Results 26,001-26,020 of 26,179 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Social Welfare Bill 2007: Second Stage (Resumed). (12 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Many of the issues have been touched on already. The key point for me is that the contributory and non-contributory old age pensions have increased by 6%. On the face of it, that appears fine. However, when one views this in the context of inflation on food and heating, which is as much as 17%, it is grossly inadequate. There has been no increase in the living alone allowance since 1997....

Written Answers — Betting Licences: Betting Licences (11 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he or his Department approved of the involvement of the national lottery in discussions with the Sonas consortium relating to a proposed casino in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33327/07]

Written Answers — Betting Licences: Betting Licences (11 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 155: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if officials of his Department ever attended meetings with representatives of the national lottery and the Sonas consortium relating to a proposed casino in north Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33328/07]

Written Answers — Betting Licences: Betting Licences (11 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 156: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if any reports of meetings between the national lottery and the Sonas consortium relating to a proposed casino in north Dublin were submitted to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33329/07]

Written Answers — Transport Regulation: Transport Regulation (6 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has plans relating to a review or restructuring of regulatory bodies in the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32935/07]

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (6 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Question 24: To ask the Minister for Transport the issues covered by his press office on 13 and 14 June 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32936/07]

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Government has mismanaged the economy.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is the Minister of State claiming small businesses are not under pressure?

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is the Minister of State saying that small business is not under pressure?

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: In the speech of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, motor tax was included under the heading of climate change and environmental matters. We were given the impression that changes were revenue neutral yet clearly the Government is collecting €83 million extra a year. Effectively these are increases in taxes, primarily on second hand cars and new cars up to 1 July. It is a bit rich...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is generally felt that rates are due to fall early in the new year, yet the Minister is providing for increases from 4.5% to 5.5% for home loans, and also from 12% to 13%. Will this be an annual measure? Will the Minister clarify this before Fine Gael makes a decision on her position? Fine Gael feels that if interest rates are falling, there is no need for the measure. Second, if we...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Minister is quoting a rate of 5.5%, which seems to be in excess of the current market rates. How and why was the figure calculated? It does not seem to tie in with the rate currently applicable to home loans, or that applicable to commercial loans, namely, 13%.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Does the rate for commercial loans or personal loans rest at 13% at present? Is the rate for all home loans 5.5%?

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: Is the measure to be applied from 1 January?

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is not for the year gone by but for the coming year, in which interest rates may fall.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: If the market rate was 9%, is it possible one would only be caught on the amount between 9%? We are talking about a band up to 13%.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Income Tax (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: There is a cap at 13%. We have no issue with that.

Financial Resolution No. 2: Stamp Duty (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: So bank drafts are covered.

Financial Resolution No. 2: Stamp Duty (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: What about cash cards? A cash card is a device often used in Europe where people put money from their account on a card so that they can spend it with the card.

Financial Resolution No. 2: Stamp Duty (5 Dec 2007)

Kieran O'Donnell: The Taoiseach mentioned that banks are doing away with their books and are going down the ATM route. That is fine. It is an internal matter for the banks themselves and that is business. Should the Government be facilitating the banks by forcing people to switch from using cheques to ATM cards if they do not wish to do so? The Government is effectively doubling the charge to facilitate...