Results 15,901-15,920 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (1 Dec 2015)

Michael McGrath: 502. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for an electronic device for a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [42454/15]

Planning and Development (Urgent Social Housing Supply) Policy Directive 2015: Motion (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: There was nothing but mumbo jumbo in the Minister of State's speech.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: My party objects to the guillotining of this in 20 minutes. Twenty minutes is a ridiculously short timeframe to debate an important issue. We support the taking of action to deal with this issue but 20 minutes is an insult, with no opportunity for Opposition spokespersons and Deputies to put questions to the Minister.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: For example, can we have an assurance that the Attorney General has given the legal approval to this in the sense that temporary accommodation, which is undefined in terms of the duration, is fully legally proofed? These are important questions. We do not want this initiative to blow up in the Government's face. It needs to be dealt with in a mature and responsible way and we need to...

Order of Business (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: We object to the Order of Business. This Government promised to end the use of guillotines but we have a flurry of guillotines in today's order. Our Whip objected to this at the Whips' meeting last evening. Many of these issues do not need a guillotine and we can debate them appropriately, like adults. For example, yesterday the Finance Bill went through its Remaining Stages in the House...

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: The bottom line is that the sanctions available to the Central Bank are not strong enough. That is the issue we need to deal with. The banks are not afraid of the possible sanctions that the Central Bank can impose. It is a function of this House and of the Executive to bring forward proposals to deal with that. Since 2010 the Central Bank has been trying to deal with this issue....

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: Permanent TSB went to the steps of the Supreme Court in this land to deny customers their contractual rights. How can an ordinary family deal with that situation? It is simply not fair. What we are dealing with here is a scandal. We need more than sympathy from Government. The individuals and families affected on a day-to-day basis by this issue need action to help them to deal with it....

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: They will be denied the right to any recourse. That is simply not acceptable.

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: We also have a series of public interest directors in the banks, whom the Minister for Finance should be talking to. They should be asking questions on behalf of the State and customers in respect of what the banks are doing. There are a number of examples of what can be done. The Central Bank and the Government need to speak the language that the banks understand, because they have not...

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: If it means that, in order to protect consumers, heads have to roll or far more serious fines have to be imposed-----

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: If it means additional capital requirements have to be put in place in respect of banks, where they are clearly breaching the rights of consumers, then so be it. The Government will find support on this side of the House to achieve that.

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: That is a broader issue.

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: It is about powers.

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: Tuesday night's RTE "Prime Time" programme made for shocking viewing. It exposed the scandal of banks denying mortgage customers their contractual right to return to a tracker rate following a period of time on a fixed or variable rate. Customers have been forced to go through the banks' own internal appeal systems, the Financial Services Ombudsman, the Central Bank, and the courts system...

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: There is a widespread suspicion that banks have been using subtle tactics, and in some cases not so subtle tactics, in recent years to nudge customers off the tracker rate they are entitled to. The banks have no fear of the Central Bank on this issue and that is the sad reality. They are not afraid of a slap on the wrist. The truth is that the Central Bank has been examining this issue...

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: -----fines will be imposed which will hurt them, and additional capital requirements will be imposed on financial institutions that breach the consumer code of conduct and where consumer rights are not being protected. Is the Government going to stand idly by and allow this practice to continue?

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: What is the Government going to do to end this scandal which is being perpetrated on an unknown number of customers who are being denied their contractual rights?

Leaders' Questions (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: You cannot get away from it.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Tax Rate (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 66. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on concerns regarding the postponing of the planned revaluation of properties for purposes of the local property tax; the basis under which this postponement is based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42250/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank of Ireland (26 Nov 2015)

Michael McGrath: 67. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of staff in the Central Bank of Ireland who received bonus or retention payments in 2014; the total level of such payments; if his permission for these payments was sought or granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42251/15]