Results 1,801-1,820 of 2,725 for speaker:Paul Gogarty

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: We are not going to do that. The right thing is to try to do right by the taxpayer and minimise the risk as much as possible. It gladdens my heart to have a former member of the Oireachtas, a Progressive Democrat, former Minister of State, Tom Parlon, criticise some of the achievements of the Green Party in respect of NAMA and related legislation.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Anyone who is an enemy of Tom Parlon is a friend of mine and that is why I am supporting this legislation. Let us come now to the Fine Gael proposal. Fine Gael has proposed the establishment of a good bank which, unfortunately, will not get the assets required to make it work. The magic bank proposed by Fine Gael should be able to borrow from the European Central Bank but the assets have...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Fine Gael also suggests we wait another year, until October 2010, when the bank guarantee scheme has expired.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: The process will begin as soon as the legislation is passed whereas under the Fine Gael proposal, it will not begin for a year. Such uncertainty cannot be tolerated. We may not have an economy in 12 months time if we do not set this process in train as soon as possible. Deputies Durkan, Lee, Burton and others made valid points in regard to the risks associated with this plan. Nobody denies...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Those stamp duty receipts were squandered. There were some significant achievements during the ten years of the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government but there were many follies too. Instead of dwelling on the past, the Government must proceed with clearing up the mess, hopefully with the constructive support of the Opposition. That is what we are trying to do by, for example,...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: The Minister for Finance indicated yesterday that schools, community organisations, sports clubs, voluntary housing organisations and others may be able to access NAMA land at reasonable rates. I would go further and argue that where the land was rezoned foolishly merely to fill the back pockets of a particular land owner or developer and is now worthless, that land should be handed over to...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: My party argued for strategic development zones for a long time.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: We had to wait a long time for that. Another initiative we prioritised soon after entering government was the establishment of a developing areas unit and the development of guidelines for local authorities to ensure provision would be made for schools as part of any residential development. These were incorporated not only into strategic development zones but also local area plans....

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: In many such cases they were provided with a sweetener attached.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: I take the Deputy's point and do not disagree with it in general. I am merely pointing out the reality in some areas. In regard to NAMA, there will always be something of a guessing game in regard to the valuation issue, and there has been much talk of risk-sharing. The estimated valuation draw-down has been put at €47 billion, with the €54 billion being paid representing a premium of...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Second Stage (Resumed) (17 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Somebody has to foot the bill, and unfortunately it is the taxpayer who must do so. However, if implemented correctly, NAMA is probably the least costly option and we may even get some money back.

Written Answers — Student Support Schemes: Student Support Schemes (23 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 182: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he will explain the delay in progressing the Student Support Services Bill 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32665/09]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 47: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on removing the high level of VAT from motorcycle safety equipment and other safety equipment, in view of the fact that this encourages the purchase of cheaper, lower quality equipment from abroad, or discourages the usage of non-obligatory safety equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32791/09]

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (6 Oct 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 690: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [33293/09]

Order of Business (7 Oct 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Appoint Deputy Emmet Stagg.

Written Answers — Food Labelling: Food Labelling (13 Oct 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 135: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the health issues surrounding hydrogenated vegetable oils in the food industry and that certain states in the US are phasing them out due to the high risk of cardiovascular disease and other health implications associated with these oils; her policy and that of the EU which exists regarding trans...

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (13 Oct 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 164: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, during 2008 annual general meeting of the International Adoption Agency, or at any stage around that time, she had contact (details supplied) with the director of the Department of International Adoption within the Vietnamese Government; the issues which were discussed; the reason moves to arrange a new bilateral agreement could...

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (13 Oct 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 165: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that contrary to UN reports there is no evidence that an agency (details supplied) is involved in or is being investigated for improper behaviour in terms of its dealings with Vietnamese agencies or the children being adopted by Irish parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35438/09]

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (13 Oct 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 166: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will elaborate her concerns regarding the treatment of children in Vietnam, as outlined in UN reports, that are contributing to delays in the final signing off on an agreement between Ireland and Vietnam regarding the adoption of Vietnamese children by Irish parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35439/09]

Written Answers — Foreign Adoptions: Foreign Adoptions (13 Oct 2009)

Paul Gogarty: Question 167: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans to provide financial assistance to parents seeking to adopt children internationally in view of the high costs and long timeframe involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35440/09]