Results 9,701-9,720 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-ECOFIN Briefing: Minister for Finance (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I thank the Chairman and committee members for inviting me to speak to them today in advance of the ECOFIN Council of Ministers meeting on Friday, 7 November in Brussels. As the committee knows, we have agreed, subject to scheduling arrangements, that I attend this committee regularly to update it and discuss developments occurring at the ECOFIN Council. The departmental officials also...

Finance Bill 2014: Order for Second Stage (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Finance Bill 2014: Second Stage (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." The economy is growing at the fastest rate in the European Union; the public finances are under control and our debt is on a downward trajectory. Budget 2015 was designed to sustain this recovery, broaden it throughout the country and continue the prudent and safe management of the public finances that has got us to this point. The Finance...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Exemptions (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that paragraph 14(2) of Schedule 1 of the Value-Added Tax Act 2010 exempts from VAT the supply of water by local authorities and Irish Water.  I assume the call out charges to which the Deputy refers includes charges for connection and reconnection, pressure testing, water quality testing and meter services.  Charges for these ancillary...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Pensions Reserve Fund Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 to 259, inclusive, together. SME Equity Fund - Carlyle Cardinal Ireland (€275 million fund focused lower mid-market private equity investing. NPRF Commitment €125 million) Since the inception of the fund, Carlyle Cardinal has developed strong networks across Ireland and has generated a strong pipeline of attractive opportunities for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Small and Medium Enterprises Supports (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Government recognises that small businesses play a central role in the sustainable recovery of the Irish economy. With over €2bn of government supports available to small business in Ireland from over twenty Departments and Agencies, it is vital that SMEs can quickly access information on this range of supports available to them. In order to improve the levels of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, the One-Parent Family Tax Credit was replaced with the Single Person Child Carer Credit from 1 January 2014.The new credit is more targeted in that it is, in the first instance, only available to the primary carer of the child. As part of the normal budgetary preparations all tax reliefs, credits and incentives are reviewed in order to ensure that they are properly...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Administration (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by Revenue that the charge to which the Deputy refers has been reduced to 1.1% with effect from 1 October 2014. The charge, which is applicable to all credit card tax payments to Revenue including Local Property Tax (LPT) and arrears of Household Charge (HHC), is passed to the taxpayer as provided for by Section 960EA (inserted by Section 79 of the Finance Act 2011 (No. 6 of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Collection (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: In regard to the administration of Local Property Tax (LPT), the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) sets out the statutory due dates for payment. I am advised that, mindful of the difficulties referred to by the Deputy, Revenue has introduced eight different payment options to assist property owners in meeting their liabilities in a manner and at a time that best suits...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Laundering (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling fuel fraud, that they are very aware of the risks posed to consumers' vehicles, legitimate businesses and the Exchequer by all forms of such fraud. Revenue has, over the recent past, received reports from a variety of locations around the country of problems relating to petrol quality, and suggestions that these...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Excise Duties (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in accordance with Council Directive 2008/118/EC and section 104(2) of the Finance Act 2001, tobacco products tax is not chargeable on tobacco products that are bought tax-paid by a private individual in another Member State of the European Union for personal consumption by that person in this State. The tobacco products must be for the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Prices (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information the Deputy has requested is not readily available. However, the European Commission through the Oil Bulletin presents consumer prices and net prices (excluding duties and taxes) of petroleum products in each EU member state each week.The Oil Bulletin is updated weekly and can be accessed on the internet by visiting ....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Unions (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: On 16 December 2013, Mr Jim Luby of McStay Luby Chartered Accountants was appointed by the High Court, under the Central Bank and Credit Institutions (Resolution) Act 2011, as liquidator of Newbridge Credit Union Limited (in liquidation).  The liquidator owes a duty to the creditors of Newbridge Credit Union Limited and must account for his actions to the High Court. As...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the flat rate expense allowances (FREs) for waiters and waitresses were initially agreed in the late 1950's with staff representatives from the hotel industry and were last reviewed in 1986. In general terms, FREs are granted on the basis of claims submitted in respect of specific costs incurred by specific employee groups and are not granted...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Universal Social Charge Payments (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, the Universal Social Charge (USC) was introduced in Budget 2011 to replace the Income Levy and the Health Levy. It was a necessary measure to widen the tax base, remove poverty traps and raise revenue to reduce the budget deficit. It is a more sustainable charge than those it replaced. It is applied at a low rate on a wide base, and the revenues collected play...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: VAT Exemptions (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I would point out that schools are and always have been exempt from VAT.  Paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 1 to the VAT Consolidation Act 2010 provides an exemption from VAT for the provision of children or young people's education by establishments recognised by the State. Irish VAT law is guided by the EU VAT Directive, with which it must comply, and this provision mirrors Article 132,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: I am assured by the Revenue Commissioners that the provision of a quality customer service to taxpayers is a key corporate priority for Revenue.Revenue is committed to ensuring that their service for all customers is suitably tailored to meet demand levels and that a range of speedy and efficient contact channels for customers is available. In addition, Revenue is committed to ensuring that...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bank Restructuring (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware under the Relationship Frameworks the State does not intervene in the day to day operations of the banks or their management decisions regarding commercial matters. In the case of AIB, the bank has previously indicated that as part of its restructuring plan to reduce costs and increase efficiencies, outsourcing of certain functions would be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Ombudsman (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the performance of his statutory functions and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on how he performs those duties. Under the Central Bank Act 1942, as amended, a consumer is not entitled to make a complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman if the conduct complained of occurred more than six...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Ombudsman (4 Nov 2014)

Michael Noonan: Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services Ombudsman is independent in the carrying out of his duties. I have no role in the day to day workings of the office or in the decision which he takes. One of the main roles of the Financial Services Ombudsman is to investigate, mediate and adjudicate complaints about the conduct of regulated financial service providers....