Results 10,161-10,180 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not disturbed. The motion refers to the issue of carbon-related windfall gains, which was raised by Deputies O'Donnell and Varadkar. The issue of windfall gains to electricity generating companies that arise as a result of the free allocation of carbon allowances under the EU's emissions trading scheme is complex and is faced not only by Ireland, but by all EU member states. The issue...

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Moreover, from 2013 it is proposed that allowances will be auctioned and this issue will no longer arise. However, it remains a matter for consideration for the next number of years. Ireland has a low burden of taxation in respect of labour and capital, a policy the Government is intent on maintaining. It has stood us well up to now and I have no doubt it will continue to provide a sound...

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is the doctrine of the self-financing tax cut, which various prominent political personalities, to whom Deputy Varadkar refers occasionally in his contributions, have had resort to in the past. Even if the reduction was passed on in full to consumers, the impact on the consumer price index would be only 0.18%. The question arises, and was discussed earlier in this debate, as to whether...

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: From what I read, Fine Gael is proposing a self-financing tax.

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are all creatures of EU law.

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The National Development Finance Agency is there to advise us on these and it is linked with the agency which manages our debt. It has a considerable competence in advising us on these matters. On the general abstract issue of PPPs raised by the Deputy, there are advantages in the PPP, as the Comptroller and Auditor General himself accepted in an answer to the Committee of Public Accounts...

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The approach allows for a number of projects.

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will comment. I am giving the Deputy reasons——

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am giving the Deputy the advantages——

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would like to deal with that.

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy asked an abstract question. With regard to the concrete question, they are two entirely different public private partnership arrangements. They are not the same.

Public Private Partnerships. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand the position, the developer is contractually committed in one of the Dublin arrangements to which Deputy Burton referred. In the other case, no legal arrangement was entered into.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The national development plan, NDP, is a high level strategic framework and financial investment plan. It sets out indicative financial allocations for the investment priorities which will consolidate and enhance our economic competitiveness and provide a better quality of life for everyone in this country. The plan brings together different sectoral investment policies into one overall...

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The allocation for a particular year, as the plan indicated, is always subject to our obligations to the European Central Bank under the Maastricht arrangements. It is also subject to the prevailing budgetary position so, in devising the Estimates for this year for capital next year, sovereignty lies with the process this year.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not accept that but I do accept that I have an obligation, as Minister for Finance, to ensure current spending is kept under tight control and that priority is given to investments outlined in the national development plan.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The relevant quantum of investment took place in the NDP in the past two years. As Minister for Finance I will review this, examine the position this year in the mid-term review and bring forward proposals for the Government in the autumn.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand my predecessor pointed out that the manifesto was subject to current budget constraints and considerations, as any manifesto should be.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Delivery of the NDP remains the priority of the Government in the context of public finances.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We can debate this in future but it is clear that in the past two years all the commitments in the NDP have been met.

National Development Plan. (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is evidenced in the substantial expenditure we have seen in improving our roads network, for example, which is taking place ahead of schedule this year due to the fine weather we have had. I have no doubt the other investments will also be progressed in the NDP.