Results 7,341-7,360 of 12,596 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: It is an extraordinary volte-face, to say the least. I do not fully comprehend the Minister's logic in his defence of exempting ARFs from the scope of the levy. This is the first time we are imposing a levy on pension funds. The imputed or actual tax on ARFs exists; it is a fact of life. That is only right because we are dealing with some of the wealthiest people in the country who, as...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: This will be lost on the public because as the Minister will appreciate, in politics perception is about 99% of what matters and the truth is sometimes a troublesome trespasser. I am sure the public will see this in a very bad light. On a technical point, from my recollection of the section dealing with ARFs, is it the case that the imputed income only kicks in when somebody has reached the...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: 2012.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: Will the Minister clarify the point about the imputed draw-down not kicking in if someone is under 60 years of age?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: If the Minister had decided, within the terms of the appropriate European legislation, to reduce the VAT on fuel to 12%, how much would that have added to the cost of the VAT reduction on an annual basis? In view of the pervasive problem of fuel poverty in this country, if it is possible to reduce the 13.5% rate on fuel then serious consideration should be given to it. It is easy to hide...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: To clarify, is the Minister stating that were the VAT rate on fuel to be reduced to 12%, it would then be necessary to reduce all other items within the 13.5% range, even though it obviously has been possible previously to reduce some items to a rate of 9%?

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: I have two questions. The Minister will be aware that the consumer and competition Bill is central to the Government's competition policy. When is its publication expected? The programme for Government makes a number of commitments, some of which are legislative and some of which are administrative in nature, to deal with the issue of people experiencing difficulty in paying their...

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: When will it be published?

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: It is central to the Government's policy.

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: What about the second question?

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: There is no rush to help distressed mortgageholders.

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: When will the Government implement the commitments?

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: I cannot wait.

Order of Business (Resumed) (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: This is the new politics.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: I would not recognise the Minister for Finance if he engaged in anything other than "a full and frank discussion". I would like to pick up on the question asked by Deputy Michael McGrath. The programme for Government includes a fairly specific commitment that income tax rates will not be interfered with and that income tax bands or credits will not be narrowed or reduced. The indications...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: Yes.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: Absolutely. I welcome it.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (8 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if legislation is being prepared with regard to the establishment of the new skills agency; the progress made to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14477/11]

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (8 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the higher education grant scheme 2011-2012 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14476/11]

Leaders' Questions (1 Jun 2011)

Willie O'Dea: A 10% reduction in pension over the next four years.