Results 2,461-2,480 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Let us be clear. We do not know where the Labour Party stands on the issue of water charges. Its spokesperson on the environment opposed water charges, as did Deputy Stagg.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Its party leader says it has yet to decide, as a party, on the issue. Again, it is sitting on the fence-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----as it did on the agreement that was signed up for today.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We all know that we must broaden our tax base. The Regling report recommends such a course of action.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Of course we will continue that process in the next budget. However, I do not expect to obtain much support from Deputies opposite.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Any more than they want to listen to this speech, they do not want it pointed out that they are not prepared to support-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----the essential measures that are needed. We know what their position will be on tax well in advance of the budget.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Labour party will suggest there is a tiny group of people who can pay for everything, and Fine Gael will oppose any taxation measures whatsoever. I know that before the ink is dry on any budget speech and well in advance of it.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Last month, Deputy Gilmore could not bring himself-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----to decide whether he supported the Croke Park agreement. That would mean taking a stance. This Government gave a textbook example of political leadership on 29 September 2008 when it introduced the bank guarantee.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Again, this was opposed by the Labour Party. Let us see what Professor Honohan had to say about that.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Our guarantee was opposed as a matter of principle.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Let us see what Professor Honohan said about this.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: He said: Closure of all, or a large part, of the banking system would have entailed a catastrophic immediate and sustained economy-wide disruption involving very significant, albeit extremely difficult to quantify, social costs, reflecting in particular the fundamental function of the payments system in a modern economy. These costs would have been broad-based in terms of income, employment...

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Let us be clear about what Professor Honohan also said.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: He said that a disorderly failure of Anglo Irish Bank would have brought down the whole banking system, with devastating consequences for the economy. Professor Honohan then concluded: "[T]he systemic importance of Anglo Irish Bank at that time cannot seriously be disputed."

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Two weeks ago, Deputy Burton said that only a fool-----

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----would view Anglo Irish Bank as being of systemic importance.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I take it, by inference, that she views the Governor of the Central Bank as a fool.

Confidence in the Taoiseach and the Government: Motion (15 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Here is the difficulty that the Irish Government faces in addressing these issues. We have the constant repetition-----