Results 1,241-1,260 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Fiscal Policy (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----of what is appropriate in connection with particular reductions in expenditure, of course in the Estimates process the Government has regard to the relevant economic impacts. I noted that Commissioner Rehn, when asked yesterday for his personal opinion and based on his experience in Finland, made the point that education and innovation are of particular importance to an economy like...

Fiscal Policy (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, Commissioner Rehn did not suggest that at all. He suggested that his assessment was that the €15 million overall target was appropriate and that the most important issue of all was the front-loading of the €6 billion correction. He communicated that opinion in the Irish broadcast media, as I understand.

Fiscal Policy (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There was no discussion about the date because the figure of 2014 was in fact agreed in 2009 when Ireland was given a long period - the longest period of any member state - to correct its deficit, in recognition of the fact that our difficulties were -----

Fiscal Policy (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The figures on the fiscal deficit were not all that different in 2009.

Fiscal Policy (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government has great faith in this country and its capacities and in the future of this country. I certainly have faith that we can overcome our difficulties and resolve them. Our underlying economic performance has been very strong throughout this recession. For example, our exports on a year-on-year basis increased by 6% this year. There is tremendous resilience in our labour force....

Fiscal Policy (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If I may finish, it has been delayed until later November. The Deputy is incorrect; it is not contingent on the date for the Donegal by-election. It will be later this month. It has never been suggested by either the Government or myself that the Donegal by-election has anything to do with this because that is not the case. The Government is finalising the Estimates process for the budget...

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have circulated with the reply a table outlining the breakdown of full-time equivalent staffing levels in my Department at the end of October 2010. I will recite the numbers. The Department staff consists of one Secretary General; one Secretary General on the public service side; three second secretaries; 12 assistant secretaries; 50.1 principal officers; 128.95 assistant principal...

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am satisfied that my Department has augmented the expertise available to it in this area, first, through my decision made earlier this year to delegate certain functions to the NTMA, which has a recognised expertise in money matters and has also developed an expertise in regard to banking matters, and, second, through additional recruitment within my Department, to which Deputy O'Keeffe...

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Again, I will undertake to furnish the Deputy with that information. There are some individuals involved. While I am briefed with detailed matters in that regard, it would be better if I communicated by letter with the Deputy.

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand the matter, the bulk of that was arranged through the NTMA. In regard to Deputy Burton's other questions, I will give her the precise information she wants in regard to the professional qualifications of members of my Department. Public accounting and the conduct of public accounts is a speciality in its own right, distinct from private accounting.

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are many individuals in my Department, the Deputy will be glad to hear, who have a knowledge in regard to the preparation and publication of public accounts which is far more detailed than the awareness any private accountant would have.

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is not. I said I would furnish the Deputy with the details.

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is a very big question.

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister is responsible for the Department. In our constitutional system, the Minister is always responsible for the conduct of the business of a Department, and responsible and accountable to this House for how the business of the Department is transacted. Of course, in some matters, that can be pushed to an absurdity where a Minister is criticised because a set of paper clips was...

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That said, the Minister is responsible for fundamental issues of policy in a Department - no one contests that.

Departmental Staff (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There was extensive experience and expertise in banking matters in the Department at all stages. Of course, the officers with that expertise and experience within the Department could also draw on the expertise of the Central Bank and the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, as it was then known.

Banks Recapitalisation (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to my earlier answer to Priority Question No. 47. The purpose of the promissory notes issued to the institutions referred to in the Deputy's question is to enable the State to provide them with the necessary capital to meet regulatory capital requirements in a way that ensures that the cash burden on the Exchequer over a period of years is manageable. The promissory note...

Banks Recapitalisation (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not in a position to deal with the issue of encryption codes.

Banks Recapitalisation (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government is committed to meeting the capital requirements of the relevant institutions through the issue of a promissory note and plainly such a note will require to be issued before the end of the year. The capital figures have already been disclosed in the announcement on 30 September. As I indicated in my supplementary response to the previous question, I am open to constructive...

Banks Recapitalisation (10 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not have the information before me but as I understand it, the figure for 2011 is 0.8%.