Results 2,081-2,100 of 23,109 for speaker:Paddy Burke

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: Dr. Roux said earlier that the bank cannot advise shareholders what to do, but in that way the shareholders can accumulate losses. At what stage does the bank intervene and point out that they are trading recklessly, if they are racking up many losses? Does it issue warnings and has it imposed sanctions on companies? At what stage does it intervene to point out that they are trading recklessly?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: There is no urgency about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: All the bank's interactions result in an increase in premiums. I would not say that any of them result in a decrease. The bank is always imposing extra responsibility on companies and further restrictions, which all add to their costs. The Central Bank is always placing extra responsibility on companies and imposing further restrictions which all add to the cost and which invariably lead to...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: In April, the Minister for Finance said the legal profession has been a major factor in the increase in insurance premiums. That was refuted here by the legal professions when its representatives came before the committee. The Central Bank has expressed no view on the part played by the legal fraternity in claims and so forth. Does Dr. Roux have a view on it? Are they too expensive?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: If Dr. Roux is no better informed than I, then the Central Bank would be as well to close up shop altogether. I am not well informed at all.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: The Central Bank seems to be turning a blind eye to the legal profession.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: Insurance levies are imposed on ordinary premium payers. Does the Central Bank advise the Government or the Minister for Finance on the levies to be introduced? Does it discuss that with the Department of Finance? How is it negotiated?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: The road hauliers were before the committee. They outlined a particular problem. Many of them may have to re-flag in the United Kingdom or somewhere else because of the high cost of insurance. What is the response of Dr. Roux to Brexit? What does he believe will happen to the insurance business? Does he have a view?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: Most of those firms are UK-based. Does Dr. Roux believe there should be an EU presence here? Is the Central Bank courting any EU companies that could have a presence in Ireland?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: Deputy Pearse Doherty referred to insurance companies and how they invest their reserves. Some concern has been expressed about the banking sector throughout the world. Does Dr. Roux have any concerns about insurance firms and where they invest their reserves in respect of the banks? Some of them are looking for growth and buying junk bonds to a great degree. This could destabilise the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Rising Costs of Motor Insurance: Discussion (Resumed) (6 Oct 2016)

Paddy Burke: Can the Central Bank advise some of those companies on where they may have their reserves invested and whether they may be at risk? Does the bank have concerns about where they have invested?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: I welcome the delegation. Will the Minister advise if the Office of Public Works has a plan for the future? There are many projects in the pipeline and new towns are being included every year as there seems to be more and different areas of flooding every year. Has he taken the impact of climate change into account? For example, what plan does the OPW have for the next 20 years during...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: The OPW will be seeking a bigger budget every year to be able to implement this plan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: With the spending of €50 million this year and €100 million next year, how does the Minister of State gauge the success of the expenditure on the schemes that have been completed?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: Expenditure is being cranked up with the allocation of €50 million this year and €100 million next year. Many agencies are involved, including the OPW, the local authorities, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, fisheries boards and so on. Would it better if one agency, which could get advice from the other agencies, had responsibility for the carrying out of the work?...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: With regard to overgrowth in lakes, there is an annual cutting programme in place for some lakes. That is the case with regard to Lough Lannagh, Lough Bilberry and the Castlebar lakes. Other than the annual cutting, is there any other process the OPW is considering with regard to bringing those lakes backs back to full life or to get rid of the vicious growth on them?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2016: Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (29 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: With regard to overgrowth in lakes, other than the annual cutting of the weed in those lakes, are there any other plans to clear them of the weed that grows on them?

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to come to this House for a debate on hedge-cutting. There have been more fatalities on the roads this year than there were in other years. The Minister should consider bringing forward the date on which hedge-cutting can commence from the current date in September.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Sep 2016)

Paddy Burke: I think it should be brought forward to August. Children now go back to school in August, which is earlier than they used to go back to school. This year, there was much more rapid growth in August than there was in other years. I think the Minister has to look at this from a road safety point of view. There is a need for better co-ordination between local authorities and the ESB and the...