Results 8,181-8,200 of 32,643 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: At the outset, it is important to note that neither the Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland have any influence over the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter. This position is reinforced by the EU legislative framework for insurance (the Solvency IIDirective). Having said that, the Government is acutely aware of the concerns felt by many...

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: -----have already been delivered by a strengthened Government putting more money into the provision of homes directly.

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: No, it is not agreed. I know the Opposition Members are all in favour of their views being heard but if they could do me the courtesy of one more minute, I would be very happy to allow the vote to happen. If the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will allow me a further minute to conclude I will conclude my speech to facilitate a vote taking place.

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: How much time is left?

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I have heard the Opposition make claims about ordinary people and families and their needs being met. In supporting this amendment, I am motivated by the risk that 2,500 families would not have their social housing needs met without this change. The Opposition's approach is putting their dreams and needs at risk in relation to social housing.

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: A Chathaoirligh, could you inform me how much time I have left, please?

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for clarifying that. I have heard many claims from the Opposition this evening about housing policy and about what my Government's motivation is in how we can supply and build more homes for our citizens, particularly those who need them the most. I have heard the Opposition look to paint many pictures with their words as to what is behind this amendment and...

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputies Boyd Barrett, Mattie McGrath and Danny Healy-Rae for the issues they have raised. I will respond to the issues raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett first. On the business restrictions support scheme that is being introduced, a broader group of occupations is included in it, provided that recipients meet certain criteria in relation to their level of trading. That does include...

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 5: In page 31, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Repayment of stamp duty where certain residential units leased 15. (1) The Act of 1999 is amended by the insertion of the following section after section 83D: “83E.(1) In this section— ‘Act of 1992’ means the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992;...

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I move amendment No. 1: In page 6, to delete lines 12 to 23 and substitute the following: "(i) in paragraph (a)(i)(I), by the insertion of "or, where the claim relates to a period specified in subsection (8)(b)(ii)(I) or (II) or to any full week falling within the period beginning on 5 July 2021 and ending on 18 July 2021, 20 per cent," after "10 per cent", (ii) in paragraph (a)(i)(II),...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland, have a role in prescribing or setting interest rates offered by banks. These are commercial matters and are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. It is not entirely clear what the Deputy means when he refers to interest on ‘debt related repayment...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Gambling Sector (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. The regulation of gambling in Ireland is primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and is provided for under the Betting Act 1931. Under that Act, any business which involves entering into bets with persons in Ireland by remote means must hold a Remote Bookmaker’s Licence. Revenue issues Remote...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: It is understood that the Deputy is referring to an e-bike conversion kit, which enables a push bike to be converted into an e-bike. I am advised by Revenue that section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides that a charge to tax will generally arise where an employer provides a benefit to a director or employee. The Cycle to Work scheme provides for an exemption from this charge...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the committee for the invitation to engage about the general scheme of the finance (local property tax) (amendment) Bill 2021, which I published at the beginning of June. I published the general scheme with a view to having the Bill enacted before the summer recess. This is necessary to enable the Revenue Commissioners to make the essential technical and administrative preparations...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I understood my statement was shared with the committee yesterday. I am not quite sure what has happened. I agreed sharing of the opening statement yesterday.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I will get it shared now if it has not already been.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Respectfully, what the Deputy is saying on this is incorrect. The commitment I am giving to retention in some local authority areas, and dealing with the consequences of this to ensure other local authorities are not disadvantaged because of this, is not in this Bill. The issue of retention is not a legislative matter for the Bill. The Bill simply deals with the issues I have touched on,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: That process is being led by the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, not me. I deal with the raising of revenue. I worked closely with the Minister on this but he deals with how the revenue is allocated. He has that review under way as we speak. I expect that within the year in which, I hope, we implement this revaluation successfully, the review will conclude.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Doherty and again I apologise if the statement has not been made available to the Deputy or the committee. The equalisation fund is not contained in the original local property tax legislation or this Bill. It is a separate matter for the Department and Minister with responsibility for housing regarding how the equalisation fund is structured and how it operates. It is not...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: General Scheme of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Discussion (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I understand the Deputy's point about the issue of funding pressures local authorities face. It is why what we seek to do is equitable in that it brings into the local property tax perimeter properties that have been built since 2013, for which local authorities are responsible for supporting and providing services but from which they do not receive revenue to help contribute to the cost of...