Results 2,281-2,300 of 4,700 for speaker:Noel Ahern

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: When we changed the tax rules in the wake of one of the Bacon reports rents went through the roof. A fine balance has to be struck between the rental market and first-time buyers. Some people have made obscene profits in recent times. If a bit of sense enters the housing market those people might be hurt but that is the game they are in. When they are winning they do well——

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: They will not get it from me. We are simply providing options. On the point regarding credit unions, it might seem strange that building society legislation comes under the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as the Department mainly deals with social and affordable housing, and trying to encourage the private market. This is a throwback to earlier years, when the...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: The amendments are not necessary and do not add to the Bill. The Bill provides additional options for building societies to demutualise. It has been drafted in a way that ensures there is a transparent framework for conversions under the 1989 Act, which is being maintained. Appropriate controls are in place and the rigorous framework for conversions already exists. It is not necessary to...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: No, I said at the start that I was not.

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Committee and Remaining Stages. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I am sorry to disappoint the Senator. We have considered them. Everything is worthy of consideration, but it is not intended to accept them. We do not believe they add anything to the Bill. I have outlined the process that exists. It may well be that this is how they do it in other countries. I do not mind looking at how it is done in other countries, but it does not mean we have to imitate...

Seanad: Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (6 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: The purpose of this Bill is to amend and update certain provisions of building societies legislation, contained mainly in the Building Societies Act 1989. The Bill is based, to a large extent, on reform proposals from an expert review group which comprised representatives of the relevant Departments, the Financial Regulator and the three building societies. It recommended that any building...

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank the Members for their views and comments, particularly Deputy O'Dowd who supported the principle of the Bill. It is a while since the question of the Bill was first raised and it has been discussed on and off for a number of years, but that does not mean it was drawn up in a day. There was a long process involving the Attorney General, Departments and the Financial Regulator, but it...

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I thank Members for their views. I understand the Whips agreed to let the Bill pass tonight and I thank the parties for their co-operation in that regard. I accept the points made that Members would like more time, but so be it.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The purpose of the Bill is to amend and update certain provisions of building societies legislation contained mainly in the Building Societies Act 1989. The Bill is based, to a large extent, on recommendations of a review group which contained representatives of relevant Departments, the Financial Regulator and three building societies. The...

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: That is always there.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: That is done by the Financial Regulator.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: They are free to petition the court.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: That would be before it would be taken over.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: It cannot be taken over.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: That is the rule as it stands. We are not bringing in a new rule.

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: My understanding is that rule existed as it was supposed to be. There has been concern about some discussions that have been evident at AGMs lately. Some people feel the discussions should not have got on the agenda. Some people wanted it made clearer that the issue could not be spoken on at all. The amendment allows its discussion. At a finance committee in the Oireachtas, for example, a...

Building Societies (Amendment) Bill 2006: Order for Second Stage. (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Written Answers — National Drugs Strategy: National Drugs Strategy (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: As the Deputy is aware, my Department has overall responsibility for co-ordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008. The Strategy contains 108 individual actions, under the five pillars of supply reduction, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and research. The actions outlined in the National Drugs Strategy are being progressed with the significant input of other...

Written Answers — House Completions: House Completions (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: Details in relation to the number of house completions in County Clare for each of the years 2001 to 2005 are set out in my Department's Housing Statistics Bulletins, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library, and also on the Department's website at www.environ.ie.

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (5 Jul 2006)

Noel Ahern: Apartment complex management companies are generally constituted under the Companies Acts and are required to comply with the provisions of company law, which is a matter for the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment. It is intended that proposals will be submitted to Government later this year for a Company Law Reform and Consolidation Bill, which is expected to include company law...