Results 5,041-5,060 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Correct. There was a considerable native household dimension in that as well, as I am sure Deputy Higgins would agree. In general, Deputy Burton then turned to the question of household security and home security. She has tabled an amendment on lending to small business. Much of what is provided here, the obligation to increase lending, can be secured through the type of mechanism I...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not accept that.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: They agreed the condition and signed up for it. It was in the capitalisation agreement and, therefore, it was put into the public domain before any rating agency saw it. The reality of it is that given the range of default in the United Kingdom and the United States where many of these rating agencies originate, and given that the traditional borrower in these countries has been far less...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is an unaccountable power, and a serious power in the condign way in which it can be exercised to affect the choices of sovereign governments who are democratically accountable.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I can introduce Deputy Rabbitte to officials from rating agencies and he can be blue in the face explaining this. It has been explained by my officials, I can assure him.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Yes.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not in disagreement on that. We are now on AA-minus - on stable, mind you. The patient has finally stabilised in intensive care, but that is where we are in terms of the rating agencies. I want to return to the topic because it is an important one. The programme for Government contains clear commitments on it. The Labour Party had a motion yesterday evening debated and decided on in...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It could be done. That is correct.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I fear that we have returned to Second Stage. I have examined Deputy Morgan's proposal. I do not mean to be critical when I say that the other amendments do not provide for an appeals mechanism. I know the amendments are motivated by the best reasons. The Labour Party amendment is restricted to small and medium sized enterprises and small businesses. There is quite a problem in providing...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with the Deputy's questions. Deputy Bruton was concerned to know when we will see the codes of practice and the appeals mechanisms. The codes of practice will be binding on the participating institutions. We will not have participating institutions until this legislation has been adopted and the various institutions have complied with their internal formalities with regard to...

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We know the banks can be very tough with debtors. I assure the Deputy that Ministers can be tough with banks as well. However, we cannot engage in pointless rhetoric in the House. That is not a substitute for policy. Policy requires decisions. Decisions have been taken on this country's banking sector and will continue to be taken. The question of support for the economy is crucial....

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, I am not. There will also be codes of practice.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is fundamental to recognise that the credit problem we see today might not be the credit problem we will see early next year. It is important that all of the different credit problems are addressed.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In so far as the credit problems that exist here and now are concerned, my intention is to make an initial informal announcement, in advance of the codes, in approximately six weeks time. However, I do not want to be tied down on the code before we have participation by the institutions.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I expect to make an informal announcement about what is envisaged within six weeks. The actual code will have to await the decision of the institutions to participate in the scheme. The imposition of the code is linked to the participation of the institutions. There is a timescale for the implementation of the legislation.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am sorry. I am not a witness under cross-examination. I am in Parliament and I am entitled to speak at this stage.

National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I answered the Deputy's questions.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant information available relates to numbers of claimants for the personal and PAYE credits, excluding claimants for lone parents and the widowed persons top up, in the specified income ranges which are set out in the table below. Claimants for the lone parents and the widowed persons top up credits are included in the table numbers...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that flat-rate farmers are not in the normal course entitled to credit for, or repayment of, VAT incurred by them on business inputs. The Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 25) Order, 1993 provides for refunds to flat-rate farmers for VAT borne on the "construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of any building or structure which is...