Results 24,441-24,460 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: We are debating something that is quite sensitive for many people and it should not be used as a vehicle for a party political point. However, since Senator Byrne raised it and since he will dig his heels in, I will say that the Taoiseach has spoken for the Government, so the Senator can refer to his statement and what he said about income tax.

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions and very cogent arguments. This is text legislation that is consequent on the primary legislation introduced by my predecessor, namely, the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010. It is not possible for me to accept the recommendation because I cannot go beyond the scope of the original legislation. If I...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions and, in particular, Senator Zappone for her cogent arguments. She is on better ground with this recommendation than on the previous one. She may have identified a measure in tax law available to married couples but which has not been extended to persons in civil partnerships. This recommendation seeks to extend the definition of maintenance...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: My position is that Senator Zappone has made a cogent argument and identified an issue which requires examination. I am not 100% sure whether she is absolutely correct in law but it appears that if married couples can go to their solicitor and obtain a non-judicial separation by agreement and receive certain tax benefits from such an arrangement, the same should apply to persons who are...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Finance (No. 2) Act 2011 provided for a second reduced VAT rate, of 9%, on a temporary basis in respect of certain services and goods, including newspapers, for the period 1 July 2011 to end 2013. All newspapers sold on or after 1 July 2011 are subject to VAT at the new 9% rate and the total retail price charged should be inclusive of tax at that rate.

Written Answers — Tobacco Smuggling: Tobacco Smuggling (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that 178 million illicit cigarettes were seized in 2010 and 63.8 million were seized in the period January to June 2011. I know that the Revenue Commissioners regard the tackling of the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products to be a high priority. Their strategy includes the development and sharing of intelligence on a national, EU and...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: There are some cases where additional monies are requested of NAMA by debtors in order to complete developments. NAMA makes the decision to advance funds to an individual development project based on its commercial viability. In these cases NAMA is typically a secured creditor as it has a mortgage charge, usually over the property that was security for a loan. That property may be land, an...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I would like to assure the Deputy that the Government is conscious of the difficulties that many homeowners are having in meeting their mortgage repayments in respect of their principal private residence. There are a number of existing measures in place to support those homeowners struggling with their repayments. These measures include the Mortgage Interest Supplement, the Money Advice...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: At present, my Department has engaged one person, from one of the companies listed by the Deputy, to provide expert advice and assistance in relation to the banking area. There are no other contracts in place at present with any of the other companies mentioned.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Finance (No. 2) Act 2011 provided for a second reduced VAT rate, of 9%, on a temporary basis in respect of certain services and goods, for the period 1 July 2011 to end 2013. This included the supply of printed matter, including newspapers, magazines, brochures, leaflets, programmes, maps, catalogues and printed music. Businesses must account for VAT at the 9% rate on these specified...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is nothing in Irish tax law that makes reference to the term "tax exile" status. I am assuming in referring to "tax exiles" the Deputy is thinking of Irish citizens or Irish domiciled individuals claiming to be non-resident for tax purposes and who are living abroad primarily for tax reasons. For the 2009 tax year, the latest year for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is nothing in Irish tax law that makes reference to the term "tax exile" status. I am assuming in referring to "tax exiles" the Deputy is thinking of Irish citizens or Irish domiciled individuals claiming to be non-resident for tax purposes and who are living abroad primarily for tax reasons. Individuals who are non-resident in Ireland...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: All tax reliefs and incentives are subject to regular review as part of the annual Budget and Finance Bill planning process. Any decisions taken by the Government in this regard are usually announced on Budget Day.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The following individuals have been appointed at my Department of Finance since I took office. * Mary Kenny, Special Adviser * Denis Dwyer, Civilian Driver * Gerry Rigney, Civilian Driver * Alan Kavanagh, Constituency Office (Limerick) * John Moran, Second Secretary * Neil Ryan, Assistant Secretary * Aidan Carrigan, Assistant Secretary

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together. The tables below show amounts that were paid to the company referred to in question 20582 by my Department and the Comptroller and Auditor General in the past decade. Department of Finance Year Amount Detail (Company Mentioned in 20582) 2002 26,156 Training Course 2002 103,697 BFI Regulatory Structures & Disposal 2002 9,218 Change...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by NAMA that the contractual details of all contracts between the agency and individual service providers are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, are commercially sensitive and are confidential. I am advised by NAMA that legal and consultancy fees incurred in 2009 in setting up NAMA were €1.63m and relate to legal and consultancy expenses associated with the establishment of...

Written Answers — Parliamentary Questions: Parliamentary Questions (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am not aware of any study having been carried out into the cost to the Exchequer of answering a Parliamentary Question. Whether such a study would produce meaningful financial information is debatable. The cost of answering a Parliamentary Question will vary considerably according to the nature of the question asked. This would inevitably result in significant differences in the costs...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I take it that the Deputy is referring solely to public relations costs and not to advertising costs that would be incurred by my Department in the normal course of business, such as entries into telephone directories, the placing of advertisements in national newspapers, recruitment advertising, advertising associated with the national development plans, e-tenders etc. The table below...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I would point out to the Deputy that as part of the Programme for Government we committed to restructuring bank boards and to replacing all directors who presided over the failed lending practices in the period to September 2008. As the Deputy is aware, Bank of Ireland is engaged in an ongoing programme of change, including renewal at management and board level. In the interests of...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (14 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The composition of a body such as a Fiscal Advisory Council is critical to its independence and credibility. A significant number of potential candidates from backgrounds such as academia and public finance was considered against a range of criteria. In this regard, appropriate technical knowledge and expertise as well as the background and experience of the potential nominees and the...