Results 47,141-47,160 of 49,836 for speaker:Stephen Donnelly

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: In that case I thank the Minister.

Freedom of Information Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I move amendment No. 27:In page 16, to delete lines 11 to 23 and substitute the following:“(3) Where the Minister considers it appropriate, having had regard to the matters specified in subsection (4), he or she may recommend to Dáil Éireann that subsection (1) shall be applied, or shall no longer apply, to any particular public body to the extent specified in the order. Any...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Exemptions (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: 52. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider removing VAT on personal insolvency deals, which is currently paid by the creditor, but which, according to debtor advocate groups, are making creditors less likely to agree to insolvency deals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31773/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Liquidation (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: 53. To ask the Minister for Finance further to the statement in Dáil Éireann on 7 February 2013 if, by agreement with the European Central Bank, the liquidation of IBRC has caused the Central Bank of Ireland to take ownership of the €3.4 billion bond used to settle the promissory note last March; whether he can confirm the price at which the ECB acquired the bond from Bank of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Liquidation (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: 54. To ask the Minister for Finance further to the statement in Dáil Éireann on 7 February 2013 if, by agreement with the European Central Bank, the liquidation of the Irish Bank Resolution Corporation has caused the Central Bank of Ireland to take ownership of the €3.4 billion bond used to settle the promissory note last March; if he will outline the agreement referred to...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Residential Property Prices Register (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: 199. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that transaction prices shown on the Residential Property Price Register, which is operated by the Property Services Regulatory Authority, are exclusive of value added tax for new property sales; and if she feels this representation of prices is in keeping with the objectives of the RPPR. [31770/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Court Procedures (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: 200. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider removing court fees for bankruptcy, which, according to debtor advocate groups, are acting as an impediment to the uptake of the new bankruptcy regime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31771/14]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Personal Insolvency Act (16 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: 201. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider removing any upfront fees relating to personal insolvency, which, according to debtor advocate groups, are acting as an impediment to the uptake of the new insolvency legislation [31772/14]

Disability Services: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: We are talking about a cut of about 25% per person with a disability. It is not okay. It is a bad mark on this country. What we cannot afford is more cuts. This year in Wicklow, Sunbeam House faced huge cuts. We managed to get some of them restored but still services had to be squeezed. Currently, St. Catherine’s in Wicklow, which supports about 250 children with medium, profound...

Disability Services: Motion [Private Members] (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I commend Deputy Finian McGrath for tabling this sensible motion to recognise the value of people with disabilities and the need for further supports for them. Like most Members, before I was elected, I knew a few people with various disabilities. In the past three years as a Deputy I have spent a lot more time with adults and children with disabilities, be they physical, intellectual or...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: Dr. O'Connor's figure of one sixth paying at the marginal rate surprises me. The CSO is stating the average industrial wage is €42,000. I thought it was €36,000 or €37,000. The 52% tax rate kicks in at €32,000 or €42,000. How is it that only one in six workers pays it if it is payable at the average industrial wage?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: But a couple will kick into the marginal rate at €41,800.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: And for so many other reasons.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: That is fascinating; I would not have thought so. I have a final question. If I understand him correctly, Dr. O'Connor is advocating that tax relief of 20% on health insurance be dropped. Is there not a concern that that would price a group of people out of the market at a time when we need people to get back into the health insurance market?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: Is Dr. O'Connor suggesting the price would fall fully to compensate for the 20% relief being taken away?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank Dr. O'Connor.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I thank the witnesses for taking the time to meet us and to provide us with submissions, which are useful and contain interesting analyses. In regard to the representatives from TASC, Chambers Ireland and IBEC, I could not find in their submissions a table setting out the total adjustment. I am looking for the walk, that is, the estimates of the deficit next year if there are no budget...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: I am surprised. I did not mean to ask a loaded question but any organisation that sets out the total package of reductions that it thinks will get us to the target should not make such a statement without having the other figures. It cannot mathematically be done without having an estimate for the carryover for revenue buoyancy. I did not mean to ask a trick question but it is...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: We are but across the board this is a low-tax economy. In terms of income tax, VAT and corporation tax, Ireland is a low-tax, low-spending and low service provision economy. We are closer to America than we are to the social democratic model. Is IBEC suggesting that further tax cuts would be more than offset by increased revenue from the economic activity thereby stimulated?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (15 Jul 2014)

Stephen Donnelly: Is IBEC also advocating increases in consumption taxes such as water and property?