Leaders’ QuestionsWednesday, 19 October 2011 |
Dáil Éireann Debate
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Deputy Micheál Martin:
I am sure the Taoiseach will agree this is a very difficult and shattering morning for employees in Aviva, given that the company has confirmed that there will be up to 950 job losses. This is a devastating blow to workers, their families, the surrounding communities and the economy in general. It will be felt particularly by those working in Dublin, Cork and Galway.
Last September Aviva confirmed a company review in which job losses of this magnitude were flagged. At the time the Taoiseach stated he was “concerned” about the uncertainty caused by the announcements made at that stage and the comments in the media, which caused great anxiety for those who worked in Aviva. He added that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, and representatives of the IDA would be in direct contact with the company. Yesterday, the Minister stated he had been briefed by the company last week on some of the issues involved. He also indicated that they had discussed opportunities which the IDA had identified in respect of the company’s long-term plans and that the final details would be discussed with the company’s workforce. I understand that is happening.
There is a big difference, however, between being briefed and engaging with a company. What issues were discussed between the Minister and personnel from Aviva? Were measures taken to address areas of concern in Aviva to prevent the extensive job losses which have now been confirmed? Since the flagging of job losses in September, has the Taoiseach met or been in direct contact with Aviva headquarters to try to avert these extensive job losses or deal with these issues with the company? Specifically, has he met the chief executive officer of Aviva Europe, Mr. Igal Mayer, who I understand is in Dublin this morning?
The Taoiseach:
This is an awful day for employees at Aviva. Those of us who have served in this House during the years will have experienced the shock, anxiety and consequences of job losses of any scale. Jobs give people dignity and the opportunity to contribute to the local economy, as well as to maintain their own lifestyle and family life. In that respect, I share the empathy of everybody in the House at the announcement made by Aviva management to workers in the Irish centres. It was in 2009 when Aviva announced its intention to restructure its 12 separate businesses across Europe, excluding the United Kingdom and the Benelux countries. This process has been ongoing since and there has been a series of leaks, rumours and speculation, which has added to the concern and anxiety of the workforce.
[326]I do not have a copy of Aviva’s formal statement. I did not meet the European chief executive, but, as far as I know, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation met local, regional and European managers. When this first became known some time ago, there was an offer to have IDA Ireland stand ready to assist the company with the new outsourced jobs referred to to be based in Ireland but which would deal with issues arising abroad. IDA Ireland can only deal with that element of the company. I understand from reports that the jobs referred to will be based in Ireland. I also understand the details of the announcement made will take effect from March next year for two years. Deputy Martin is aware that Aviva acquired Hibernian, a company of long-standing in Ireland, and many of the workforce were employed by Hibernian in the first instance.
This is a stark reminder of what the Government must do in facing the competitiveness challenge for a range of companies and employment creation in general. The Deputy is also aware that the Clearing House Group of the Irish Financial Services Centre, IFSC, which is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of the Taoiseach, is constantly considering the question of the further attraction of insurance jobs to Ireland. There has been much success in this regard in the IFSC. What is happening is a major shock for those directly involved and a stark reminder to everybody of the long road we must travel to have our competitiveness at a level at which we can protect jobs across the spectrum and grow the economy to a point where we will enjoy prosperity and create opportunities for all the people.
Like the Deputy, I feel for the employees of Aviva and, in so far as the Government can assist, it will. IDA Ireland has already been instructed by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to work with the company where it can do so, but it remains to be seen what details are being given to the workers about the redundancy packages on offer, etc. I understand the decision will take effect from March next year for two years. We must focus continuously on what we must do as a country to have our competitiveness level right in order that we will be able to withstand such shocks. I empathise with the Deputy on his point about the distress caused for some workers this morning.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
I am disappointed the Taoiseach did not engage with the company, given the concerns he articulated in the Dáil last September. Given the scale of the job losses announced, close to 1,000, I do not get a sense from the Taoiseach’s comments that there has been real engagement by the Government with the company either to restructure or otherwise avert some of the job losses announced. What we are hearing from the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, is about making contact and briefings. That is a far cry from actively and proactively engaging to try to change the situation, difficult and all as it may be. The Taoiseach knows the details announced this morning, as does the Minister. This is the national Parliament. The full details should be confirmed in the House because the Taoiseach knows every detail of what is being announced——
An Ceann Comhairle:
Will the Deputy ask a question, please?
Deputy Micheál Martin:
——as the Minister has confirmed. In addition, in that context, will the European Stabilisation Fund be applied and activated? Has the Taoiseach received any indication from other companies in the insurance sector about job losses? Has he had direct contact with the leaders of the industry? He mentioned the Clearing House Group. The announcement could signal a serious issue within the insurance sector generally. I hope it does not, nonetheless, it flags an issue. In that context, has the Government dealt with the sector generally to avert future job losses and provide alternatives for the jobs lost?
[327]An Ceann Comhairle:
Before the Taoiseach replies, I have already selected this matter as the subject of a Topical Issue debate later in the day.
The Taoiseach:
The answer to Deputy Martin’s question is that I do not have all the details of the announcement. I understand management is speaking to the workforce. The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has been speaking to the company directly, which is his responsibility.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
He knows.
The Taoiseach:
He has instructed IDA Ireland to work with the company to see what it can do. When I was in the IFSC recently, I talked to a range of facility providers. The Deputy is aware of the extent of employment provided in the IFSC. I have had no other contact with any insurance company about employment.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
The Taoiseach should have, given what has happened. That is the point.
The Taoiseach:
The Deputy should allow me to finish my sentence. He asked me a loaded question as to whether I had been contacted by another insurance company about any other announcement to be made.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
No, I did not ask that question.
An Ceann Comhairle:
Deputy, please.
The Taoiseach:
If Deputy Martin will allow me to finish, I will inform him that I took the opportunity to visit the IFSC——
Deputy Timmy Dooley:
The Taoiseach is spending too much time walking around to talk to people.
The Taoiseach:
——to speak to promoters about their views on how we could enhance our position to continue to attract quality jobs to the country and the IFSC, in particular. That is why I say the situation, unfortunately, is a very stark reminder of the scale of the challenge the country faces in becoming competitive, to protect employment and to be able to create new jobs. If we do not deal with that issue as a country, we will continue to make ourselves uncompetitive.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
That is why the Taoiseach should meet the industry. That is the point.
The Taoiseach:
The Deputy seemed to imply in his question that the Taoiseach of the day had control over Aviva.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
I did not say that.
The Taoiseach:
The decision has been made by the company. The intention to restructure Aviva’s 12 businesses across Europe was notified to the Government in 2009. The process has been ongoing since.
In so far as the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Bruton, is concerned, he has been in touch about the issue with the managers both in this country and internationally.
Deputy Barry Cowen:
The branch office in Rathmines.
[328]The Taoiseach:
The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Quinn, will establish quickly whether EGF support can be accessed by Aviva workers. However, we cannot make such an assessment until we see the details of the redundancies involved. Deputy Martin is aware of this arrangement under European regulations. The Minister for Education and Skills will follow this through. The matter is up for further discussion in the Topical Issue debate as approved by the Ceann Comhairle. We are all concerned about the issue, but in dealing with this problem we want to get it right for the future of the country. That means we must make changes to legal services, the way the health system is structured and the cost base for every industry to ensure the competitiveness of the country as a whole.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Mar a dúirt an Taoiseach, tá a fhios aige go bhfuil oibrithe ag dul ag obair ar maidin chuig Aviva agus fios acu go mbeidh leath dóibh gan post. Is dona an scéal é go bhfuil siad agus a gceardchumann fágtha sa dorchadas faoin bplean atá ag Aviva dóibh ar maidin. Freisin, tá an Taoiseach ag rá go bhfuil seisean gan eolas faoin bplean atá ag Aviva.
Aviva is a profitable company and a big player in the Irish market, with a 20% market share. Its chief executive, Mr. Andrew Moss, claims there is a culture of entitlement in this country and that it must change. He is on a salary of £1.8 million, with the award of at least £1 million in shares and other perks last year. Does the Taoiseach agree that the entitlements of Aviva workers are being set aside to sustain the excesses of elites such as the one to which Mr. Moss belongs? The Taoiseach should have met Aviva representatives. IDA Ireland and other State agencies should have gone through the business plan of the company, particularly given that it gave notice of its review, downsizing and restructuring of the company. Did Department of Finance officials meet representatives of the company and unions to see what could be done to reduce costs and protect as many jobs as possible and, if not, why not?
The Taoiseach:
Ní raibh an Teachta anseo inné nuair a bhí a chomhghleacaí do mo cheistiú faoi phoist agus faoin chruth atá ar dhaoine a bhfuil brú orthu imeacht óna dtithe de bharr droch thógáil. Dúirt mé léi gur botún mór é nach raibh tú anseo.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Chuir mé ceist díreach ar an Taoiseach, ceist shoiléir.
The Taoiseach:
Níl mise ag seasamh anseo ag déanamh ráitis ar son Aviva. Tá siad ag caint leis na hoibrithe agus muid anseo. Níl na mion ráitis agamsa agus mé ag seasamh anseo. I do not determine the salary scales for the employees of Aviva, but I am concerned about the general situation in terms of our competitiveness as a country. This is the difficult road the Government must travel with the people to ensure the country remains competitive and that we can protect jobs, create new ones and achieve my ambition by 2016 of proving that this is the best small country in the world in which to do business. That is why, despite the opposition of the Deputy, we must change the structure of many things in this country such as legal services, the cost of medical services and so many other areas that require to be changed for the betterment of all the people and the economic competitiveness of the country.
The Deputy is aware that industry statistics show that the figures in respect of general motor and home insurance have dropped by 20% in the past two years. That is due to the fact that there are fewer houses, cars and businesses. The figures in respect of life assurance and pensions have dropped by more than 30%. Since 2009 Aviva has been indicating it intends to restructure its 12 businesses across Europe, excluding the United Kingdom and the Benelux countries. That means there is serious concern in this country about the workforce. In so far as the Government is concerned, the facilities and assistance of IDA Ireland will be available. The checking as to whether the European assistance fund can be made available will be carried out rapidly by the Department of Education and Skills. We want to move to a point where we can [329]continue to focus on reducing our cost base, increasing our competitiveness and proving our attractiveness for continued locational investment in this country.
In response to Deputy Martin I said I had met IFSC representatives. The Clearing House Group which works under the auspices of the Department of the Taoiseach will continue to emphasise the essential items we must provide and the actions we must take to ensure the country will continue to be seen as competitive. I do not speak for the Aviva board, but I am concerned about the announcement which will affect so many workers. I understand that from next March for the following two years the outsourced jobs will be based in this country and that IDA Ireland stands ready on the Minister’s instructions to assist the company in so far as it can.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Expressions of serious concern are not good enough. Caithfidh an Taoiseach na poist seo a chosaint. Eisean an Taoiseach agus sin an jab atá aige. He noticed — he said it himself — this was coming since 2009. As he did not answer my question I have to presume the Minister for Finance did not get officials to meet with the company and the unions to see what cost reductions could be brought about.
The Taoiseach lectures me about my opposition. We are for investment in jobs. This Government is not investing any money in jobs. We will not cut our way out of this recession. We will not cut our way out of the difficulties we are in by bringing in the type of budget which he is heralding. We need to invest in job creation and defend citizens. The main focus and responsibility of a Government is to defend the citizens. The workers in Aviva have been treated disgracefully and it is a mark of extreme arrogance that a man who earns £1.8 million plus——
An Ceann Comhairle:
Has the Deputy a question?
Deputy Gerry Adams:
——can say there is a culture of entitlement here. When the Taoiseach speaks about making the country more competitive he is saying in a different way what Mr. Moss has said. It is not good enough.
The Taoiseach:
It is not good enough for the Deputy to equate Mr. Moss’s words with my views on this. He represents the Aviva company. I lead the Government and we have a job to do to make our country competitive.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Represent the workers.
The Taoiseach:
The Deputy stands for jobs, or so he says.
Deputy Ciarán Cannon:
He stands for communism.
The Taoiseach:
There are 300 people from the Priory Hall apartments, built by an acquaintance of the Deputy, who are staying in a hotel at present.
Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin:
No way.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
On a point of order——
The Taoiseach:
He blatantly flouted——
Deputy Gerry Adams:
That is a defamation.
[330]The Taoiseach:
——the planning regulations——
Deputy Gerry Adams:
That is a defamation and should be withdrawn.
An Ceann Comhairle:
Please resume your seat.
The Taoiseach:
——to build a firetrap.
Deputy Dinny McGinley:
Do a Pontius Pilate on it.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
The Taoiseach needs to withdraw that remark.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
We are speaking about 1,000 job losses.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Ceann Comhairle——
An Ceann Comhairle:
Please resume your seat.
The Taoiseach:
Where were the job losses then?
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Níl an Taoiseach ag tabhairt freagraí do na ceisteanna, tá sé ag tabhairt bolscaireachta.
The Taoiseach:
I might finish my point.
An Ceann Comhairle:
Can we stick to the subject, please?
Deputy Shane McEntee:
The truth hurts.
The Taoiseach:
Three hundred people are staying in a hotel because they were moved out of a firetrap by court order.
Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin:
We want that matter to be addressed.
The Taoiseach:
I thank Deputy Ó Caoláin.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Can I have the opportunity to refute what the Taoiseach has said? I am sure the workers of Aviva are delighted with his response.
An Ceann Comhairle:
Please resume your seat.
The Taoiseach:
I advise the leader of the Sinn Féin Party that Deputy Ó Caoláin was always accurate in his views about what should be done. I thank him for that comment. He will not stand by people living in a firetrap with that anxiety and concern.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Nor do we.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
We are supposed to be speaking about Aviva.
Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin:
That man should face the full rigours of the law.
[331]The Taoiseach:
I remind the leader of Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin’s party that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation has responsibility for jobs. He has been speaking with Aviva management.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
You are the Taoiseach and you are a disgrace.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
You were asked serious questions and you came out with this nonsense.
An Ceann Comhairle:
We are over time.
The Taoiseach:
I will say to the Deputy——
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Tell the workers of Aviva what you have just told this Dáil.
The Taoiseach:
Deputy Adams said we are not interested in jobs. That is why the Government renegotiated the minimum wage with the troika.
Deputy Paul Kehoe:
He does not want to hear that.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
That is why the Government is putting €3 billion in a bad bank.
The Taoiseach:
It is why the Government introduced its jobs initiative. It is why the Government reduced the VAT rate across the hospitality sector, with implications for Louth and every other constituency. It is why the Government reduced the rate of PRSI for employers to make it easier to hold on to employees and take on new ones. For the first time ever, we are faced——
Deputy Gerry Adams:
This is a Government that is prepared to give €700 million to unsecured bondholders.
The Taoiseach:
——as a Government, even within those constraints——
Deputy Dara Calleary:
Where is the levy on the insurance industry?
An Ceann Comhairle:
Could we have order please?
The Taoiseach:
We are focusing on jobs, job creation and competitiveness.
Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin:
Nonsense.
The Taoiseach:
It is the Deputy who continuously refuses to recognise reality by coming here with his fantasy economic programmes which would wave a wand and sort these things out.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I call Deputy Higgins.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
Point of order.
An Ceann Comhairle:
What is the Deputy’s point of order?
[332]Deputy Gerry Adams:
The Taoiseach made an entirely untruthful remark to the Dáil and he should be asked to withdraw it.
Deputy Paul Kehoe:
Deputy Adams is new to the Republic and he has a lot of catching up to do.
An Ceann Comhairle:
What entirely untruthful remark did he make?
Deputy Gerry Adams:
The untruthful remark that associates of ours — I am not going to repeat the calumny.
Deputy James Reilly:
He cannot take it.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.
Deputy Brian Stanley:
It was an untrue allegation.
An Ceann Comhairle:
In respect of comments in this House, political charges can be made across the floor.
Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn:
It was not a political charge.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I cannot stop political charges from being made.
Deputy Dessie Ellis:
It was a scurrilous remark.
Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn:
The Taoiseach made a personal accusation against Deputy Adams.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I ask the Deputies to allow me to speak. Deputies are bringing outsiders’ business into this House. These people cannot defend themselves.
Deputy Brian Stanley:
The Taoiseach——
An Ceann Comhairle:
Sorry Deputy, would you stay quiet for a moment? I ask people to remember that when we speak in this Chamber, we are speaking about people who are not here to defend themselves. All sorts of charges are being made. Political charge within this Chamber is permissible.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
That was not a political charge.
An Ceann Comhairle:
The Deputy will be given an opportunity at some stage, when he is in order, to answer that charge. That is political debate. I call Deputy Higgins.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
I need to be advised on what I can do about this.
An Ceann Comhairle:
Sorry Deputy, please resume your seat.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
The Ceann Comhairle told me he did not hear what the Taoiseach said.
An Ceann Comhairle:
At the next available opportunity I will allow the Deputy to respond, once he is within order.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
I want the Ceann Comhairle to make a ruling.
[333]An Ceann Comhairle:
He cannot do it on Leaders’ Question.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
I am asking him to make a ruling.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I made a ruling that a political charge was made and that is the end of it.
Deputy Gerry Adams:
He told me he did not hear what was said.
An Ceann Comhairle:
That is the end of it.
A Deputy: Absolutely disgraceful.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
I blush to think Aviva workers might be looking to us with hope that we might rescue their jobs. On a different issue, is the Taoiseach ashamed to stand in the Dáil the morning after his Minister for Finance crushed the hopes of 300,000 mortgage holders? These mortgage holders, the majority of whom are ordinary people with partners and families, are swamped by negative equity and monthly mortgage payments that devour the bulk of their incomes. The Minister merely regurgitated the Keane report, a banker’s charter written by bankers.
The Government’s attitude to the victims of ruthless blackmail by property speculators and bankers has been insulting and begrudging. It constantly implies that an army of borrowers are waiting to cheat on their mortgages in order to excuse its inaction. Simply by an accident of birth dates, an entire generation is in mortgage bondage to the banks but the Government does not want to know. The Taoiseach knows about the man who fell among thieves while travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was left dazed and badly beaten by the side of the road. The first passersby to come along were a priest and a Levite, who diverted their gaze and no doubt murmured to themselves that he must have done something to deserve it. That is the Government’s response to the victims of the bankers and the developers.
Deputy James Reilly:
The sermon on the mount.
Deputy Emmet Stagg:
The training has not gone astray.
An Ceann Comhairle:
Allow the Deputy to make his point. He is entitled to make his statement.
Deputy Emmet Stagg:
I thought he was asking a question rather than giving a sermon.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I ask Deputy Higgins to proceed with his question.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
The Keane report wants us to be scandalised that writing down rip-off mortgages would amount to €14 billion but the Taoiseach does not even blush when he proposes to gouge the Irish people for at least €47 billion in interest and principal between now and 2031 to compensate the private gamblers in Anglo Irish Bank alone. Negative equity and extortionate monthly payments are a millstone around the necks of not only these 300,000 mortgage holders and their families but also the entire Irish economy, by diverting billions of euro from services and shops that could sustain and create jobs.
Will the Taoiseach take a leap of imagination and policy, for a change, by marking down the rip-off speculative mortgages that people were blackmailed into taking? If the mortgages were marked down to their real value, and the monthly payments were marked down pro rata, a generation would be freed from this nightmare and the burden that is on them. The immense [334]resources that would be freed in such circumstances would regenerate the real economy and sustain and create jobs and services.
The Taoiseach:
I note from the Deputy’s biblical remarks that he has not entirely forgotten about the seminary. I think it was Saul who was on the road to Damascus when he saw the light.
Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett:
The Taoiseach has not seen it.
Deputy Barry Cowen:
He is looking for Damascus.
The Taoiseach:
Deputy Higgins has asked me to take a leap of imagination. I have no difficulty in taking the odd leap of imagination, but I have no intention of taking a leap of madness as he suggests. This is not a matter to be treated lightly. The Keane report identifies 50,000 people who are in serious difficulties with their mortgages. I understand that 70,000 people have made arrangements with their banks for a structure and a framework to deal with their problems. The Deputy is aware that 45,000 householders are now in arrears of more than 90 days. The Keane report proposed ten measures to set out how some people in mortgage difficulties could be dealt with. Some of the proposals included trade-down mortgages, split mortgages and mortgages-to-rent. That is why we are having a two-day debate in the House this week. In fairness, that is why the Government did not object to the Bill proposed by Deputy Michael McGrath in respect of this matter. If it is necessary to talk about it next week, we will do so. The point is that the Minister for Finance wishes to draw down the thread of every constructive proposition that is coming from any Deputy in this House, with a view to arriving at a conclusion that can help people who are in difficulties with their mortgages. I see reports in today’s newspapers about discussions between the troika and the banks.
Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett:
Surely the Taoiseach means “our banks”.
The Taoiseach:
I am not aware of the outcome or the detail of those discussions.
Deputy Timmy Dooley:
The flow of information to the Taoiseach is not very good if he has to read about such discussions in the newspapers.
The Taoiseach:
Every Deputy has met people who are stressed and have mortgage concerns. Some of the people in question have been left bereft as a result of a death or an accident that took place without arrangements being made for such an eventuality. Other people are in difficulty with their businesses and are really strapped because of the conditions they entered into. We want to try to help people who are having serious problems with their mortgages. I do not have €14 billion to write off all the mortgages that are in difficulty. We are trying to consider the best of all the propositions and produce a set of decisions that will help the maximum number of people. I hope Deputy Higgins will make a good contribution to that process.
I will respond to the Deputy’s comments about the European situation. Obviously, the negotiations that were conducted by Ireland and its European colleagues have resulted in serious savings for the Irish taxpayer arising from the interest rate reductions. The Deputy is aware that we are pursuing the possibility, as outlined by the Minister for Finance, of being able to do something about the promissory note that was signed off on. The Deputy will appreciate that the €3 billion which has been committed every year for ten years would help the Government to focus on job initiatives, enterprise and employment. Clearly, there is scope for serious savings to be made by the Irish taxpayer in that area. We will pursue it at every possibility.
[335]Deputy Joe Higgins:
According to the Taoiseach, it is a leap of madness to say that hundreds of thousands of our people should be bailed out from blackmail mortgages that were gouged from them by speculators and developers with the consent of the regulator and the Government.
Deputy Shane McEntee:
With their own consent.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
When I was in here for ten years, the current Taoiseach was silent on the madness that was going on in the property market.
Deputy Bernard J. Durkan:
That is not true.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
He never opposed the blackmail our people were being forced into, as it was happening before his eyes.
Deputy Paul Kehoe:
The Deputy should check the record.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
Apparently, it is a leap of madness that these people should be free from their debt and the economy should be freed up. Rather than paying the bulk of their incomes to the banks, these people should be free to spend their money on services in a way that would create tens of thousands of desperately needed new jobs. The Taoiseach thinks that is a leap of madness, but he does not think it is a leap of madness to give €80 billion or €90 billion to bankers and bond holders whose private debts for private profit we have no responsibility for. The Taoiseach needs to get real. He said he is intent on listening to different ideas. Why did the mortgage arrears working group not bring in home owners and mortgage holders who are in distress?
Deputy Shane Ross:
Hear, hear.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
Why were they not included on the committee?
Deputy Joe Higgins:
Why did it not hear from New Beginning, which has a radical approach to this issue?
Deputy John Halligan:
Why did it not speak to MABS?
Deputy Joe Higgins:
Why did it not bring in representatives of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service so that when the report came out, it was informed by the real world rather than by the agenda of bankers?
Deputy John Halligan:
Exactly.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
The Taoiseach spoke about Saul on the road to Damascus.
An Ceann Comhairle:
Can we have a question, please?
Deputy Joe Higgins:
I wish someone would knock this Government off its horse so it could get an insight into what would really free our people from the horrible purgatory of debt.
An Ceann Comhairle:
We should not have speeches at this point. A question, please.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
In the process, it would help to regenerate and remake our economy.
[336]Deputy Simon Harris:
That is neither a question nor a solution.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
It is time to change course.
An Ceann Comhairle:
What is the Deputy’s question?
Deputy Joe Higgins:
Austerity is a disaster.
An Ceann Comhairle:
We should not have speeches.
The Taoiseach:
I am not sure if Deputy Higgins understands the reality of this country’s loss of economic sovereignty. Does he understand who pays gardaí, nurses, teachers and public servants?
Deputy Colm Keaveney:
And the ULA.
The Taoiseach:
Does he know who fills the ATM machines? If he does not want to recognise what that actually means, he has really taken a leap beyond madness into complete unreality.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
The taxes that pay for those things will be down as long as have a depressed economy.
The Taoiseach:
For the first time in the history of this State, our economic sovereignty is not under our direct control. If we want to make major or minor changes, in most cases we have to renegotiate a memorandum of understanding that was signed off some time ago.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
The Government signed two memorandums in April and July of this year.
The Taoiseach:
Deputy Higgins has completely misinterpreted the attitude of the Government.
Deputy Pat Rabbitte:
We are talking about the November memorandum.
Deputy Micheál Martin:
I remind the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, that his colleague, the Minister for Finance, has confirmed that privatisation will take place.
The Taoiseach:
When we commissioned the Keane report, we always said it would not be a repository of all wisdom. It is a reflection on the issues by good people and has produced ten serious proposals. We could have formed all kinds of committees that would have run for months. That would not have helped the people who are under pressure.
Deputy Bernard J. Durkan:
We are taking action.
The Taoiseach:
We need a swift response to a situation that is a crisis, every minute of every day, for those who are locked into it. Every Deputy, including Deputy Higgins and I, has met such people. Their concerns are palpable.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
They are not heard in the report.
The Taoiseach:
We know about all the things they have had to cut out, take away and reduce. The strain is evident on their faces. The Minister, Deputy Burton, has met many of these people. The Minister of State, Deputy Penrose, will meet representatives of New Beginning. They were in these premises yesterday to express their views and outline their propositions.
[337]Deputy John Halligan:
The Government should have met them before it issued this report.
The Taoiseach:
I am genuine when I say that if anyone here has an initiative or a proposition that is not currently on offer, is not in the Keane report or does not relate to New Beginning, we would like to hear it in the next two days. The Minister for Finance and the Government will respond, within whatever capability we have, by helping as many people as we can. As I said at the outset, it is important to distinguish one fundamental principle. I do not want the roof to be taken from over anybody’s head. I do not want to see that happen. It is also important to distinguish between those who can pay and those who will not pay.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
For heaven’s sake, that is outrageous.
The Taoiseach:
We also have to deal with the introduction of legislation dealing with personal insolvency.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
Where is the army of those who are choosing not to pay?
Deputy James Reilly:
Stop flapping around.
The Taoiseach:
We also have to introduce complex legislation here dealing with the question of personal insolvency.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
It is the undeserving poor all over again.
Deputy Ray Butler:
The Deputy is putting on a show for the media.
The Taoiseach:
The Minister for Justice and Equality hopes to bring that through the House as quickly as possible.
Deputy Joe Higgins:
It is like the Tories.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I want to make one thing quite clear. Each question dealt with under Leaders’ Questions should last seven minutes — two minutes for the person asking the question, three minutes for a reply from the Taoiseach, one minute for a supplementary question and one minute for a reply to that. I will stick rigidly to it. Members are beginning to abuse this by shouting and roaring. I am going to put a stop to it.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I ask those who are in a position to do so to ask their questions and to reply while being conscious of the time. We are now nearly 40 minutes at this, and the situation cannot continue. I put Members on notice that, as and from tomorrow, that is the way it is going to be. Is that understood?
Deputy Micheál Martin:
The Taoiseach keeps going on and on.
Deputy Barry Cowen:
He should stop waffling.
Deputy Timmy Dooley:
And shorten his replies.
An Ceann Comhairle:
I ask the leaders of groups to tell the people behind them to stay quiet while questions are being asked, and I ask the Taoiseach to ask his people to stay quiet so he can answer the questions. Is that understood?
[338]The Taoiseach:
I thank the Ceann Comhairle for his ruling and instruction. I will be happy to abide by his recommendations.
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