Results 15,361-15,380 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: I thank every Deputy who contributed to the useful and constructive debate in the House over the past two nights. I acknowledge again the presence in the Gallery of members of the fair mortgage rates campaign group which has been lobbying and campaigning on this issue for some time. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan raised a number of the issues arising from the Minister' speech last night, which I had...

Other Questions: Motor Insurance (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: This issue cannot wait until the end of the year. Many factors are involved in the dramatic escalation in motor insurance premiums, including court awards, the need for a review of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, legal costs, false and exaggerated claims, regulatory oversight and the lack of transparency regarding the profits earned by insurance companies. All these issues must be...

Other Questions: NAMA Social Housing Provision (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 7. To ask the Minister for Finance if the National Asset Management Agency is on track to deliver on its commitment tp provide 20,000 housing units; if it plans to revise the proportion which will be delivered as social housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10515/16]

Other Questions: Motor Insurance (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: As the Minister rightly said, there is shared concern right across the House about the escalation in motor insurance premium costs. The official statistics from the CSO show increases of 34% in the past 12 months. Premiums are up by a whopping 60% since January 2014. I accept that the Government does not control motor insurance premiums. As the Minister knows, I have advocated for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: This issue will have to be resolved because we are going to be spending hundreds of millions of euro on flood relief schemes over the next number of years which will include demountable defences. Demountable defences have proven to be successful in the towns across Ireland where they have been employed, yet they are not recognised by the insurance industry as being of the same standard as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 5. To ask the Minister for Finance the level of draw-down of loans to developers for residential housing related projects from the fund for house building established in 2015 by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund; his views on the operation of this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10763/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: Most Members of the House will agree that the single most important issue facing the country is the housing crisis. It has many facets, but one essential ingredient in resolving the crisis is the boosting of supply, including private supply. One of the barriers to increased housing supply by the private sector is access to finance. I welcomed the fund last year notwithstanding that it had...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Investments (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the fact that the NTMA is looking at the option of new funding models. That work is badly needed. We are all well aware of the mistakes made in the banking system overextending itself to the construction industry up to 2007 or 2008 and nobody is advocating a repeat of that history. However, we now have the opposite problem that access to finance is a huge issue. If we are going...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 4. To ask the Minister for Finance his progress in ensuring flood insurance cover is available to households in areas where remedial works have been carried out by the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10516/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: The focus of my question relates to areas where the OPW has completed flood relief schemes at great cost to the taxpayer and where insurance companies have refused to reinstate flood cover, both for homes and businesses. I know the Government met with the insurance companies in January. I understand there is an interdepartmental group due to report this month. The Minister might confirm if...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Financial Services Regulation (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 1. To ask the Minister for Finance to extend the Consumer Protection (Regulation of Credit Servicing Firms) Act 2015 to the owners of credit and to ensure that non-bank lenders and vulture funds are fully regulated in a manner that adequately protects mortgage holders, tenants and small and medium enterprises from unfair practices by entities with a short-term investment horizon; and if he...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Financial Services Regulation (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. The agreement which Fianna Fáil entered into with Fine Gael and the programme for Government Fine Gael has agreed with the Independents refers to the issue of providing greater protection for borrowers, including SMEs, mortgage holders and tenants who occupy properties, regarding loans that have been sold to unregulated entities or vulture funds....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Financial Services Regulation (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: My central point is that the owner of the loan not being regulated exposes the borrower to potential risk in that all the important decisions around the restructuring and calling in of the loan and the initiating of enforcement proceedings are taken by the owner of the loan, which is typically a non-regulated entity or vulture fund. This is the case for tens of thousands of mortgages and SME...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Judicial Council Legislation (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 35. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will establish a judicial council with lay representation; if she will provide an effective mechanism for dealing with complaints against judges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10889/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Relief Application (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 40. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will apply proposed changes to capital gains tax entrepreneurship relief, as outlined in the programme for Government, to newly established businesses only or also to existing businesses; if it is important to provide clarity in this regard to entrepreneurs who are considering establishing businesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Forms (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 43. To ask the Minister for Finance the years for which the Revenue Commissioners holds P60s for a person (details supplied) and which could be supplied to that person. [10802/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 44. To ask the Minister for Finance to clarify the circumstances a person can access funds in an approved minimum retirement fund prior to reaching 75 years of age; if he will clarify the application of the Revenue Commissioner's triviality clause in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10803/16]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Event Licensing Regulations (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 103. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a permit is required from her Department or from An Garda Síochána for an event (details supplied). [10793/16]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Event Licensing Regulations (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 111. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if a permit is required from his Department or from the relevant local authority for an event (details supplied) [10792/16]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: European Court of Justice Rulings (18 May 2016)

Michael McGrath: 125. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if the decision of the European Court of Justice in April 2013 has a wider implication beyond the case of the former Waterford Crystal workers; if the application of the finding relates to other pension schemes; to provide a list of such schemes; the period over which such schemes may be affected by the ruling; the details of the State's...