Results 1,801-1,820 of 1,981 for speaker:Conor Lenihan

Seanad: Competition (Amendment) Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank Senators for their kind assistance in getting this Bill through the House. I noted their many contributions on Second Stage.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank Senators for their many and considered contributions. I will attempt to respond to as many of the points raised by Senators as possible. Last January, the Minister for Finance announced the Government's decision to set up the two reviews and a statutory commission of inquiry to complete an expert, authoritative and structured examination of the financial crisis and its impact in...

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: It is not all the Government's fault. We had a different experience in Ireland which was compounded by our reliance on the receipts from the residential and commercial property boom. I am not shy about apologising for that. Our Government, which I have supported since 1997, was a factor and did contribute to that by failing to read the danger signals. I accept that. Some people maintain...

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Mistakes were made. The only thing I say by way of mitigation is that the same mistakes were made in many other counties throughout the world, including the powerhouse democracy and market economy of the world, the United States of America.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Let us be clear. I do not blame the United States but as the largest economy in the world it must take first responsibility for the causes of the collapse in its banking sector. It has been the trigger for all the other difficulties——

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: ——including those in Europe and in the Far East economies. If people wish to fly in the face of the facts, we should let them, but it is determined and clear that the US economy accounts for 35% of global or world GDP, a vast stake to have in global business, economic and capital movements. Let us consider the origins of capital which drive global economic activity at a world level....

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: In such cases when economic growth occurs there is a shortage of available zoned land to build houses. This has happened and there are parties which seek to have it both ways. Such parties seek more houses but not more rezoning for such houses. Thankfully, because of the surplus of property this will not be a problem in the short to medium term but it may be a problem in the Dublin area...

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: ——but that has not happened in Ireland.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: What is not creditworthy?

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Sorry. I did not hear what the Senator said.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: Let us be clear. Everybody, from Ministers, Deputies and Senators to ordinary members of the public, has made major adjustments because of the suddenness of the the recession.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I am not saying it is up to the Government to make such adjustments, although it has had to do so. Ordinary people have taken pay cuts, had to make adjustments to their lifestyles and managed to survive and come through. However, many have not and are now unemployed, but, thankfully, the level has peaked. We have turned the corner and now have an opportunity to look forward to a recovery...

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: There are a few other——

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I will not.

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: How much time do I have left?

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank Senators for their contributions. Senator Phelan is backing a particular horse in the race to find a successor to Deputy Kenny as leader of Fine Gael. Given that he has hitched his wagon to an economist, we can expect a more realistic and proper analysis——

Seanad: Banking Reports: Statements (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: ——of the Government's performance and the economy generally. The Opposition can and often does throw things out just to cause problems for the Government. However, we are going through a difficult time and we need honest and open commentary from the Opposition based on facts and not simple political assertion to achieve a result. The person the Senator is backing has a more modulated...

Seanad: Departmental Staff (15 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: I thank the Senator. His strong motivation and his background as a teacher have given him a great appreciation of educational values. I welcome the debate on the issue. I also welcome the opportunity, on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills, to outline the position regarding this matter. The JCSP has operated in schools nationally since 1996 as an...

Loan Guarantees (16 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: The low level stuff is all in Deputy Varadkar's party.

Written Answers — Enterprise Support Services: Enterprise Support Services (16 Jun 2010)

Conor Lenihan: The objective of the Innovation Voucher Initiative is to facilitate and encourage enterprises, in particular small enterprises, to engage in research or development by availing of the services available from research institutions. Through this initiative Irish companies are being supported to rapidly and effectively develop and commercialise new processes, products and services profitably....