Results 32,261-32,280 of 36,054 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Written Answers — Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Coillte Teoranta Lands (29 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is forestry land for sale in County Donegal owned by Coillte or the State; his plans for the sale of forestry lands owned by Coillte within the State; if he will reiterate the promise made at the McGill summer school in 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53406/12]

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I have read the consultation protocol for credit unions and it does not do what I am or the Irish League of Credit Unions is asking for. I note the Minister's point that he does not want to have a statutory memorandum of understanding, but I again reiterate the point that the memorandum would not be on a statutory footing. The only thing that would be on a statutory footing is the...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I have heard the Minister say a number of times that he is not willing to move to a statutory basis and at this late stage in dealing with the Bill I am not going to push that issue. I acknowledge that section 7 of the consultation protocol deals with the regulatory impact assessment, which is to be welcomed as it will look at options and the implications in terms of regulation of the credit...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: That would be fine. It would be appreciated.

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I move amendment No. 45:In page 59, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: "30.—The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following new section after section 84A (inserted by the Credit Union Act 2012): "84B.—As soon as is practicable, the Bank shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with credit unions the form of which shall be agreed in...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I have two amendments in this group but we have discussed the issue already. The Minister has indicated a proposal to extend the limit to 12 years. I presume that will extend to this section as well.

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the commitment from the Minister. I am particularly pleased he will examine the waiver issue and has agreed to extend the term limits.

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: Tomorrow is the second anniversary of my election to the House for the first time, but Deputy Tommy Broughan has served 18 more years than me. I have tabled three amendments, two of which deal with term limits and the other with a waiver. I will not rehearse the arguments I made on Committee Stage regarding term limits, with which I do not agree. The renewal of boards is important, but...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the reiteration of the Minister's commitment through the Minister of State. I appreciate that the Minister of State cannot accept my argument now and must consult the Minister. However, I will make my argument in any case to try to inform his approach. I appreciate that this matter must be dealt with before the end of the year. It is not sustainable to have a board comprised...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: Amendment No. 17 in my name deals the prohibition being put in place to prevent voluntary assistants from becoming members of the boards of credit unions. When we discussed this matter on Committee Stage, the Minister for Finance indicated a willingness to deal with all but one of the exclusions about which my party and I are concerned. He indicated that he would bring forward proposals in...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: To be fair to the Minister of State and the Minister, they have said they will move the issue forward following examination by the advisory group. I welcome the Minister of State’s comment that he expects the report by the middle of next year. The Minister has given an indication that if the capacity exists the Government will not stand in the way of such a change. That said, I...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: We need to be careful that we are not mixing things up. We know there are additional services that credit unions can provide. These have to be approved by the AGM and so forth, and the credit union would then apply to the Central Bank. If it is approved and has the capacity to provide the additional services, it can provide them. We also know the position with regard to shared services at...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I would like to make a final point on the issue of social lending. The Minister of State has indicated that he will examine the wording of section 12. I would like him to include in the section a specific reference to the fact that guaranteed State-backed projects can be invested in.

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: It is something we should encourage. There have been discussions on the banks in this House previously. I will stay focused on the legislation at hand. We have had a constructive engagement on it. This House has previously discussed the question of burden-sharing with banks including Anglo Irish Bank. It has been argued that some credit unions have made their investments in the form of...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I move amendment No. 7:In page 9, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following:"7.—The Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following new section after section 26:"26A.—(1) A credit union may, once the approval of the Bank has been secured and the necessary capacity and infrastructure put in place, promote, invest in, loan to, and/or contract with a credit union...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: While I appreciate the indication from the Minister of State that he will consider the wording of section 12, I do not see why the amendment I tabled on behalf of Sinn Féin cannot be taken in order to provide clarity in this area. There may be nothing to restrict lending and I am willing to withdraw my amendment if this is what the Minister wants to achieve but I seek to include...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stages (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I have nothing to add on the amendment. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, and hope the Minister for Finance provided him with a note to the effect that he is very open to all of the amendments in this group. The Minister engaged very well on Committee Stage and I hope that engagement continues.

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: Just for the record, in view of the Minister's comments, I was prepared to withdraw amendment No. 2.

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I move amendment No. 6:In page 9, between lines 33 and 34, to insert the following:“7.—The Principal Act is amended by inserting the following subsection after section 6(5):“(6) Nothing in this Act shall prevent a credit union from lending to a State guaranteed project which is in keeping with the objects for which credit unions are formed as stated in this...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Report Stage (28 Nov 2012)

Pearse Doherty: I want to acknowledge what I feel was a very constructive engagement on Committee Stage last week. As was clear from that, the Minister understands the concerns of the credit union movement and Members. I look forward to seeing the progress reports the Minister will give us on his own amendments on foot of the issues we raised last week. I also look forward to seeing these amendments taken...