Results 2,221-2,240 of 3,707 for speaker:Martin Heydon

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Revaluation of Local Property Tax and Commercial Stamp Duty: Revenue Commissioners (12 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: I have a few questions about projections of stamp duty in general. Does Revenue believe that there is sufficient consultation with and by the Department of Finance in advance of this measure being introduced? I will start with the preparation of the budget each year. Is it normal practice for officials from Revenue to compile data and projections for the Department of Finance on any...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Revaluation of Local Property Tax and Commercial Stamp Duty: Revenue Commissioners (12 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: I would also like to ask about the changes on Report Stage concerning consanguinity arrangements for land. Does Revenue have a valuation of the impact those changes could have? Also, given that this is a transactional tax, have the Revenue Commissioners any concerns about dependence on volatile tax revenues to fund permanent expenditure?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Revaluation of Local Property Tax and Commercial Stamp Duty: Revenue Commissioners (12 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: That presumes there would be the same level of activity.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Revaluation of Local Property Tax and Commercial Stamp Duty: Revenue Commissioners (12 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: The argument is that it would not be tax forgone in that the activity probably would not happen.

Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017: Second Stage (Resumed) (12 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this very important Bill. At first, to be honest, I grappled with the Bill, but I stand here as a parliamentarian faced with a very simple choice. There has probably been an element of muddying of the waters in this debate, particularly on the part of the Opposition, and I will touch on those points in a while. We have a simple choice. Do...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Remuneration (12 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: 55. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the work ongoing within his Department on the proposed review of allowances for Defence Forces personnel under the conciliation and arbitration agreement; the timeframe for the review; the purpose of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52921/17]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Permanent Structured Co-operation (12 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: 62. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the benefits for Ireland of the decision to sign up for PESCO; the impact this will have for members of the Defence Forces in County Kildare and nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52920/17]

Permanent Structured Cooperation: Motion (7 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: I commend the motion to approve Ireland's participation in the European Union's permanent structured cooperation framework, PESCO. I missed the beginning of the debate because I was at a committee, but I could make a fair stab at guessing some of the points raised and the scaremongering which I expect has come from the Opposition benches. It is important to set out the facts clearly when...

Select Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs: National Archives (Amendment) Bill 2017: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: I will take this opportunity to welcome the Minister to the meeting and wish her well in her brief. I am delighted that she has been elevated to Minister. It is a very important role and I have no doubt that she will do an outstanding job just as her predecessor did, Deputy Heather Humphreys. This Bill is sensible as it adds an element of flexibility. The vast majority of what we are...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Assessment Report: Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (6 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: How can we strengthen the rainy day fund? Does Mr. Coffey think three years is an appropriate medium-term horizon for the fund?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Assessment Report: Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (6 Dec 2017)

Martin Heydon: If it got going as a decent starting point, when we have constrained budgets and could do more when the budgets are more expansionary, notwithstanding Mr. Coffey's comments, what steps could we take to make it more proactive and improve its counter-cyclical nature?

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tracker Mortgage Examination (30 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: 41. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the review of tracker mortgage complaints particularly for mortgage holders that have been waiting months for an update and a review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50887/17]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: State Pension (Contributory) (29 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: 48. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of work of her Department in reviewing the position of those affected by the 2012 changes to the eligibility bands for the contributory old age pension; when she expects her report to be finalised. [50578/17]

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Foster Care Policy (29 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: 52. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the position of foster parents that are in receipt of homemaker credits but can only qualify for this while foster children are under 12 years of age in view of the fact that their responsibilities continue after 12 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50592/17]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Haulage Industry Regulation (29 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: 414. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the process to introduce a maximum regulatory weight laden limit for five or more axle non articulated trucks; the information available to support the change; his plans to meet the key industry stakeholders before the change is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50730/17]

Other Questions: Foster Care Supports (28 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: I understand it was not done recently.

Other Questions: Foster Care Supports (28 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: The concerns I am raising are compounded by the difficulties being experienced by foster parents in qualifying for the contributory pension. The problem here is that what they do is not seen as work. I understand this particular issue is outside the Minister's remit and may be more properly a matter for the Department of Social Protection. However, as Minister with ultimate responsibility...

Other Questions: Foster Care Supports (28 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: 46. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to review the funding and allowances paid to foster parents as part of Tusla's increased funding in 2018 in order to take account of the role of foster parents and the additional duties and responsibilities they assume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50221/17]

Other Questions: Foster Care Supports (28 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: I take the opportunity to ask about the plans to review the allowances and funding paid to foster parents who carry out a very important role, given the increased funding of €40 million for Tusla in budget 2018. I am sure the Minister will agree that foster carers are a vital resource in the care system, in looking after almost 92% of the total number of children in care. At the end...

Other Questions: Foster Care Supports (28 Nov 2017)

Martin Heydon: I thank the Minister for her response. We need to review how foster parents are rewarded and recompensed for the work she has outlined, work which, we must acknowledge, saves the State an awful lot of money. When were the allowances paid last reviewed? From talking to foster parents who have been fostering for many years and do not remember a change in the rates, my sense is that they have...