Results 1,401-1,420 of 2,211 for speaker:Paul Connaughton

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I have a lot more questions but it is only fair to allow someone else to speak. I thank Mr. Elderfield for his answers and wish him the best of luck in the future.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Mr. Elderfield obviously knows the position inside out. As matters stand, is he of the view that the banks will require a further bailout?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I will conclude with a final point because other members are champing at the bit. Mr. Elderfield will leave his post in October. He stated earlier that "as a supervisor one is almost always playing catch up with industry and it is dangerous to think one will get to a point when one can rest on your laurels". Is he concerned by the fact that in the past six months certain individuals have...

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Does Mr. Elderfield envisage much of an increase in repossessions?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I understand the Financial Regulator has set targets for the banks. When are they due to first report to the regulator?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: If the bank does not reach its target and if the Financial Regulator finds out that it offered a deal to a customer and it appears a deal was completed but it does not work for the customer at all, what powers does the Financial Regulator or the Central Bank now have to ensure that they learn from it and that it will not happen again or that they will fix it properly?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Does Mr. Elderfield believe he has the staff and resources to make that happen? If there are unsustainable solutions will the people in Mr. Elderfield's office be quick enough to turn it around, decide that it has not worked and suggest how to move on with it?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Has Mr. Elderfield been frustrated by the banks?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Does Mr. Elderfield believe the banks are steadfast behind these targets now and that they will deliver on them?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: The banks were bailed out by the taxpayer. They are in a catch-22 in that they are trying to get more money in to get out of public hands but they must do deals on mortgage arrears as well. When are the next stress tests due on the banks?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: As I was not present for the final part of the previous discussion, I wish to confirm that I have never been contacted by a Minister or departmental official in connection with my dealings with the Committee of Public Accounts. I welcome Mr. Elderfield and note that he had just started his job when he last appeared before us. This appearance coincides with his departure from his current...

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: On his previous appearance before the committee, Mr. Elderfield expressed concern about the skills mix of his staff. Has this issue been addressed in the past three years?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: What has been the position regarding staff turnover since Mr. Elderfield was appointed?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: A number of individuals were appointed to senior management positions in the Central Bank at the same time as or shortly after Mr. Elderfield's appointment. For example, the director of enforcement at the bank, Mr. Peter Oakes, moved on a number of months ago.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Are the individuals in question moving on for any specific reason or is it a natural phenomenon?

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Were insiders appointed to the vacant positions? These were individuals who were already employed in the Central Bank.

Public Accounts Committee: Special Report No. 72 of the Comptroller and Auditor General: Financial Regulator (Resumed) (13 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: Mr. Elderfield has been vocal on the issue of mortgage arrears, the banks and the way in which the domestic economy is struggling. More than 126,000 mortgages are in arrears. What is his estimate of what the figure will be in the next six, 12 and 18 months?

Finance (Local Property Tax Repeal) Bill 2013 [Private Members]: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I am grateful for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. I agree with much of what Deputy Dara Murphy said in his contribution. When one considers the level of the deficit we faced when we came into Government, there were no easy choices. This certainly is not a popular tax, as has been stated. There is no point in saying otherwise. However, the decision was either to take this option or...

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driving Licence Issues (11 Jun 2013)

Paul Connaughton: 1100. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the towing of car trailers; if he wil outline the regulations regarding same; if there are any new regulations being considered; if an awareness campaign is planned in relation to this; the steps available to persons wishing to comply with these regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27603/13]

Social Welfare and Pensions (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2013: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 May 2013)

Paul Connaughton: I wish to share time with Deputies Noel Harrington, Jim Daly and Seán Kyne.