Results 5,181-5,200 of 7,412 for speaker:Neasa Hourigan

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Apologies have been received from Deputies Michael Healy-Rae and Cannon. Members and all those who are in attendance are asked to exercise personal responsibility in protecting themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. They are strongly advised to practice good hand hygiene and to leave at least one vacant seat between themselves and others attending. They should always...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Deputy Boyd Barrett is next.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I thank Dr. Cassidy for his opening statement. I will open the floor to members and the first speaker is Deputy Doherty.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Very quick. The Deputy is way over her time.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I have some questions. We are at the end of the speaker list but I invite members who want to come back in to indicate, if they are online, by putting their hand up. I see Deputy Boyd Barrett has already done so. I will give people a chance to do that and ask my questions in the meantime. I am aware that Ireland's exposure to Russia in terms of imports and exports, and Russian lenders...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: To follow up on that, I have been reading through ESRI's spring statement and their publication. One of the things they pick out is Ireland's vulnerability in respect of aircraft leasing. We manage in the region of €100 billion in assets. While they have not yet done so, there has been a lot of discussion about the possibility of Russia seizing aircraft. This might have a larger...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: That brings us to the domestic economy and the influx of Ukrainians into the country. In his opening statement, Dr. Cassidy very helpfully touched on things such as the labour market. What does the Central Bank consider to be some of the challenges? We have gone beyond the 10,000 mark in welcoming Ukrainians to Ireland. We are not really sure what the end number might be. Let us say that...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Yes. I am sorry, I should be clear that I agree that this is inevitable and that we must support people at such a terrible time. To me, however, good financial planning is part of that support.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Deputy Boyd Barrett does not look especially shocked. Is he finished his questioning?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I thank the Deputy. As I do not see anybody else indicating, I might finish on a question I forgot during my original round. It is linked to the issue of inflation for SMEs in Ireland. I am thinking especially of micro-sized businesses. It may be in the region of 90%. A very high number-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: -----of SMEs are microbusinesses. Traditionally, they are very slow to access credit in Ireland. It is under 20%. Is it fair to say it is a very small amount? One report I saw said in a six-month period, only 11% of microbusinesses sought credit. Is that something that is on the bank's radar? I am aware we are undertaking a banking review and that is all being looked at but in this very...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Does Dr. Cassidy mean credit unions?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Okay.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Currently one in five is refused credit. That is not considered a particularly high rate, or it is?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I take the point that Covid has somewhat obscured what is really happening. From the perspective of a non-economist, when we see this level of inflation, would Dr. O'Brien typically expect to see SMEs under stress?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: Is the Central Bank actively monitoring that?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Stability Programme Update Scrutiny (Resumed): Central Bank of Ireland (23 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: I thank Dr. O'Brien for that. As I do not see any other hands raised, either digitally or in person, it remains for me to thank the witnesses very much for their presence this evening and for what has been a very useful and thought provoking session. I thank Dr. Mark Cassidy and Dr. Martin O'Brien for their assistance to the committee today. It is proposed to meet in private session at 5...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Public Transport (22 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: 180. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to increase the fixed payment notice for taxis that refuse to carry assistance dogs or guide dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14215/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Electric Vehicles (22 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: 198. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding provided to each relevant local authority under the public charge point scheme in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [14599/22]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: National Transport Authority (22 Mar 2022)

Neasa Hourigan: 217. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the National Transport Authority can provide a gender breakdown of its Cork office. [14949/22]