanding is that the new levy applies to gross written motor premiums. Therefore, the insurance compensation fund, ICF, levy is for all non-life policies. In effect, the Minister of State is saying, broadly speaking, that the amount to be applied to motor premiums accounts for approximately half of the non-life insurance book. According to the...

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: I wish to ask the Minister of State about the application of this section to Setanta Insurance and the associated outstanding claims. As the Minister of State is aware, more than 1,500 active claims remain arising from the collapse of that company four years ago. Will the Minister of State provide some clarity for the people who were caught up in that and who are involved in those...

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: Yes, the third-party claimant will get full settlement. Will the Minister of State clarify whether that distinction applies in the outstanding claims in Setanta, but that they will be made at 100%, and the distinction between first and third party does not apply to those?

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: Under ICF it is at 65% or €825,000.

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: Therefore, they do not have full coverage, but they are moving-----

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: They are moving to full coverage but first-party claims are not moving to full coverage.

Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (12 Jul 2018)

Michael McGrath: A difference is being introduced between the two which is not there currently.