Results 121-140 of 431 for speaker:Lorraine Higgins
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters: Family Support Services (12 Nov 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: I ask for a review of the policy to no longer fund Home Start services in Athenry, County Galway. In light of recent Exchequer figures and the more healthy economic position, it may be a good time to review cuts to such essential services. Home Start, Athenry, is a scheme through which volunteers offer support to parents and young children through weekly home visits. Volunteers offer...
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: I raise an issue in light of the report from the Garda Inspectorate in which a number of key recommendations were made concerning the running of the police force. I refer particularly to the penalty points process, which has been the subject of-----
- Seanad: Order of Business (12 Nov 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: -----much debate in recent times. That one can appeal penalty points to a Garda superintendent, who can then cancel the points, seems odd in light of the fact that gardaí should not make judgments on appeals pertaining to their own decisions. Quite simply, it is nonsensical to allow the prosecuting authorities to decide on issues relating to penalties imposed by themselves. I suggest...
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters: NAMA Property Sales (6 Nov 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: I thank the Minister of State for her response and take her views on board. I note her reference to openly marketing properties, but I was referring to the fact that a new company was set up with new directors who had no prior corporate relationship and, therefore, the question of a conflict of interest did not arise. There could not be a conflict of interest because they had no established...
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters: NAMA Property Sales (6 Nov 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: It was the subject of court proceedings in America-----
- Seanad: Adjournment Matters: NAMA Property Sales (6 Nov 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for taking this matter on the Adjournment. It was reported in the national media in recent weeks that a property sold at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin for €7.5 million in 2012 was flipped, so to speak, just over a year later for €18 million by NAMA, representing a 136% increase in price. This is astounding and not reflective...
- Seanad: Order of Business (5 Nov 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: I wish to raise an issue relating to how medical cards are awarded to people in this country. Like many of my Oireachtas colleagues, time after time people come to my clinic with illnesses so grave that it beggars belief they do not satisfy the requirements for a discretionary card if they fail under other criteria. Numerous people have contacted me about the fact their cards have been...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: It was reported in the national media in recent days that a property sold by NAMA one year ago managed to achieve a 136% increase in price when sold on earlier this year, which is astounding and not reflective of the Irish commercial property price increases that have been recorded in the past year. It raises the question of whether it was sold under value in the first instance and, if so,...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: Would Mr. McDonagh not agree that 136% is an astounding amount for the Irish taxpayer to lose out on?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: It does not make sense.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: I am not from a corporate background but I believe it would make eminent sense when all the forecasts suggest that the Irish property market would improve. Mr. McDonagh said earlier that there were a limited number of these types of property for sale in the Dublin docklands region. Many international investors are considering investing in Ireland. If we take a figure of €7.5...
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: I understand it was a year later. It was reported in 2013.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: What month in 2012?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: So it was a year and a half later.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: And an increase of 136%. It is astounding.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: And a huge loss.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: Does Mr. McDonagh not think it is a huge loss to the Irish taxpayer?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: Were there bidders offering more than what was given?
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: And a loss to the Irish taxpayer, ultimately, which is my concern.
- Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Operations and Functions: National Asset Management Agency (22 Oct 2014)
Lorraine Higgins: The forecasts-----