Results 8,201-8,220 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Any constructive proposals the Deputy wishes to advance in that regard will be addressed. Deputy Bruton referred, for example, to the question of export risk insurance, which can be examined. I must point out, however, that it would be extraordinarily prohibitive for the State to insure against the risk related to currency differentials in the present climate. However, constructive...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In December, the Government published a comprehensive framework on economic renewal.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Particular actions will be taken on foot of that.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is a large number of questions to deal with. Deputy English raised a large number of issues relating to the responsibilities of the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. However, I thank him for their constructive character in the context of job protection in the current economic situation. With regard to financial arrangements, in the announcement made by the...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Some of the figures that have been put into the public domain are not accurate in that respect.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am glad the Deputy has given me the opportunity to comment on the National Pensions Reserve Fund. Legislation will be introduced in the House to discuss this matter. Any moneys invested by the National Treasury Management Agency or the pension fund will be invested for a full return. For example, any preferential shares——

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, there will be a cash return. This is a financial and commercial operation, not an operation connected with public expenditure. There would be no return, in financial terms, to the investment proposed by the Deputy.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will examine it, but what the Deputy proposes would abolish the fund. I understand the Deputy's concern at the loss of jobs in Shannon and will take the issue up with the Minister. The Deputy put a final question, but I was not able to make a note of it.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With regard to that levy, higher levies apply in the Netherlands and in Great Britain, but they do not seem to have the effects the Deputy has outlined.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Shannon-London connectivity has now been reopened.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A large number of constructive questions were asked and I appreciate the tone of the House at this time. I am not in a position to deal with all of the questions because so many were asked. To answer Deputy Barrett, we decided to use gross income as the basis of this measure and I will take his point about lending money to facilitate alternative energies. It is an important issue and I am...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, I am afraid not.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have not been apprised of it.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand the position it is not being paid.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not in a position to advise the House at this moment.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand it, no such payment is being made or envisaged. I will have to check out the position in some detail. I did not see the e-mail and if Deputy Rabbitte put me in possession of the e-mail I would be in a better position to comment on it. It has not been suggested to me over recent weeks that any pay rises are impending.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With regard to the banks, Deputy Michael D. Higgins referred to the Swedish example. I agree that the identification of the assets which are at risk is crucial to the determination and resolution of their problems. We have made progress on this through the work of the PricewaterhouseCoopers assessment of the exposures of the banks. We built on this with auctioneering advice. In the...

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Discussions with the Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks are coming towards a conclusion and I anticipate decisions by the Government in this regard in a matter of days rather than weeks.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will examine this position. Particular cases will be brought up by Deputies and I am not in a position to provide a definitive answer today. I will examine the issue.

Stabilisation of the Public Finances: Motion (Resumed) (5 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With regard to the Civil Service, I made clear that bonuses have been abolished and I will be in contact with the other bodies on this matter.