Results 7,961-7,980 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We need to make firm decisions now to lead this country out of the financial difficulties it is in.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Resorting to platitudes about change and getting the economy moving again will not do it. We need to have a plan——

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——and the plan is to save €2 billion this year and a further €4 billion next year.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is a tough plan, something the Opposition will not address. Of this €6 billion, we have already identified €3 billion.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is our plan to return the country to growth. This is a battle for our economic survival, as I pointed out already.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We will get the economy moving when we establish order in our finances, restore our cost competitiveness and re-establish the international goodwill we threw away in the Lisbon treaty result and everybody knows this and knows it well.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government is fully aware of the importance of investment for Ireland's future economic well-being. The goal must be to maintain our position as an attractive destination for investment. This is why the Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal published in December shows our determination to meet the severe short-term challenges we face and to introduce the changes which will ensure...

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Public pension benefits, in particular, are secure. It is entirely reasonable that a deduction should be made to reflect this reality.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: For many of those private sector workers who have pensions, the turmoil in financial markets over the last year has seriously affected the value of their pension schemes. The greatest tragedy of this recession is joblessness. Every day, workers in all our communities are losing their jobs. Each day last month, 1,000 workers became unemployed. Many others are maintaining their jobs only by...

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The salary will be capped at a figure that is well below the figures mentioned by the current chief executive.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Remuneration in banks is an important issue. It is the Government's belief that current levels of remuneration at senior banking level are not commensurate with the size of our economy or the institutions therein. As I announced last week, total remuneration for all senior executives in the banks benefiting from state capital — AIB and Bank of Ireland — will be reduced by at least 33%...

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Ireland is facing major economic and budgetary problems that must be dealt with. The Government recognises that the future prosperity of the country will be determined by the actions we take now. The step we are taking regarding the public service levy cannot be judged in isolation. It is part of a series of measures to restore order to our finances, enhance our competitiveness and enhance...

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is essential if we are to progress as a country. The public service provisions and services are part of the competitiveness we must observe as a community and nation. This is not a matter in which we have options. Were we to believe the Labour Party, we would believe there are other options. I analysed them earlier and pointed out——

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——how they are illusory, how they relate to tax exiles who cannot be taxed because they do not live in Ireland, how they rest on inaccurate figures——

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I know the Deputy comes from the constituency of Galway West but I have never visited the famous tent I hear so much about from the Deputies opposite.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I missed something in those glorious 12 years that perhaps the Deputy did not miss; I do not know. We will act fairly and firmly in the national interest.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We have a strategy to deal with the problems we face. The strategy will ensure that Ireland will effect a real reduction in the very substantial borrowing we must undertake this year. It would be a brave person who would predict what will happen in 2011 and 2012——

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——but it is essential for the survival of this country——

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——that firm decisions be taken and implemented at this stage. That is the task facing anyone in Government. If the Labour Party wants to check out figures on any particular options, the doors of my Department are open. My officials will advise them on those figures at any time.

Irish Economy: Motion (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We will take the decisions that are necessary for the future welfare of the country. We will not shirk from making very difficult decisions. Of course I acknowledge the difficulty of the decisions and, above all, the tremendous contribution that our public sector workers make. I acknowledge the long hours for which they work and the hard sacrifices they make.