Results 2,281-2,300 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Archaeological Sites. (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The cost of the analysis would be €200,000.

Archaeological Sites. (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Having stood for so long, suspicions of its imminent demise might be a little exaggerated.

Departmental Appointments. (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that the Top Level Appointments Committee, TLAC, recommends candidates to Government for the most senior appointments in the Civil Service. Subject to certain exceptions, TLAC deals with all posts at or above assistant secretary level or equivalent across the Civil Service. The Government is the appointing authority for posts at secretary general level and the TLAC...

Departmental Appointments. (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I recently said that there is a need to open up opportunities from the private sector to the public sector in many specialised and technical areas. There is also provision in the social partnership programme for open competition in these areas. In fairness, there is much churning within Departments. By the time people get to assistant secretary level, they may have served in two or three...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission is independent of Government in the exercise of its functions. Under the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000, it controls and manages the fund with discretionary authority to determine and implement the fund's investment strategy. This investment strategy is based on a commercial investment mandate with the objective of securing the optimal...

Written Answers — Household Indebtedness: Household Indebtedness (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 162 together. I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy and of concerns expressed in relation to the continued growth in credit, particularly to the household sector, and the possible effects of increasing indebtedness upon borrowers. The Deputies may wish to note that the growth of credit and the associated increase in indebtedness are in the...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Public procurement of computer systems operates within a policy defined by European and domestic procurement law. Up to date guidelines for public procurement, including information technology solutions, were issued to Government Departments and offices by my Department in 2004. I am satisfied that the procurement systems in place are robust and as a general rule operate in a satisfactory...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As a small, open economy, Ireland is heavily reliant on the international economy and external shocks have the potential to significantly reduce Irish growth. In this regard, my Department is constantly monitoring developments in the world economy. For example, in the Economic Review and Outlook, published August 2005, my Department identified a number of external risks to the economic...

Written Answers — Tax and Social Welfare Codes: Tax and Social Welfare Codes (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The issue of making unused tax credits refundable was examined by a working group established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to examine the role which refundable tax credits can play in the tax and welfare system. The group was made up of representatives of the social partners and was chaired by my Department. Among other things, it examined the issues which might arise if...

Written Answers — Revenue Investigations: Revenue Investigations (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are conducting their investigation into the use by taxpayers of life assurance investment products for the purposes of tax evasion in two stages. In the first stage of these inquiries taxpayers, who invested undisclosed and undeclared funds in life assurance products were given until 23 May 2005 to advise Revenue of this. This part of the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: A 20% tax credit applies to companies that incur incremental expenditure on research and development, R&D. An incremental tax credit is preferable to a volume based credit in that it lessens the dead-weight expenditure qualifying for the credit and encourages increases in R&D expenditure, which is the policy aim behind the incentive. The definition of R&D is based on best international...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Capital allowances are available in respect of capital expenditure incurred on the construction of certain qualifying private hospitals. The expenditure can be written off over seven years at the rate of 15% per annum over the first six years and 10% in year seven. Capital allowances for private hospitals is one of the many reliefs currently under detailed review by my Department in...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I said in my press release on the day the IMF report was published, on Monday, 17 October, I am pleased that the IMF has commented favourably on the continuing impressive performance of Ireland's economy which is based on sound economic policies. The IMF has provided a good assessment of Ireland's economic policies and prospects. I note the IMF executive board's concerns about the erosion...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have received a pre-budget submission from the organisation concerned and the contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget and Finance Bill. As the Deputy is aware, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the budget on possible budget decisions.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the Commission's study into possible obstacles to cross-Border mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector, which arises from a discussion at the informal meeting of EU Economic and Finance Ministers in September 2004. I might first clarify that the Commission has no role in promoting increased cross-Border consolidation as such, as that is a matter...

Written Answers — National Development Finance Agency: National Development Finance Agency (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 95 put by Deputy Paul McGrath on Wednesday, 5 October 2005, wherein I stated the following: The National Development Finance Agency, NDFA, was established under the National Development Finance Agency Act 2002. Section 3 of the Act sets out its functions in regard to advising State authorities on the optimum means of funding public investment...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Residency rules were last updated in the 1994 Finance Act by the then Government following a comprehensive review of the matter by the Revenue Commissioners and my Department. The resulting new rules set out in the 1994 Finance Act both simplified and clarified the whole area and were generally welcomed. I have no proposals to carry out the sort of analysis referred to by the Deputy. I have,...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The SSIA scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. The impact of maturing SSIA funds on the economy in 2006 and 2007 is subject to ongoing consideration within my Department. The impact on consumer demand is difficult to estimate...

Written Answers — Tax Evasion: Tax Evasion (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following information is the up to date position on court prosecutions initiated for tax evasion. In 1997, there was one prosecution and one conviction. A fine of €635 was imposed with no custodial sentence. In 1998, there were six cases and eight convictions; fines totalling €42,854 were imposed. There were two custodial sentences, one...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The provisions of section 848A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 govern the operation of the scheme for tax relief on donations to eligible charities and other approved bodies. The administration of those provisions is the responsibility of the Revenue Commissioners. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that primary and secondary schools qualify as approved bodies under the donations...