Results 241-260 of 4,002 for speaker:Rose Conway Walsh

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: I have one question. I have welcomed the Bill previously. In particular, I welcome the intention to take any amendments or alterations that would enhance the Bill in any way. My question relates to vulture funds. I am rather concerned about mortgages, including variable rate mortgages, that are being bought up by vulture funds. Will this Bill give those affected any assurance in terms of...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: My question relates to mortgage rates. It is of no use having that relationship with the intermediary under this Bill. Am I correct? Would it have any impact, even some limited impact, when we refer to the intermediary as opposed to the owner?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: I understand that. Can the owner decide on the rate without any reference to how the intermediary might be bound by this legislation? Is that the position regardless of whether the rate is 5%, 7%, 10% or whatever? Can the owner of the loan decide on the rate to charge for the mortgage that has been purchased?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: So it will not stop the setting of whatever rates the vulture funds deem necessary. This particular Bill will not but-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: It could but we are not sure yet. That is as far as we can get.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: I thank the witnesses for their excellent presentation. What would be natural and fair rates? The presentation referred to the Netherlands but given what we have been through, is there an argument that Irish rates should be higher than other wealthy western European countries for the foreseeable future as a result of the legacy? Is there a legacy cost or do the witnesses think we should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: I agree with Mr. Burgess, by the way, but I believe it is important in this forum for us to get his opinion, as other people will be involved in the discussions around this. The legacy issues should really not be determining what is happening now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: Not current rates. Does Mr. Burgess believe, in his view, that there are natural or fair rates? I know he says he would not stick to an exact rate but does he think, having examined all the European rates, there is a rate that would be fair and reasonable?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: The Central Bank has made new regulations and guidelines that are supposed to make the switching easier. Has Mr. Burgess seen any positive effect of those moves at all?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: With regard to new entrants to the market, is Mr. Burgess aware of any that are offering mortgages to people who are in negative equity, or in arrears or who have had their mortgage restructured?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: In terms of the new entrants that are offering mortgages-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: -----or the new mortgages that are being offered, I am trying to get to the bottom of this. This switching idea is put out there as an option-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: -----but we find that it is not an option for those people who are in negative equity, those whose loans have been restructured or those whose loans are in arrears. Is that Mr. Burgess' experience of this?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: Yes.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: And is it likewise in terms of arrears?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: So one is stuck. With regard to quantitative easing, I have grave concerns about what happens when the European quantitative easing stops. I do not think that people fully understand the extent of the quantitative easing and how that has been played. It has almost been put under the radar. It is propping up the whole system which is extremely vulnerable. What does Mr. Burgess believe...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Central Bank (Variable Rate Mortgages) Bill 2016: Discussion (20 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: What effect might the first-time buyer scheme have on mortgage rates? We hear that the qualifying criterion of loan-to-value might drop to 70%. What is Mr. Burgess' opinion on that?

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: I am glad that cleared that up. I refer to the report on media ownership in Ireland that my Sinn Féin colleague, Lynn Boylan, MEP, launched yesterday. The report, which examines the effect the concentration of media ownership has on the democratic process, was compiled by Caoilfhionn Gallagher and Jonathan Price of Doughty Street Chambers-----

Seanad: Order of Business (25 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: -----and Gavin Booth - I think the authors of this report should be commended – and Darragh Mackin of KRW Law. I acknowledge Lynn’s initiative and steadfastness in confronting the elephant in the room of Irish politics and media. The report states: “we consider there to be a perfect storm which poses grave risks to freedom of expression and media pluralism in the Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Priorities of Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Discussion (25 Oct 2016)

Rose Conway Walsh: Some of my questions were already answered. The main problem with the Department's staff being cut by a third is that it is reflected on the ground in the relationship between the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the farming community. At one time the Department was portrayed as always having somebody at the end of the telephone to give advice. The further automation of...