Results 5,901-5,920 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Staff Data (1 Oct 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by NAMA that the Agency received 80 applications for the programme. Of these, I am advised that 3 members of staff reconsidered, leaving 77 expressions of interest. I am further advised that NAMA accepted 51 of these applications, in keeping with reducing staff numbers to 291 by the end of 2015. 

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Tax Administration (1 Oct 2015)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information returned to them provides no basis for estimating the potential uptake of the scheme proposed by the Deputy. However, for illustrative purposes, Revenue have examined Stamp Duty returns and LPT data for 2014 to identify individuals older than 70 years of age who sold a...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Relief Eligibility (1 Oct 2015)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together. It is not possible to cost the reliefs proposed in the Deputy's questions. The Revenue Commissioners do not require rental income data to be returned in a manner which would enable commercial and private rental accommodation income to be separately identified.  Similarly, income from the categories of tenant in the Deputy's...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Ireland Strategic Investment Fund Management (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: The ISIF has advised that they do not perceive a conflict of interest arising from Mr. O'Connor's appointment as Chairman of Activate Capital as (i) Mr. O'Connor stood down as Chairman of AIB in 2010, and (ii) his recently ceased directorship of CRH was in a non-executive capacity and regardless of this fact CRH, as a supplier of building materials, is not in the business...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: The seafarers allowance, which is provided for under section 472B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, applies to the shipping industry and is currently an approved state aid under EU rules. The allowance of €6,350 at the marginal rate is conditional on a seafarer being at sea for at least 161 days in a tax year. The duties must be wholly performed aboard sea-going ships on an...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Rebates (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a claim for a refund of VAT from the person (details supplied) was received by them on 15 June 2015. However, as the item in question was purchased outside the State, a refund of Irish VAT does not arise. The person concerned was advised of the position on 23 June 2015.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Primary Medical Certificates Applications (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: A person who is unsuccessful in their application for a Primary Medical Certificate may appeal the decision to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which makes a new clinical determination in respect of the individual. After six months a citizen can reapply if there is a deterioration in their condition. I am informed by the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Freedom of Information Requests (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: In relation to resources in the Department allocated to the Freedom of Information Act, there is a dedicated FoI Unit and a decentralised decision-making process in the Department.  The role of the FoI Unit, which has 4 full-time staff, is to receive, allocate, monitor and administer the Freedom of Information requests but that Unit does not,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the latest Central Bank quarter two release on mortgage arrears shows that Government policy is working and the number of accounts in arrears is in consistent decline, while more than 118,500 mortgages have been restructured. This means that each one of these mortgage holders has agreed an affordable payment with their bank. I have noted...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: Rent-a-room relief is provided for in section 216A of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997. Under that section, sums arising to an individual in respect of the letting of a room or rooms as residential accommodation in his or her home and from meals or other services supplied in connection with the letting, are exempt from income tax where they are below the annual limit for the tax year...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: IBRC Loans (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Special Liquidators that, following a review of the analysis previously undertaken by them in response to Parliamentary Question No. 67 of 2 July 2015, they have identified that 14 Facility Letters or Agreements, all of which were amendments to the terms and conditions of existing lending relationships, were issued by Anglo Irish Bank during the period 19 January...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: EU Directives (30 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: Council Directive 2011/96/EU (Parent-Subsidiary Directive) was adopted in order to facilitate the establishment and effective functioning of the common market. It aimed to prevent restrictions, disadvantages or distortions arising to EU group companies by removing double taxation in the case of profit distributions made by a subsidiary located in one Member State to its parent company located...

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: As in many other matters dealing with insurance companies, there is the issue of caveat emptor. It is hard to let the buyer beware, however, if he or she does not have the full facts. In any review that takes place after the liquidation and the court case are completed, we should certainly take into account the suggestions the Deputy has made about raising awareness for people purchasing...

Other Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: This topic was considered in a Topical Issue debate last Wednesday, taken by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan. The Central Bank has taken direct and very public action on the failures by Permanent TSB and Springboard Mortgages associated with tracker mortgage options and rates. Arising from the Central Bank's enforcement investigation, Permanent TSB has agreed to...

Other Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: The bulk of the decisions taken by Permanent TSB were taken between 2004 and 2008, which was before my watch. Practices were not corrected then. Subsequently, it went to a Supreme Court case and on into 2013. The Central Bank is independent but is responsible under law to investigate matters such as this and to rule out malpractice in financial institutions. I will bring the...

Other Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: If the Deputy frames a suitable parliamentary written question, which covers the ground he has indicated now, I will ensure he gets a full and detailed considered reply.

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: My reply to Deputy's question is much the same as my reply to the previous question. The liquidation of an insurance company is a legally complex and time-consuming process. Setanta is a Maltese incorporated company and, therefore, the Setanta liquidation is being carried out under Maltese law. Progress in the liquidation of Setanta has been awaiting the outcome of the High Court case of the...

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: I do not disagree with what the Deputy has said and I could agree with most parts of his intervention. On the Deputy's question regarding the situation following the High Court decision and what we will do to ensure this does not happen again, I would point out that many of the arrangements are subject to European law and European regulation. That is why a Maltese company can write...

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: There is no confusion within government. I set out clearly in my reply that there were two possible sources of compensation and it ended up in the High Court. The court has decided that MIBI is the responsible agency but that could be appealed. There is a further hearing in the court on 13 October to decide on costs and then there will be 28 days for MIBI to decide whether it will proceed....

Other Questions: Insurance Compensation Fund (29 Sep 2015)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy should reserve that kind of commentary for the chapel gate in the forthcoming general election where, I am sure, he will impress his constituents no end. I cannot answer allegations; I have set out what is the position.