Results 24,741-24,760 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (29 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The results of the Comprehensive Review process will be brought before Government for consideration in the autumn as part of the annual Budget and Estimates process. The question of publication of the outcome of the Comprehensive Review in respect of each Department will arise for consideration in that overall context.

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 84, 85, 87, 88, 122 to 126, inclusive, 129, 131, 133, 134 and 137 to 144, inclusive, together. As outlined in the Programme for Government, this Government is committed to the most ambitious programme of Public Service Reform since the foundation of the State. This will take place in tandem with an equally significant programme of constitutional, political...

Written Answers — Public Expenditure: Public Expenditure (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Government is committed to examining all aspects of public expenditure under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure with a view to ensuring where state programmes do continue that all resources are used in the optimum manner to deliver services to citizens. One aspect of this review will be the rationalisation of state agencies. The Government expects that this will go beyond simply...

Written Answers — Financial Products: Financial Products (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The mortgage interest rates that financial institutions operating in Ireland charge to customers are determined as a result of a commercial decision by the institutions concerned. The interest rate charged to customers is determined by a broad range of factors including European Central Bank base rates, deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment and an institution's...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Programme for Government states that as part of the Government's fiscal strategy we will maintain the current rates of income tax together with bands and credits. The Taoiseach recently reiterated this commitment.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: Deputy Brian Hayes is serving as Minister of State for Public Service Reform and the Office of Public Works at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Department of Finance. His role is to carry out the functions, tasks and policies as agreed within his remit.

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: Since I was appointed as Minister for Finance, there have been four months meetings of the Council of Economics and Finance Ministers (Ecofin) in March, April, May and June. I have attended every one of these meetings. Usually on the eve of the monthly Ecofin, the Eurogroup meets and again I have attended these monthly meetings also. An extra Eurogroup meeting was called on 21 March to...

Written Answers — Oireachtas Payments: Oireachtas Payments (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The answer to this PQ is set out in three parts. Part 1 deals with salary payments to Ministers and Members of the Oireachtas. Part 2 deals with expense allowances for Ministers. Part 3 deals with allowances payable to Members of the Oireachtas. The answer to this PQ is set out in three parts. Part 1 deals with salary payments to Ministers and Members of the Oireachtas. Part 2 deals with...

Written Answers — Financial Products: Financial Products (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: As Minister for Finance I will not comment on the particular circumstances of the case referred to by the Deputy. These are matters in the first instance for the bank itself, the Central Bank of Ireland in its role as regulator and, should the customer wish to make a complaint the Financial Services Ombudsman. The Consumer Protection Code requires regulated entities to act honestly, fairly...

Written Answers — Ministerial Engagements: Ministerial Engagements (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: On my recent visit to New York and Washington, I had a series of economic, financial, media and cultural engagements. These included meetings with the IDA, Enterprise Ireland, senior officials and representatives from various client companies and certain target IDA companies. While in New York my engagements included meetings with legal and financial market advisers including an investor...

Written Answers — EU-IMF Fund: EU-IMF Fund (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Euro Area Heads of State and Government agreed in principle to a reduction in the interest margin charged to programme countries. This has been applied to Greece and Portugal. However, a decision to apply it to Ireland's loans has not yet been taken. This is because another Member State is asking Ireland to deliver a quid pro quo in return for an interest rate...

Written Answers — Commercial Property Valuations: Commercial Property Valuations (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Valuation Act 2001 which came into effect on 2nd May, 2002, provides for the revaluation of all commercial and industrial property. The Commissioner of Valuation has sole responsibility for all valuation matters under the Valuation Act 2001, which includes the implementation of the revaluation programme on a nationwide basis. The revaluation programme began in November 2005 in the South...

Written Answers — Commercial Property Valuations: Commercial Property Valuations (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The review work mentioned by the Deputy is continuing in my Department and the Valuation Office and is making progress. As previously mentioned, the Commissioner is actively reviewing options which might hold potential for accelerating the delivery of the revaluation programme within a shorter timeframe. As mentioned in answer to recent questions, in this context, my officials are reviewing...

Written Answers — Banks Recapitalisation: Banks Recapitalisation (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: At the outset I do not believe it is useful to characterise the intensive dialogue and engagement between the Irish authorities and its external partners, including the ECB, in the type of terms included in the Deputy's question. Inevitably the issues that we discuss with the troika relating to the design and implementation of the Programme of Financial Support are often complex and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: As provided for in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2011, a second reduced VAT rate of 9% is to be introduced on a temporary basis in respect of certain services and goods mainly related to tourism for the period 1 July 2011 to end 2013. Specifically the 9% rate will apply to restaurant and catering services; hotel and holiday accommodation; various entertainment services such as admissions to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will be aware that earlier this month I had written to representative bodies of the pensions industry with whom I had met on the pension fund levy issue, outlining my contention that the cost of the levy be absorbed by a reduction in the fees and charges made by their members. I have received a response from one of the representative bodies concerned. The response indicates that...

Written Answers — Appointments to State Boards: Appointments to State Boards (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, the Government is committed to a wide-ranging agenda of reform in relation to its budgetary architecture, including the establishment of a Fiscal Advisory Council. The commitment is set out both in the Programme for Government and the Joint EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. Details of the arrangements being put in place in relation to the Fiscal...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: Since 1 May 2011 a Cabinet Minister with the exception of Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Law Reform now use their own cars on official business. All Ministers are now paid for official mileage up to 96,540 kilometres [or 60,000 miles] per annum. Ministers of State have used their own cars on official business since 1984. The travel rates payable depend on the car engine...

Written Answers — Credit Availability: Credit Availability (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: In relation to the general question of access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), I am very conscious of the difficulties that are being faced by Irish businesses in this regard. Support for the investments of SMEs is an operational priority for the European Investment Bank (EIB). To that end, the EIB signed loan agreements in 2009 with AIB and Bank of Ireland for €100...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together. I cannot say what impact the pension fund levy will have on individual funds or schemes, as this depends on whether and to what extent pension fund trustees and Life Offices decide to pass on the levy to individual members, given the particular circumstances of the pension funds or pension plans that they are responsible for. In that...