Results 9,841-9,860 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is easy to cut capital investment. The challenge now is to ensure that in the changed economic circumstances we produce more with less money. That is possible given the competitive environment that now exists for tendering.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Of course, the delivery of Transport 21 and the national development plan is affected by the level of economic growth and the resources available to the Government in the medium term. It is clear that we will have to prioritise and extend the period within which it can be implemented, but the plan stands. Last year alone, we spent €8 billion of Exchequer funds on capital projects. By...

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: However, I appeal to Deputy Bruton to rein in the worst excesses of those in his party who, in their pursuit of political advantage——

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In pursuit of political damage, they are undermining confidence in our economy. I advise Deputy Ring that careless talk cost lives in the last war and careless talk can cost banks as well.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This does not come without risks, risks that were enunciated in the last budget, risks that those opposite choose to forget. They have forgotten, in particular, the significant uncertainty and volatility in world financial markets which began in August 2007 and has continued into 2008. The euro has continued to strengthen against the dollar and sterling, our two important export markets....

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A number of Deputies opposite have suggested that the measures the Government proposed are ill-conceived and rushed. I assure the House that we were careful in developing the measures to protect the vulnerable and the economy as far as possible. We have been preparing the ground for some time. In his budget speech last year, the Taoiseach, then Minister for Finance, announced a...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The lessons of the past tell us that we need to guard against——

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——entering into a process of ad hoc responses and persistent and increased current borrowing. I listened very carefully to what the leader of the Fine Gael Party said yesterday in the course of this debate. When one translates what he said in fiscal terms, he was opposing some of the savings, although he welcomed others, in fairness.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: He also proposed other expenditures and a reduction in taxation. That is not a sustainable strategy for Ireland in the future. It would be easy to veer completely off course by resorting to such policies. If we were interested in an easy life for the present, it might be a tempting option.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: However, the Government is determined to address the issues by taking the necessary decisions. I know for certain that no Deputy on this side of the House wants a return to the economic situation that pertained in the 1980s.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am sure the Deputies opposite share my view on this.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A number of Deputies criticised the proposal to reduce the allocation for FÁS apprenticeships. However, this measure is a recognition of the reality that there will be a lower demand for apprenticeships as a result of the downturn in the new housing sector. I remind Deputies that FÁS schemes are demand-led.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Employers look for apprentices. It is not some sort of social employment scheme, as has been suggested by some speakers. The numbers of apprentices are falling because demand for labour in the construction sector is falling. We all know that and have referred to it in the course of this debate.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Equally, it is not surprising that the largest saving should come from the health Vote since the entire income tax yield is spent on the health allocation. The savings arise from allocations that cannot be spent this year. That is an ordinary saving for 2008.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The truth is health costs have not been targeted for heavier savings than others and the percentage of savings is close to the average for all other Departments combined. Likewise, the savings in overseas development assistance arise from moneys that would not have been spent on time this year. Even so, we will still exceed the 0.54% target set for 2008 in terms of GNP and we will be far...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are firm in our aim to get savings from payrolls, procurement and policy measures and are prepared to face up to the need for more action as the situation warrants.

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Over the last 11 years, we have invested wisely in schools, roads, public transport and environmental infrastructure, giving us one of the highest rates of public investment in Europe. We have dramatically increased the State pension, child benefit and the number of gardaí, teachers, doctors and nurses serving our people. These are the choices we made with the surplus that our taxpayers...

National Development Plan: Motion (Resumed) (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Our priority will be to manage the present situation sensibly. This will ensure we create the right environment to return to trend rate of economic growth, which is generally agreed by leading economic commentators to be 4%. In doing this we can sustain the real and tangible economic and social progress we have made. The measures I outlined this week will help us along that path.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 to 63, inclusive, together. I accept that the tax system can, as well as other measures, be used to either encourage or deter certain behaviours that have impacts on the environment. In this regard the Government has been to the fore in using the tax system to promote environmental policies; examples include: Budget 2008 provided for VRT on passenger cars...

Written Answers — Airport Development Projects: Airport Development Projects (10 Jul 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The NDP Central Monitoring Committee was supplied with both a report on the Airports Sub-Programme and with a draft of the 2007 NDP Annual Report, which also included a section on the Airports Sub-Programme. The draft 2007 NDP Annual Report was discussed by the NDP Central Monitoring Committee at its meeting on 16th May last. Following consideration by Government, the 2007 Annual Report was...