Results 25,601-25,620 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 to 29, inclusive, together. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to help homeowners in distress to weather the recession. The Government will examine a number of proposals in relation to this commitment. One of these proposals relates to increasing mortgage interest relief to 30% for First Time Buyers who bought between 2004 and 2008 and...

Written Answers — Mortgage Indemnity Insurance: Mortgage Indemnity Insurance (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Mortgage Indemnity Insurance acts as a form of additional security for the mortgage lender in the event of default by the mortgage holder. While either the lender or borrower can be responsible for paying the premia, it is the lender alone who will receive the proceeds of any claim. The borrower will still retain the same legal responsibility to pay the mortgage shortfall, where such...

Written Answers — Economic Forecasts: Economic Forecasts (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The forecasts prepared by the Department of Finance last October and first published in early November in the National Recovery Plan, and subsequently in Budget 2011 are the latest published forecasts. Forecasts naturally need to be reviewed from time to time as additional information becomes available. Since last October, important National Accounts and National Household Survey data for...

Written Answers — Universal Social Charge: Universal Social Charge (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: As I have stated before I would encourage all interested parties to join the review of the USC by way of submission to my Department. My Department is currently accepting submissions from interested parties, however, if changes to the USC are being proposed I would request well thought-out and workable solutions to fill any revenue gaps created. The focus must be on maintaining the €4...

Written Answers — Educational Schemes: Educational Schemes (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Government is committed to resourcing a Jobs Fund within its first 100 days in the Programme for Government. The details of individual measures, including the 15,000 places in training, work experience and educational opportunities referred to at page 8 of the Programme for Government, are currently being considered by the Government for the purpose of delivering on this commitment.

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board...

Written Answers — Fuel Prices: Fuel Prices (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Ireland, as with other countries, has experienced an increase in the cost of petrol and auto-diesel. The increase in fuel prices is an international phenomenon. Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as...

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 55 and 58 together. Under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support, Ireland has agreed to deliver a wide range of actions and conditions including those referred to by the Deputy in his questions. Furthermore, Ireland has committed to consult with the European Commission, the ECB and the IMF on the adoption of policies that are not consistent with the...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: A derogation under EU Directive 2003/96 on Energy Taxation allowed the application of a reduced rate of Mineral Oil Tax to fuel used for the purposes of certain road passenger services. That derogation has expired and the arrangement was, therefore, terminated by the Finance Act 2008. It would not be possible, having regard to the relevant provisions of EU law, to re-introduce a scheme of...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Programme for Government provides that the Government will legislate to "restore the Freedom of Information Act to what it was before it was undermined by the outgoing Government", and that it "will extend its remit to other public bodies including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána, subject to security exceptions". It also proposes "to extend Freedom of Information, and the...

Bank Bailout and EU-IMF Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Although the Government opposes the motion put forward by the 13 members of the Technical Group, I can understand why they seek a referendum on the bank bailout and the EU-IMF programme. There is no doubt that the bailout will impose a heavy debt burden on Ireland for many years to come. Neither is there any doubt that compliance with the programme involves implementing many difficult...

Bank Bailout and EU-IMF Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: John Gormley did that.

Bank Bailout and EU-IMF Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: We are in the middle of a vote.

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Who was in Government for the past 14 years? Did this all happen in three weeks? Get off the stage Willie.

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Get off the stage Willie. Fourteen years of it and it is all our fault already?

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Last Thursday, I announced the Government's radical and wide-ranging plans to restructure the State-supported banking sector. When it published its plan, the Government had a number of objectives. First, to restore confidence in the banking system and in the economy of the country. Second, to recapitalise and restructure the banks and, third, to restore credit to the economy in order that...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: In recent years, the excessive attention focused by bank management on the need to recapitalise and repair broken balance sheets has been a failed policy. With banks under pressure to delever quickly, new lending suffered considerably. Despite the efforts by the Credit Review Office, business and retail confidence in the availability of credit was completely eroded. Our decisive plan will...

Order of Business (5 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The first item on the agenda - the split.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (5 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Section 5 of the National Lottery Act 1986 provides that the surplus from the National Lottery may be used for the following purposes: sport and other recreation; national culture, including the Irish language; the arts, within the meaning of the Arts Act 1951; the health of the community; and for such other purposes as the Government may determine. The following additional categories have...

Written Answers — State Assets: State Assets (5 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The sale of non-strategic State assets provided for in the Programme for Government does not, as the Deputy's question suggests, arise from the conditions of the financial assistance programme agreed with International Monetary Fund, the EU Commission, and the ECB. Under the NewERA plan set out in the Programme for Government, State asset sales will fund investment in key networks of the...