Results 12,841-12,860 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Rebate Scheme (6 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: I assume the Deputy's question relates to the differential mineral oil tax rates that apply to auto-diesel and marked gas oil. The question of introducing a rebate scheme for users of marked gas oil has been addressed in previous parliamentary debates.  I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who have responsibility for the collection of mineral oil tax and for tackling illicit trade...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tote Licences (5 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The tote was established under the Totalisator Act 1929 and  to date Bord Na gCon and Horse Racing Ireland (or their predecessors) are the only bodies licensed to operate a tote. The primary purpose of this arrangement is to fund the horse and greyhound racing industry in Ireland. The licence for Tote Ireland is due to expire in 2014 and an application for its renewal is under...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Universal Social Charge Exemptions (5 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the universal social charge is not payable where the annual income of an individual does not exceed €10,036. Income subject to the universal social charge includes private pension income but excludes all payments made by the Department of Social Protection. If the person concerned wishes to seek a review of tax liability for 2013...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Issues (5 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank has advised that it does not comment on the commercial decisions of individual regulated entities. In a supervisory capacity, the Central Bank oversees and reviews bank practices and regulatory adherence. In addition, the Central Bank monitors the specified Credit Institutions in relation to the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets (MART). The Deputy will be aware that the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Consultancy Contracts (5 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The information requested by the Deputy could not be collated in the time available. I will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Repayments Issues (5 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Central Bank of Ireland  (CBI) has advised me that Chapter 5 of its Consumer Protection Code contains provisions relating to assessing suitability and affordability of credit, including for example, Provision 5.9 which provides that lenders must carry out an assessment of affordability to ascertain the personal consumer's likely ability to repay the debt over the duration of the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Illicit Trade in Tobacco (5 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: I made this statement in the context of a debate on illegal trade in tobacco in this House last November. I am aware that some years back there was a problem where it appeared that the tobacco industry was involved in the oversupply of certain markets.  As a result of this the European Community and the Member States concluded  co-operation agreements with the four main...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: So those opposite will have to stop making up stories.

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

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of oil laundries detected and closed down in the period from 2010 to 2013 was 33. Details of those detections, by year and the counties in which they occurred, are given in the following table. Year Cavan Donegal Dublin Laois Louth Meath Monaghan Offaly Waterford Totals 2010 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 4 2011 0 1 0 0 1 1 6 0 0 9 2012 1 0 0...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Money Laundering (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2013, transposes the Third Anti-Money Laundering Directive (2005/60/EC) into national law. Designated persons under the Act, including banks and all credit and financial institutions (as defined in the Act) are required to comply with their obligations under the Act. ...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Exemptions (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Government decided that a liability to the Local Property Tax (LPT) should apply to all owners of residential property with a limited number of exemptions.  Limiting the exemptions available allows the rate to be kept low for those liable persons who do not qualify for an exemption. While I am conscious that the upkeep of heritage properties is performed at significant effort and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 184 to 186, inclusive, together. The strong view of the Government is that, in respect of co-operating borrowers under the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), repossession of a person's primary home should only be considered as a last resort and that every effort should be made to agree a sustainable arrangement as an alternative to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy s question may arise from the recent publication of the Report on the Standard Bank Account pilot project. That Report noted that the view of the stakeholders was that one of the key elements that will have to be part of the preparations for a successful national roll-out of a Standard Bank Account is greater involvement by An Post and the credit unions to have the best...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Strategies (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in Budget 2014 that the Government is developing a comprehensive communication strategy to increase awareness of the full suite of developmental business supports, totalling approximately €2bn, which is available from State bodies and agencies. To date, a number of initiatives have been undertaken to make information available to SMEs on the part of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Review Office Applications (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2014 I announced an increase in the limit for loan applications that can be reviewed by the Credit Review Office (CRO) from €500,000 to €3m. This increase will facilitate requests from a broader range of SMEs, as well as assisting those borrowers currently banked with non-trading banks and banks which are strategically exiting the Irish SME...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Appointments to State Boards (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 163 together. In response to the Deputy's questions my Department has not engaged the services of external professional advice on the appointment of persons to State Boards under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Issues (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The levy on financial institutions was introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2013 which was passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and signed into law by the President. I am not aware of, nor have I received any notice of, legal proceedings in relation to the levy.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs Availability (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, changes were made to the scheme of tax relief for donations to approved bodies in Finance Act 2013 as follows: 1. Donations from all individual donors under the scheme are treated in the same manner, with the tax relief in all cases being repaid to the charity. 2. A blended rate of relief of 31% applies to all taxpayers regardless of their marginal tax rate. All...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Application (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The legislation governing the administration of Local Property Tax (LPT) provides for a number of exemptions from LPT, two of which are particularly relevant to those who purchased a residential property during 2013. Firstly, under section 9 of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended) any new and previously unused residential property that was purchased from a builder or...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Data (4 Feb 2014)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will be aware of the Central Bank's Mortgage Arrears Resolution Targets (MART) announced last March which sets time bound and measurable targets for the main banks requiring them to systematically address their arrears book. Under this rolling process, quarterly performance targets have now been set to the end of June 2014 to require the banks to propose and put in place durable...