Results 2,121-2,140 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements (Resumed). (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Why does Deputy Ó Caoláin adopt an argumentative position?

Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements (Resumed). (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am fine. It is Deputy Ó Caoláin who is always argumentative.

Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements (Resumed). (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: There is no problem with my blood pressure.

Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements (Resumed). (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I will arrange to have a copy of the script made available to Deputy Ó Caoláin, although he did not provide a copy of his speech for me. I do not see what is the big deal. I have something to say and I would like to say it. I am here 21 years.

Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements (Resumed). (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: It does show. I listened in silence to Deputy Ó Caoláin and I do not understand why I cannot be listened to with the same level of respect. I just do not understand it.

Lisbon National Reform Programme: Statements (Resumed). (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Thank you. On foot of the review, the European Council agreed that in consultation with national parliaments and social partners, member states would prepare national reform programmes which would set out measures which are being taken or proposed in support of the priority objectives of jobs and growth. In particular, national programmes would address the need for increased investment in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Exemptions from the payment of vehicle registration tax are provided for in sections 134, permanent relief, and 135, temporary exemption, of the Finance Act 1992. Typical examples of permanent relief, subject to certain criteria, from the payment of VRT are where the vehicle forms part of the assets of a transfer of residence to the State; where the vehicle is acquired by way of inheritance;...

Written Answers — Ordnance Survey Office: Ordnance Survey Office (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by Ordnance Survey Ireland that the mapping series in the scale of 1:1,000 and 1:5,000 does not include contouring. However, Ordnance Survey Ireland is in the initial phases of obtaining ground height details in respect of certain urban areas on a test basis. The information contained in this height model could, with additional relevant data assembled by public authorities and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: For the purposes of vehicle registration tax, vehicles are classified broadly into three categories. Category A is for motor vehicles designed for the transport of a driver and passengers. Category B is for car derived vans, small crew cabs and small motor caravans. Category C is for commercial vehicles, large crew cabs and pick-ups. In addition, VRT law states that any vehicle which is under...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The person concerned is in receipt of a pension from his former employer and an invalidity pension from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Both pensions are taxable. His income for 2005 will be in the region of €34,000. As neither the person nor his wife are 65 years of age or over, at which point the exemption limit of €33,000 and the marginal relief system could apply, he is...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Responsibility for investigating complaints regarding credit card charges rests with the financial regulator. My Department has been informed by the financial regulator that a small percentage of credit card sale terminals in the State offer a service which provides consumers from non-eurozone countries with the option of having their bill charged in their home currency at the time of...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The rate of mineral oil tax on substitute fuel, such as bioethanol, for auto-use is 36.8 cents per litre, the same rate as for auto-diesel. The rate for unleaded petrol is 44.3 cents per litre. However, an exception applies where bioethanol is produced in the projects approved under an excise exemption scheme for biofuels, which was introduced in the Finance Act 2004, as a limited, pilot...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are currently no vehicle registration tax concessions available for cars in respect of any adaptation for the use of bioethanol or other fuels that offer lower CO2 emissions or renewable sources. There is a scheme which provides for a remission or repayment of 50% of VRT for certain hybrid electric vehicles, which was introduced in January 2001. This hybrid electric technology results...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: There is no exemption from stamp duty on the transfer of a farm from a father to one of his children who is a full time farmer and who is over 35 years of age at the date of the transfer. The stamp duty code contains full stamp duty relief for transfers of land to young trained farmers under 35 years where land is transferred to them by way of gift or sale, provided they have attained...

Written Answers — Public Sector Recruitment: Public Sector Recruitment (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: There is no ban on public sector recruitment for health and ambulance personnel and recruitment continues within the limits set out by Government for the control of public service numbers generally. In implementing this policy, I want to avoid or minimise the effect on front line staff providing a service to the public and to ensure that essential services to the public are not affected. It...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In common with all public procurements, the commissioning of consultancy and public relations expertise is subject to national and EU procurement requirements. The guidelines in place specifically for the commissioning of consultancy and public relations expertise include the guidelines for the engagement of consultants published by my Department in March 1999 which cover all types of...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I take it the intended scope of the question is the same as the Deputy's question of 28 June of this year which related to reports, consultancies or other advisory or public relations commissions awarded by my Department. The reply to that question, together with the reply to a similar question on 17 February 2004, lists all such commissions awarded by my Department from 1 January 1998 to 28...

Written Answers — Post Office Savings Bank: Post Office Savings Bank (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Three short-term deposit accounts are available through the Post Office savings bank, or POSB, which are the book-based demand deposit account, the 30 day notice account, known as 'Deposit Account Plus', and the Special Savings Incentive Account. Details of the interest rates applying to these accounts since 1990 are set out in the following tables. Since the Deputy's question refers to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: A special interdepartmental review group reviewed the operation of the disabled drivers scheme. The terms of reference of the group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, both on an administrative and user level, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to...

Written Answers — National Lottery: National Lottery (25 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed that An Post National Lottery Company has warned the public that it has come to its attention that some people have received correspondence by e-mail or letter purporting to come from the Irish National Lottery advising them that they have won a substantial amount of money. An Post National Lottery Company has pointed out that it never notifies prize winners in this manner and...