Results 421-440 of 6,295 for speaker:Michael D'Arcy

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The purpose of this provision is to impose an obligation on a person not to disclose confidential information obtained while performing specific functions, for example, as a member of the committee of the council, a staff member or a consultant. Unauthorised disclosure is an offence which, on summary conviction, carries the penalty of a class A fine, that is, a fine not exceeding...

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The key amendment is amendment No. 38 which involves the deletion of section 79(4)(l).Amendments Nos. 36 and 37 are simply a consequential tidying up of the text. For reasons that I need not dwell upon, the Bill which emerged from Committee Stage contained two provisions relating to the publication in the annual report of the name of a judge to whom a reprimand is issued following the...

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I do not think that we can have a blanket provision which mandates the disclosure of a judge in all circumstances. Non-publication will always be an exceptional step. In addition to the examples I gave previously, it is possible to imagine that there may be circumstances where the naming of a judge might have unintended consequences in terms of its impact on third parties. I am thinking...

Seanad: Judicial Council Bill 2017: Report and Final Stages (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I want to touch on the insurance side of the Bill. I described the insurance section as a small corner of the Bill, which it is, but we cannot ignore the importance of that corner for businesses throughout the country. I thank the Seanad for its speed and flexibility on Committee and Report Stages. There are a few areas I want to touch upon but I do not have the time to highlight the good...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Articles of Agreement of the International Finance Corporation: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I ask the committee to consider a proposed amendment to the Articles of Agreement of the International Financial Corporation, IFC, which is part of the World Bank Group. In summary, the change to the articles is to increase the voting threshold for approval of future capital increases at the IFC. The Government seeks Dáil approval for this change under Article 29.5.2o of the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Articles of Agreement of the International Finance Corporation: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Yes.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Articles of Agreement of the International Finance Corporation: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Over five years.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Articles of Agreement of the International Finance Corporation: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Will a decision to implement this come back to the House or the select committee, or is it a matter for the Minister?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Articles of Agreement of the International Finance Corporation: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: It does not come back. Once it is sanctioned by the Dáil, it is a matter for the Minister for Finance to conclude at the appropriate time.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Articles of Agreement of the International Finance Corporation: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (20 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: As such, this is the approval to give the Minister the right to proceed. That is fine. I am happy with it and do not have any further questions.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: As outlined to the Deputy in previous responses to parliamentary questions, the stakeholder consultation formed the foundation upon which the two primary reports of the cost of insurance working group were developed. The consultation process involved a wide range of stakeholders representing different voices within this sector, including representative bodies, the major individual motor...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: It should be noted that the nature of the EU Single Market is such that insurance undertakings authorised in other member states are allowed conduct business in the Irish market on either a freedom of service basis or a freedom of establishment basis. Consequently, there are no restrictions preventing companies entering the market here if they wish. I will highlight some facts. Motor...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I am surprised that someone of Deputy Burton's experience knows so little about insurance. She delves in and out but she is never here when we are passing the legislation.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The Deputy delves in and out. The speed at which this is moving is the fastest at which I can bring it along. People may not be happy with that, but we have to deal with the structures that are in place. The Judicial Council Bill is the way forward. If we get it through at the end of this session, it will be a major benefit. Anyone who accepts the calculations of the data for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I note the Deputy's question. The challenge we have with the GDPR is over who owns the data and how it is shared. I am not sure that it is appropriate for anybody else to receive the data.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I thank the Deputy for his question. As he is aware, going back to the cost of insurance motor report in 2017 and the report on employer's liability and public liability insurance in 2018, the pathways are clear for what we must do. Last year, we did the Insurance (Amendment) Bill, the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill and the national claims information database. I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I share the Deputy's concern. We have hitched our wagon to this pathway because it was agreed with the Personal Injuries Commission and former President of the High Court, Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns. Everybody has been, and is, on board. The Deputy's point is correct. The schedule I have highlighted and outlined in my timeline and I cannot ensure implementation within it. If we can...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I want to highlight that I do not think a referendum is the correct direction of travel; it is the last option rather than something we are eager to do. As the Deputy is aware, the national claims information database is the correct structure to put the spotlight on the data for the insurance sector. With the change to the Solvency II rules, we did not have the data. Insurance Link is owned...

Seanad: National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: This Bill delivers on a commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government to establish a rainy day fund. The Government's primary rationale in establishing such a fund is to enhance the resilience of the economy and the public finances to withstand future economic and fiscal shocks. Our economic history, especially more recently, highlights the importance of creating a fiscal safety...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Cost of Insurance Working Group: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (13 Jun 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I welcome the opportunity to provide an update on the work of the cost of insurance working group to the committee. My primary focus in this address will be on business insurance. I am very conscious of the difficulties that the cost and availability of insurance are creating for many businesses and voluntary and community groups. I can understand the frustration that many people have with...