Results 1,721-1,740 of 7,975 for speaker:Joe Higgins

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: Mr. Moran advises NAMA in certain aspects. Quoting again from the book by Deputy Shane Ross and Nick Webb:Jones Lang Lasalle was able to keep afloat through hefty fees from NAMA [after the crash]. In September 2011, John Moran said that the company's work for NAMA was relatively good for us in 2010. He was putting it mildly. The former firm was the biggest recipient of valuation fees from...

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: Was the firm----

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: Was it cushioned by being engaged with NAMA?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: Mr. Moran approved of the real safe investment trusts, bringing in foreign investment into a distressed market, as I understand it. He said that such people were sometimes referred to as vulture funds. Is it socially beneficial that tenants are at the mercy of vulture funds, in Mr. Moran's view as an estate agent who sees various aspects of the situation?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: Is it inevitable that vulture funds, so-called, coming in for short-term periods will increase rents? Does Mr. Moran favour rent control legislation?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: On page 2 of Ms Hunt's written submission, she states:The research function at CBRE Ireland that I head up is modelled on the research platform in CBRE offices worldwide ... Having access to accurate and timely market information on trends and transactions is vital to CBRE in being able to accurately assess the commercial real estate market and provide the best qualitative and quantitative...

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: Was Professor Morgan Kelly also scaremongering, to use Ms Hunt's word, in December 2006 when he said in an article in The Irish Times, "If the experiences of economies similar to ours are anything to go by, we may be looking at large and prolonged falls in real house prices of the order of 40-50 per cent and a collapse of house-building activity"?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: Professor Kelly cited several historical examples, dating back to 1970, of cycles of housing booms and busts. Did Ms Hunt remark on the studies he had carried out such as the one for his report for the ESRI in 2007?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: If Professor Morgan Kelly could base his very accurate prediction on historical precedents and cycles, why did CBRE not get it?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (2 Apr 2015)

Joe Higgins: In Ms Hunt's research report of March 2005 on the development land market she said: "The landmark sale by CB Richard Ellis Gunne in late 2004 of the 11 acre Grange Castle site in Stillorgan for approximately €87 million ended what was a very busy year". That site was bought by a syndicate of rich people and Ms Hunt's company had organised the sale. After the syndicate had held on to...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed): Economic Management Council (31 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: 5. To ask the Taoiseach his views on the continuation of the Economic Management Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5464/15]

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: Mr. O'Regan said "there was no conscious attempt on my part, or on the part of the newspaper, to fuel what has been described as the property boom". The Irish Independent, from 2003 to 2008, gave substantial coverage and sponsored and promoted the property awards. In 2004, for example, this is the type of coverage that was over many pages and it was described in 2004 as "A glittering...

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: The commercial property expert said: "No deal is too big, no proposition too ambitious for today's property professionals. The world is their stage." Going forward to Mr. O'Regan's own period particularly, in 2007 we have further very substantial coverage and again the property editor wrote, "Tribute was paid to the risk takers who are flying the Irish property flag at home and abroad ......

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: Mr. O'Regan has explained that but the time is short. If he does not consider that it fuelled the property boom, did it glamorise the property boom?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: I am not asking Mr. O'Regan that. I am asking him if he considers that this type of extensive coverage fuelled the property boom, if it glamorised it, never mind what happened later.

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: I do not have time. I know there were what are called contrarian views.

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: What I am posing is the predominant editorial line. I have put the questions to Mr. O'Regan but I want to move forward quickly.

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: Our inquiry research team has shown on hard data that between 1996 and 2006, the price of an ordinary home increased each year for ten years by the equivalent of the average industrial wage. By common consent there was rampant profiteering in the housing market and in speculation on building land. Did Mr. O'Regan ever launch a project of investigative journalism to uncover the rampant...

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: What was known was the massive increase in house prices and rampant speculation in building land, including by people who got some of the glittering awards from INM. Did the group ever launch a project of investigative journalism to uncover the level of profiteering and how it impacted very negatively on a young generation of people trying to buy homes?

Committee of Inquiry into the Banking Crisis: Context Phase (26 Mar 2015)

Joe Higgins: Did the newspaper ever try to get to the heart of who was profiteering among the developers and the bankers?