Results 2,941-2,960 of 7,975 for speaker:Joe Higgins

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Would Mr. Maguire say that about the 325 mortgages the IMHO and AIB claim to have been restructured?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: This applies to a very small minority of people in distress.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: That does not hold out a comforting vista for the huge number of people who are in mortgage distress.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: I acknowledge that the various groups represented before us have worked very hard on this issue but I have to say to Mr. Maguire that his bankruptcy idea holds out a torturous road for something that should be much simpler. In respect of banks and bond holders that have been bailed out at huge cost to the taxpayer, why does he not argue for a universal solution of write downs for owner...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Just give them time to answer.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Perhaps they could answer the question when they are responding to the next speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Not everyone has a husband or wife.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: If one does not have a wife to bail one out, where does one go?

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Of course it is inappropriate. Do not be a fool.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: People should engage, but I do not know why Mr. Hall just writes off the idea that-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Organisations such as Mr. Hall's, which have huge authority owing to the great amount of work they have done, should in my view be looking at a bigger picture in this. Otherwise we will have a situation whereby people will have this millstone around their neck for the next 50 years.

Confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality; and Defence: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: A motion of no confidence in the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, is warranted by any one of several stances taken by the Minister which were all designed to protect the most senior echelons of the Garda Síochána when issues surfaced that brought their role into serious question. The penalty points controversy and the blackguarding of the two gardaí who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: I have a question for all six organisations. What is their arrangement with the banks in terms of trying to survive financially? Do these organisations get paid fees or retainers or anything else?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: As an organisation that has loudly and correctly criticised the banks for their callousness and cruelty, is there a danger that AIB is attempting to get an organisation like the IMHO embedded to try to take the sting out of public criticism as to the callous way it and the other banks have been acting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: As Mr. Hall has said, it should not come down to this.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Of the 325 cases IMHO has resolved, did they all involve owner-occupiers?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: Are the details publicised? I do not mean the names, but the details of the resolution.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: On what basis are the write-downs made? What criteria are applied in regard to the write-downs or whatever happens?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process: Discussion (2 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: In general, I would say that the banks act in an arbitrary fashion in this regard. The so-called split mortgage solution, of hanging people with debt into their old age and hanging it on their children after them if they inherit the home, is not a solution but tortuous cruelty over a lifetime. All the groups here have done massive advocacy and have been correct to criticise the banks and...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Middle East Issues (1 Apr 2014)

Joe Higgins: I again invite the Taoiseach to call on FIFA to issue an ultimatum to the Qatari regime and authorities that if there is not an immediate verifiable transformation in the grotesque exploitative conditions of workers, particularly those of migrant workers, it will withdraw the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar. Does he agree this would be a powerful pressure point on this regime that could...