Results 10,461-10,480 of 16,492 for speaker:Ciarán Lynch

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: I will not comment on the Deputy''s position as to whether it is correct or incorrect, but I note the period covered in the request is two years, two months and two days.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: That is fine.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: I was pointing to the timeframe involved in the request.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: I again welcome the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, and his officials. The purpose of the meeting is to resume our consideration of the Freedom of Information Bill 2013 which was referred to the select sub-committee by Dáil Éireann on 3 October. Is it agreed that we will try to conclude our consideration of the Bill today, if possible? Agreed.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Amendments Nos. 33 and 47 to 52, inclusive, are in the name of the Minister and will be discussed together, by agreement. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: We will leave it there for the moment. I told Deputy O'Donnell that I would accommodate him and he has been accommodated. I thank the Minister and his officials for appearing before the committee this morning. I remind members that we have some administrative matters to deal with in private session when the Minister has left. I suggest that we now go into private session and allow the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Before I call Deputy Arthur Spring, I ask the Minister to revert to an issue raised by Deputy Dara Murphy, the position with the German trade surplus, on which there has been much commentary. Mr. Paul Krugman also had an article on it last week in which he stated that the German economy was benefiting from a cheap euro. I understand the Commission is due to publish its opinion on member...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: As we saw with the Maastricht treaty and other measures the rules do not appear to apply when the major states in Europe do not feel threatened.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Okay.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Is there a macroeconomic and balance mechanism or procedure that can be looked at as well?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: It would appear as if the Germans have been - in breach is probably too strong a word - but certainly over the line for the past three years in that regard.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Will the Deputy put the question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: A final reply.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: I am conscious that the Minister needs to go at 11.30 a.m. I call Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Can the Minister clarify if the single resolution mechanism will apply to Irish credit unions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: After the ECOFIN meeting, Ireland will be exiting the bailout programme. With regard to the European semester and the budgetary situation, we are now in the system proper in 2014. Does the Minister have any thoughts he wants to share on how the Oireachtas or parliamentary dimension will operate as part of the budgetary cycle as it is the first year proper in that system?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: With regard to the standard VAT return being worked upon as part of the ECOFIN process, can the Minister explain to us whether it is coming from the Commission or the SME sector? The Minister indicated concern about this because it could create a layer of bureaucracy in the system we have, which is quite simple.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Can the Minister give us the state of play of the single resolution mechanism? What is the Minister's understanding with different member states on how it will further progress? Can the Minister provide clarification in regard to the banking sector and how it can be levied after a resolution situation?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Is there not a case of for proportionality? In some smaller member states, a bank might not seem like a big bank on the European stage but for the small country's economy it is quite significant.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Business of Joint Committee (13 Nov 2013)

Ciarán Lynch: Is it agreed to deal with correspondence and other matters in private session after the discussion with the Minister, as he must depart at 11.30 a.m.? Agreed.