Results 21,381-21,400 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Banking Sector (10 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: 59. To ask the Minister for Finance the current value of the State's investments in AIB, Bank of Ireland and Permanent TSB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30661/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Medical Card Eligibility (10 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: 166. To ask the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who receives regular warfarin injections at their GP's surgery at a cost of €20 each time may receive these for free under the medical card scheme. [30443/14]

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: I concur with the Deputy. I understand that we will receive a note on these issues in advance of Report Stage

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: On that basis I withdraw my amendment.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 33: In page 41, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following:“38. The Minister shall, within 3 months of the enactment of this Act, lay before both Houses of the Oireachtas a report on measures that will be undertaken to protect vulnerable people from engaging in harmful gambling and the manner in which remote betting intermediaries must assist in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: I assume Deputy's Doherty's comments are correct and we are amending the principal Act from 1932. Why are we not tidying up an obvious issue that he has raised?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: I agree with Deputy Pearse Doherty who made a number of good points that need to be followed up on at a time when all the sporting bodies in the country are crying out for money. We all know of the positive benefits of young people especially being involved in sport. On the other hand we know of the negative consequences of people developing an unhealthy relationship with gambling. To my...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: This section amends the principal Act to provide that “a bookmaker’s licence shall, in addition to authorising the licensed bookmaker concerned to carry on the business of, and act as, a bookmaker, authorise that licensed bookmaker to accept bets by remote means, provided that the value of all such bets in any year does not exceed the lower of €250,000 or 10% of the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: Is it correct the fee for a remote bookmaker’s licence is €5,000?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: I do not know the business that well but if the margins are that tight then it would be hardly worthwhile for a bookmaker to accept telephone bets if his turnover was only €300,000. One might in fact be driving more people into online betting with such a low threshold. I just want to signal a possible Report Stage amendment and will examine this issue myself.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: The change in the opening hours is not the only consequence of the legislation. The main question about this legislation’s enactment is when can we start collecting the levy from online betting. It would be better if we could start that in July rather than in September.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: It is relevant to the question that has been asked about timing.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: Is there a loss of revenue by not passing the legislation in the Houses during the recess?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 8: In page 15, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following:“(c) the holder of the certificate failed to take adequate steps to prevent persons under the age of 18 undertaking betting transactions.".I am proposing to amend section 11 of the Bill by providing a further reason for the revocation of a certificate of personal fitness. The Minister of State will...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee Stage (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: I accept the Minister of State's explanation. I will withdraw the amendment.

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: Why is it not possible for the strategic investment fund to enter into an arrangement with local authorities or a State housing agency on commercial terms for the building of social housing? There is one consideration foremost in the mind of anyone looking to buy a commercial property or a residential property as an investment, that is, whether the owner will have tenants. There would be...

National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report Stage (Resumed) (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: When I was a child my family lived in a county council house. The reality is that the opportunity we had then is denied to many people nowadays. At the time my parents used a scheme to move on to private ownership and avail of a grant of £5,000. This was approximately 30 years ago. For them and for many others social housing became a steppingstone to private ownership. For other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Collapse of Setanta Insurance: Central Bank and Department of Finance (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: It is the Central Bank of Ireland's job to protect the interests of Irish policyholders. That is one of its functions, whereas protection of Irish consumers is not a priority for the Maltese authorities. The Central Bank had concerns about this company which were subsequently strengthened, yet no action was taken to alert consumers. Surely some of the losses that have arisen could have...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Collapse of Setanta Insurance: Central Bank and Department of Finance (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: Is it possible that, on the conclusion of the liquidation process and after other liabilities have been met, there will be little money left for claimants? What are the potential outcomes?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Collapse of Setanta Insurance: Central Bank and Department of Finance (9 Jul 2014)

Michael McGrath: The indications are that the liabilities exceed the assets. This is why Setanta Insurance is insolvent and has had to be liquidated. There is a significant shortfall, which means there will be a call on the insurance compensation fund.