Results 15,161-15,180 of 32,726 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: NAMA Transactions (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised that the formal response to the UN joint communication relating to housing will be delivered by the Tánaiste in early May and that input for this response is currently being gathered, including in my Department. In the context of the UN communication relating to NAMA, I wish to clarify a number of points.  First, I am advised that the reference to a figure of 93% in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Industry (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I agree with the Deputy that the matter has to move beyond simply attacking those within the industry. That is why the work the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, has done is so important because he is looking to tackle some of the root issues that are contributing to this problem. I also agree with the Deputy that if costs in this area for those who are providing insurance are high, and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Industry (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Regarding the timelines the Deputy restated on the basis of what I said to him a moment ago, that is correct. However, to be clear again it is a matter for the judicial council, when implemented, and the content of its guidelines. If the House or I as Minister begin to determine or look to influence its work it would set us down a path of undermining the council and the effect it may have...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am very conscious of the difficulties being faced by certain small businesses in obtaining insurance and that a number of such businesses have had to close or are facing closure if they are unable to get cover. I believe that the issue of the rising cost of insurance and, in some cases its unavailability, is linked to high award levels particularly for soft tissue injuries, as well as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I absolutely understand the severity of the issues Deputy Burton is referring to. The Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, has outlined the different steps that Government is taking to respond to what I know is a very serious matter in our economy and society. He has been in very regular contact with An Garda Síochána and the Garda Commissioner about many aspects of this issue. He...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government is willing to reform. I am aware for example that one sentence has already been handed down for some of the criminal activity that has caused the difficulties facing citizens. I fully accept that this issue is having a very strong effect on the operation of business within our society and the delivery of services and activities that matter to our citizens. I refer to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Industry (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I will refer to the actions that have been taken because the Deputy is correct that this is a matter that has dominated priority questions but as I am sure he will appreciate regardless of whether it is dominating these questions I am aware of how serious the issue is and of the work that the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, is doing to tackle this issue. Before I answer the Deputy's...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Central Bank of Ireland Reports (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to introducing a Central Bank (amendment) Bill that will increase individual accountability in the financial sector. As I have stated previously, the need to rebuild trust in the banking sector is a priority for this Government. Indeed, international evidence illustrates that improvements in banking culture, through increased individual...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Central Bank of Ireland Reports (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: My message to the House is very clear. I am going to bring in this legislation as soon as possible. There are many delicate constitutional matters that we have to deal with and I am determined that we will deal with them. I refer in particular to Articles 37 and 38 of the Constitution, which concern the limits to which judicial powers can be exercised other than by the courts and the right...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Central Bank of Ireland Reports (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I will reaffirm again my determination that this Bill be implemented as soon as possible. The Deputy mentioned what citizens want to hear about the ability of such legislation to be effectively implemented. This has to be done in a way that is fully consistent with our Constitution. When the legislation is used, it must be capable of withstanding legal challenge. That is what we are going...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Property Tax Review (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Three points were put to me. First, in terms of the number of properties that are covered by the exemption to which the Deputy referred, the figure he used is higher than figures that have been shared with me to date.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Property Tax Review (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I do not have the figure available to me now, but I will share it with the Deputy and I will come back to him on it. In relation to his second question on whether concerns were raised with me, the advice that I have received on this matter showed that it is within the power that is available to me to continue with the deferral for one year on the basis of an order. In response to when I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Property Tax Review (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The review I initiated of the local property tax has been completed by the Department of Finance in conjunction with the Departments of the Taoiseach, Public Expenditure and Reform and Housing, Planning and Local Government, as well as the Revenue Commissioners. In accordance with its terms of reference, the review focused on the impact of house prices on LPT liabilities under a series of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Property Tax Review (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: On the Deputy’s question about receiving legal advice on this course of action, yes, I had an extensive amount of engagement within the Government on this issue. I believe a deferral of one year, while showing that I intend to use that period in order to gain agreement for the future of this tax and its retention, is well inside the space of what can be deemed constitutional. I...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Preparations (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by Revenue that significant work has been undertaken in preparation for post-Brexit Customs checks at Rosslare Europort. The Office of Public Works are responsible for the delivery of the necessary infrastructure and in preparation for the no-deal scenario, temporary facilities were installed in Rosslare Harbour including public office facilities, basic driver comfort facilities...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Competitiveness (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 98 together. Our economy continues to grow at a robust pace, with GDP growth of 6.7 per cent in 2018. As a result, Ireland continues to be one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. I would like to stress that while the headline GDP figure can be exaggerated in an Irish context, other indicators such as consumer spending, modified domestic...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: As I have indicated previously to the Deputy, it is important to keep the market for the provision of financial services under review to ensure that the level of consumer protection continues to be robust.  In this context, last summer I asked Mr. Michael Tutty to conduct a review of the PCP market and regulatory structure and his report was subsequently published by my Department in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Union Lending (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: This is a question that has been asked, and answered, many times. I last answered it in Dail myself in mid February this year (PQ 1750/19) and my colleague Minister English also answered a similar question at his oral Parliamentary Questions last week. Each time it has clearly been stated that the Government is not, and has never committed to, establishing a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware of recently expressed concerns to which the Deputy refers, in relation to the potential effect investors adopting the 'buy to rent' model are having on the Irish property market. I would like to advise the Deputy that my Department actively monitors developments in this sector on an ongoing basis, and has recently published a paper on Institutional Investment in the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision (17 Apr 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am conscious of the difficulties that the absence or withdrawal of flood insurance cover can cause to homeowners and businesses, and that is one of the reasons the Government has been prioritising investment in flood defences over the last number of years. However, you should be aware that the provision of insurance is a commercial matter for insurance companies, which has to be based...