Results 25,581-25,600 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Construction Contracts: Construction Contracts (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together. The Deputy will be aware that the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 was introduced by Senator Feargal Quinn and passed Committee and remaining stages in the Seanad on 8 March 2011. It is now before the Dáil. In relation to the exemption of contracts below €200,000 from the Construction Contracts Bill 2010, I understand that the Senator...

Written Answers — Ministerial Responsibilities: Ministerial Responsibilities (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will be aware of the arrangements put in place by the previous Government to facilitate the confidential briefings which were provided to the Opposition parties in the autumn of 2010. The Department of Finance also provided costings, on a confidential basis, to parties that requested them for the purposes of the election, a facility which was also provided for previous elections....

Written Answers — State Banking Sector: State Banking Sector (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The programme for Government contains a clear commitment to creating a Strategic Investment Bank that will become a provider of finance to large capital projects, a conduit for venture capital and a lender to SMEs. As I indicated in a reply to PQ No. 26 on 23 March, the Government will only be in a position to decide on the timing and the structure for setting up the Strategic Investment Bank...

Written Answers — Tax Refunds: Tax Refunds (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not in a position to respond to the Deputy about this case for reasons of taxpayer confidentiality and data protection. In that context, Revenue point out that when Deputies make representations or ask Parliamentary Questions on behalf of individual taxpayers there must be, and generally there is, enough evidence to reasonably support...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: During the period 1997 to 2004 the then Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, did not employ any special advisors. During the period 2004 to 2007 the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen employed the following special advisors: Name Salary rate Gerry Steadman €101,675 Colin Hunt ( September 2006 to June 2007 Mr. Hunt concurrently performed the special adviser role to Mr...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Programme for Government states that this Government will insist on the highest standards of transparency in NAMA's operations. I have already met with the NAMA Board and explained that I expect the agency to comply with this commitment to the maximum extent possible. The board has also been made aware that this is an issue that I will be following closely. The NAMA legislation also...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The euro group and the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) usually meets monthly, although they can meet more frequently, if required. Finance Ministers of the seventeen Eurozone Member States meet in the Eurogroup on the eve of Ecofin meetings to discuss economic, monetary and other issues that relate to the euro area. There were in addition a number of meetings of a...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Universal Social Charge was introduced with effect from 1 January 2011. There is an exempt annual threshold of €4,004 (€77 per week). However, where this threshold is exceeded, the entire amount is chargeable. The standard rates of charge are: - 2% on the first €10,036, - 4% on the next €5,980, and - 7% on the balance. The maximum rate of charge for individuals in possession of...

Written Answers — Sale of Bank Assets: Sale of Bank Assets (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: On 31 March the Central Bank published full details of the capital requirements for AIB, Bank of Ireland, EBS and Irish Life and Permanent. In their Financials Measures Programme document they provided a detailed breakdown of the calculations that underpinned their €24bn capital requirement which they identified for these banks. In arriving at this €24bn figure, the Central Bank indicated...

Written Answers — Departmental Schemes: Departmental Schemes (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Business Expansion Scheme (BES) is being replaced by the new Employment and Investment Incentive (EII). Under the new incentive, the lifetime limit that can be raised by companies will be increased from €2 million to €10 million, and the amount that can be raised in any twelve month period will be increased from €1.5 to €2.5 million. The certification requirements will also be...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: There are some difficulties in the PPP funding market at present, resulting in a reduction in the number of banks participating in the market. Reflecting this, the Government has taken a number of steps to improve the market for PPPs and projects should be able to secure funding on a value for money basis.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that this matter has been resolved. An amended notice of assessment issued on 23rd March 2011. A repayment of the resulting refund issued on 28th March 2011. If there are any further queries on this matter they should be directed to Cork South West District, Telephone No. 021- 6027058.

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: On 1 April 2011, the Central Bank published the total senior and subordinated debt issuances by those banks covered by the Guarantee as at March 2011. This information is available on the Central Bank's website at www.centralbank.ie. The Central Bank published the individual figures on a once-off basis and were disclosed with the consent of the financial institutions and does not form part...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have made no appointments as outlined in the Deputy's question since my apppointment as Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: A total of 59 retired public servants were employed on short-term contracts by my Department in 2010 at a cost of some €499,000 in total. My Department uses the services of retired public servants for a range of duties including, for example, the facilitation of various appeals processes such as those provided for under section 29 of the Education Act 1998 and those that relate to teaching...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the annual alcohol excise licence fees payable by the on- and off-trade respectively. In that context it has to be recognized that the main Exchequer receipts for the sale of alcohol arises from excise on alcohol products, which for example yielded €968m in 2009, compared to a yield of around €13.6m in respect of all alcohol excise licence...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to a referendum to protect the right of citizens to communicate in confidence with public representatives. In addition, there is a commitment that we will legislate and change Dáil standing orders to ensure the absolute confidentiality of information entrusted to members of the Dáil by their constituents or...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: As Minister for Finance I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The Central Bank of Ireland has informed me that insider trading in shares admitted to trading on the main market of the Irish Stock Exchange is governed by the Market Abuse (Directive 2003/EC) Regulations, 2005. Insider trading in shares admitted to other markets run by the Irish Stock Exchange is governed by...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I can confirm that an application to the Pension Insolvency Payment Scheme from Waterford trustees has been received and is under consideration. Discussions have taken place with the trustees and staff representatives about a number of aspects of the application. I hope to be in a position to respond shortly. The Pension Insolvency Payment Scheme [PIPS] was introduced on 1 February, 2010 for...

Written Answers — Personal Debt: Personal Debt (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will be aware that the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Expert Group (Expert Group) produced two Reports, an Interim Report published in July 2010 and their Final Report published in November 2010. The Expert Group, which was chaired by Mr. Hugh Cooney, included Mr. Matthew Elderfield, Head of Financial Regulation at the Central Bank, as well as other external experts and senior...