Results 16,361-16,380 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 125. To ask the Minister for Finance the current position regarding the payment of claims due by Setanta Insurance following the recent court ruling regarding the role of the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland; the level of payments that are expected to be made; the approximate timeframe for this matter to be dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32866/15]

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: My question is on the same subject. This has been a shambles from the beginning because when Setanta Insurance was liquidated in April last year, we were told initially on the record of the House that the MIBI would be responsible. Subsequently, the bureau received legal advice to the contrary and the issue ended up before the courts because another arm of the State took the MIBI to court....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2016 (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. Can he clarify that, in terms of taxation, he has a potential envelope of up to €750 million? Is that the quantum of net new measures on the taxation side? Obviously it is open to the Minister to increase taxation in certain areas and he has made some comments in that direction. Therefore, is he talking about net new tax measures of up to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2016 (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: I have a supplementary question on that. Given that the economic data are changing constantly and, thankfully, are moving in a positive direction in terms of employment and Exchequer figures - I presume that in the next two or three days the Minister will receive the Exchequer figures for September - is there scope to go beyond that overall envelope if the updated information is more...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2016 (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 121. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the constraints on budget 2016 tax decisions arising from European Union and domestic rules; the impact of the carrying forward of previous taxation measures on the scope for tax changes in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33183/15]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Budget 2016 (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: Budget day is just two weeks away, as the Minister well knows. The fiscal space of €1.2 billion to €1.5 billion was announced by the Government back in April. The purpose of my question is to bring that announcement up to date and focus, in particular, on the taxation side. The Minister has said it is his intention to split the expenditure and tax sides broadly evenly, so...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: Reading between the lines, it sounds as if the Minister has made up his mind that the banks have gone far enough to satisfy him. I believe he is letting the banks off the hook, because they have not gone far enough. Yes, there have been improvements in the product offering, the fixed rates have come down and the managed variable rates are an innovation, but for many customers who are in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: For some customers.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: It is very difficult to switch.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: It is not easy to do.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. Several banks have introduced new options, which are always a good thing, but these options are very selective. They are of most benefit to new customers in particular. Many existing customers continue to be discriminated against and the options simply are not for everyone. The following are the actual standard variable rates still being charged by...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 118. To ask the Minister for Finance his views that reductions in fixed mortgage rates offered by the banks represent an inadequate response to the widespread public concern over high variable rates; that it is important that all domestic banks reduce their core variable rate product offering; his plans to address high mortgage rates by the non-deposit taking retail credit, sub-prime, sector;...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: The Minister for Finance is very familiar with the topic of high variable interest rates being charged on up to 300,000 mortgage customers. The purpose of this question is to put it back on the political agenda. Some progress, albeit modest, has been made on this issue which has been firmly put on the political agenda. I believe the Minister is in the middle of a second round of, or has...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Legislative Measures (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 132. To ask the Minister for Finance if he has signed the remaining provisions of the Credit Union Act 2012 into law; his views on the concerns expressed by the credit union sector in relation to these provisions, particularly regarding the cap on deposits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32867/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Home Repossession (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 140. To ask the Minister for Finance his views regarding the Supreme Court ruling as a result of which a financial institution may be granted an order for home repossession, even if that institution has failed to comply with the code of conduct on mortgage arrears; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32865/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Lending (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 143. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to request the Central Bank of Ireland to carry out a review of the current mortgage lending rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32863/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Portfolio (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 254. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of land the National Asset Management Agency controls which is already zoned for housing; the way in which the agency will assist in expediting the provision of social and for-profit housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33163/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Agencies Expenditure (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 250. To ask the Minister for Finance in relation to the announcement by the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund of a €500 million home building finance joint venture with an investment firm (details supplied), the amount that has been drawn down to date; the number of housing units which will be constructed as a result of the drawdown to date; the average interest rate which applies to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Exemptions (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 251. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of cases where dwelling house exemption from capital acquisitions tax was claimed and granted in each year from 2008 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33160/15]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Receivers (29 Sep 2015)

Michael McGrath: 252. To ask the Minister for Finance the role of receivers appointed to properties controlled by the National Asset Management Agency; if he is aware of the number of cases where the receivers have given tenants notice to quit on the basis that properties are to be sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33161/15]