Results 22,561-22,580 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: The betting (amendment) Bill was first published in July 2012. It was republished this summer. Clearly, there is a significant delay in bringing it forward. The Bill deals with applying taxes to online betting, an issue which is obviously posing logistical difficulties, but it is preventing the State from recouping significant moneys. When will the Bill be brought forward?

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Was what happened in Enniskillen the same?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: But they will need a tax liability.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: We had a good debate on this issue on Committee Stage when I also tabled an amendment on this issue. While I accept the need to introduce a threshold, the current threshold is high. A more fundamental point about the incentive scheme is, because the Minister is doing it through the income tax system, somebody must have an income tax liability in the first place against which to offset this...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: The word "situate" as opposed to "situated" is correct.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: It does not look right.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: No, I did not.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I support the principle Deputy Doherty seeks to establish here. I believe it is irrelevant whether the adaptation works required to be carried out to meet the needs of a person with a disability are in respect of a new home or a second hand home. The spirit of the amendment provides that in either case, the situation would be accommodated and the incentive would apply. On a related point,...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Boyd Richard Barrett will have 13 out of 14 amendments ruled out of order.

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: The principle that each person is entitled to one free copy of his or her credit history per annum is agreed. The only point of difference between the Minister of State and Deputy Doherty is whether that statement is issued automatically or on request, and I believe that on request is fine. I do not see a need for automatic issuing of a statement every year. I wish to ask the Minister...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: On a related point, when the Government is embarking on the public information campaign, it is important that it make clear to people how long the information will be held for. A period of five is specified in the legislation but if a black mark is registered against people on the credit register, they must understand that it is not there indefinitely. This is related to the point about an...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I accept the substance of what he said on executors. In essence, he said there is an absolute veil of confidentiality for every individual concerning the private record that is held on the register for guarantors and spouses. That could throw up potential issues down the line - for example, where a person incurs debts where there is joint...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Is there an anti-avoidance provision with regard to the application of the €2,000 threshold? If a licensed moneylender provides multiple loans of perhaps €500 in a short period with a cumulative value of more than €2,000, is there a measure to deal with it?

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 6:In page 16, between lines 9 and 10, to insert the following:“15. Information contained on the register in relation to a credit information subject who is an individual shall be accessible by such individual’s spouse, guarantors and executors in circumstances where such spouse, guarantors and executors have a reasonable entitlement to such...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I do not think we will reach agreement on this issue. I agree with the Minister of State that the most important point is to get the register in place. It is a welcome development and an important step, both for borrowers and lenders, to have a register that has a statutory base and to which all creditors, essentially all financial institutions, are required to submit information. However,...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 2:In page 12, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: "(2) The cost of amending any inaccurate or incomplete information detected in the Register shall be borne by the relevant financial institution and not the individual about whom the information concerns.".This amendment is to ensure that the cost of amending any or incomplete information detected in the...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Essentially, the Minister of State is giving an assurance that he does not envisage any circumstances where individuals would be charged for corrections having to be made to their record. If that is his understanding of the Bill, I would be happy to withdraw the amendment.

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 3:In page 13, between lines 46 and 47, to insert the following: "(2) Financial institutions that contribute to the Register shall be required to satisfy the Regulator that the procedures of such financial institutions, for cross referencing and verification of data, are fit for purpose.".Amendment No. 3 requires that financial institutions contributing to the register...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Report and Final Stages (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 4:In page 15, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: "14. (1) Licensed moneylenders shall be required to consult the Register before providing a loan in excess of €500.".Amendment No. 4 requires licensed moneylenders in the State to consult the new credit register before providing a loan in excess of €500. This is an important amendment. The...

Credit Reporting Bill 2012: Instruction to Committee (3 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: As this is a technical motion to correct a drafting error, I do not have any difficult with it.