Results 7,581-7,600 of 16,582 for speaker:Peadar Tóibín

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: I was taken by Mr. Sibley's statement that Ireland's banking market is somewhat concentrated. Would it not be fair to say the Irish banking market is an oligopoly, or very concentrated?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: In other words, if one were to design a banking market, it would not at all be our banking market. Our banking market shows enormous supplier power. The banks exert far more power than they normally would if there were healthier competition within the market. We have two pillar banks, in the words of the Government, and they have about 80% of the market. Instead of seeing that much...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: Would it be fair to say that the fact that banks in this country enjoy profits that are tax-free is also a barrier to entry? For example, Permanent TSB will not pay any taxes until 2038. AIB will not pay any taxes on its profits until 2037. If I were a European company coming into a market and was competing with companies that were not paying tax on their profits, would that be a barrier...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: If I were operating in any other market and my competitors were not paying any tax, that would have an effect on my ability to compete with them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: Mr. Sibley mentioned the entry of European competitors into the Irish market, which would be fantastically welcome. However, the three potential blocs within the financial system that could operate in competition more directly with the banks are An Post, a public banking system and even the credit union system. The barrier to those who wish to enter this market is, therefore, Government...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: Is there any understanding of the volume of that lending?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: Sometimes the market structure in Ireland is the elephant in the room in that we talk so much about everything else. Mario Draghi said in 2018, I think, that the mortgage market in Ireland operates as a de facto monopoly. That was the language he used. There is no doubt but that a de facto monopoly hurts consumers significantly. That is the nature of monopolies. I will change tack. It...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: Can we, as a committee, receive the up-to-date information on volumes so we can assess if there has been a change in behaviour?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: Yes. It is not just owner-occupiers. I have heard from people who have buy-to-lets and businesses or farms. The Central Bank warned at the start of the process that there would be a €22 billion hole in the Government's finances this year due to Covid, etc. What does the future hold in terms of the European rules being reapplied and the timescale? What policy options are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Banking Issues in Ireland: Central Bank (15 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: Please give details.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Appointments (10 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: 46. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the second vacancy for the Supreme Court has been left unfilled; and her plans to fill this position before the end of her term as Minister. [40269/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: 90. To ask the Minister for Health the nature of the correspondence his Department has received from organisations, charities, volunteer groups and NGOs which warn of an increase in mental health issues and suicide rates since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. [42445/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Health Services Staff (10 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: 135. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional nurses, midwives and medical practitioners that have been employed by the HSE in 2020 through the use of recruitment agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42444/20]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (10 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: 295. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will take steps to resolve the dispute that has arisen in schools in relation to SNAs being asked to use a catheter with certain students that need help with toileting; and when staff with nursing experience will be employed in schools to help certain students' needs as promised. [42561/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Protected Disclosures (10 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: 376. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent reports in the media that a protected disclosure was made to his Department concerning warnings of issues pertaining to foetal diagnostic testing in 2018, some months before a perfectly healthy unborn baby was misdiagnosed and subsequently aborted in the National Maternity Hospital in 2019. [40270/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: 377. To ask the Minister for Health the rationale behind the current guidance in relation to attendance at funerals and weddings. [42095/20]

Mental Health Policy: Motion [Private Members] (9 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: I welcome this important motion and praise the Regional Independent Group for bringing it before the Dáil. I would like to give a special mention to Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, who did massive work in the development of this particular motion. This is a strong motion and, if implemented, would make a radical change to hundreds of thousands of lives around the country. I also welcome the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (9 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: 149. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) aged over 66 who has had their employment impacted by Covid-19, had been making PRSI contributions while in employment and was also in receipt of a contributory widow’s pension is excluded from being eligible to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cancer Screening and Care Services: Discussion (9 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: As someone who has had a battle with cancer this year, I thank all of the witnesses very much for the work they do in their professional capacities. It is appreciated. Before I ask my questions, I will add my voice to urge and encourage women to use the CervicalCheck cancer screening. Despite all the media reports and questions around it, the programme plays a valuable role in protecting...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health: Cancer Screening and Care Services: Discussion (9 Dec 2020)

Peadar Tóibín: I thank Dr. Russell for that answer but it does not get to the key issue. I fully agree that there is a significant margin of error in the screening and it cannot be any other way. That is inherent in the process. I also understand, however, that the Government has taken responsibility for slides that were read incorrectly and that should have been picked up in the initial reading, and has...