Results 2,401-2,420 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: Ireland, as with other countries, has experienced an increase in the cost of petrol and auto-diesel. The increase in fuel prices is an international phenomenon. Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such as...

Written Answers — Illicit Trade in Fuel: Illicit Trade in Fuel (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of mineral oil tax and for tackling the illicit trade in fuel products, that they are very conscious of the ongoing threat to the Exchequer posed by the laundering of markers from mineral oil and the onward sale and supply of the laundered product as auto diesel. I wish to inform the Deputy that a...

Written Answers — Moneylender Regulation: Moneylender Regulation (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: Persons operating as unlicensed moneylenders are in breach of the law. Any evidence of their activities should be brought to the attention of An Garda Siochana. If legislation is required to deal with unlicensed moneylenders, that will be a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. I will consider any subsequent follow-up regulatory requirements,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The section in the Finance Act 2010 that provides for the application of the carbon tax to solid fuels (coal and commercial peat) is subject to a Ministerial Commencement Order. This approach was primarily adopted by the previous Government in order to allow time for a robust mechanism to be put in place to improve the control of high sulphur coal being sourced from Northern Ireland...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person (details supplied) must make an application for Revenue Job Assist on form RJA1 to his Revenue Office, Government Offices, Pearse St, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Part 1 of form RJA1 must be completed by the named person and Part 2 must be completed by the named person's employer. The completed application will be processed as quickly as...

Written Answers — Constitutional Amendments: Constitutional Amendments (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to the holding of a referendum to amend the Constitution to reverse the effects of the Abbeylara judgement to enable Oireachtas committees to carry out full investigations. The Taoiseach said in this House on the 25th May that the Government believed that this Referendum should be held on the same day as the Presidential Election. The...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The position is that whilst public bodies may use a prospective contractor's turnover to assess a company's financial capacity, there are no centrally imposed requirements for a minimum turnover. Such requirements would normally be developed on a case by case basis with reference to the specific needs of the contract. If the Deputy has examples of what he regards as inappropriately high...

Written Answers — European Central Bank: European Central Bank (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 154 together. As the Deputy is aware, the ECB is independent and this independence is set out in Article 282 (3) of the Treaty, which states that the European Central Bank "shall be independent in the exercise of its powers and in the management of its finances". Currently there are no proposals on the table for reform of the European Central Bank...

Written Answers — European Central Bank: European Central Bank (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 124, 126, 128 and 150 to 153, inclusive, together. The ECB is independent and this independence is set out in Article 282 (3) of the Treaty, which states that the European Central Bank "shall be independent in the exercise of its powers and in the management of its finances". The Executive Board of the European Central Bank comprises the President, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Representatives: Departmental Representatives (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the recently published Commission proposals on the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework for the EU post 2013. The negotiation of the next Multi-annual Financial Framework will be one of the key engagements for the Government at EU level over the next few years. Engagement in the negotiations will be an ongoing process and we will work effectively with...

Written Answers — Departmental Representatives: Departmental Representatives (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Department of Finance has recently been advised that the Department of the Taoiseach will be represented on the Tax Strategy Group by Mr. John Shaw, Mr. Mark Kennelly, Mr. Andrew McDowell and Mr. Martin Fraser.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 176 together. Performance-related pay has been an integral part of the NTMA approach to remuneration, reflecting the approach to remuneration in the private sector organisations with which the NTMA competes for staff. At the same time, public sector organisations must operate having due regard to the wider public policy context, which includes general...

Written Answers — Bank Guarantee Scheme: Bank Guarantee Scheme (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will be aware that on 1 April 2011, the Central Bank published the total senior and subordinated debt issuances by those banks covered by the Guarantee as at March 2011. This information is available on the Central Bank's website at www.centralbank.ie. The Central Bank published the individual figures on a once-off basis and they were disclosed with the consent of the financial...

Written Answers — Financial Services Sector: Financial Services Sector (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I would like to inform the Deputy that I, as Minister for Finance, have no responsibility with regard to the provision or refusal of a mortgage to a particular individual. The Central Bank's Consumer Protection Code is a set of general principles combined with more detailed requirements in certain areas. It requires financial institutions to act in the best interests of their customers by...

Written Answers — Property Valuations: Property Valuations (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Commissioner of Valuation is independent in the exercise of his duties under the Valuation Act 2001 and the making of valuations for rating purposes is his sole prerogative. The statute does not accord me, as Minister for Finance, any function in this regard. The Valuation Act 2001 provides for the exemption from rates of land that is developed for sport such as playing pitches, land on...

Written Answers — Departmental Contracts: Departmental Contracts (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I should point out that the question of awarding of individual contracts is a matter for each contracting authority. However, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have not outsourced the typing of documents and transcription of digital dictation to the Philippines.

Written Answers — Financial Services Sector: Financial Services Sector (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: As Minister for Finance, I have no statutory role in the setting of interest rates charged or paid by regulated financial institutions, including the institution mentioned by the Deputy. The Central Bank of Ireland has responsibility for the regulation and supervision of financial institutions in terms of consumer protection and prudential requirements and for ensuring ongoing compliance...

Written Answers — State Bodies: State Bodies (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am aware that last November, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service published a report entitled Macroeconomic Policy and Fiscal and Economic Governance. As part of a number of recommendations, the report proposed the establishment of an independent Economic Advisory Council. However, as the Deputy may be aware, the Government is committed to significant reform...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 138 together. My Department does not hold this information. Information on performance related payments for chief executives and second tier management in Commercial State Companies is appropriate to the relevant Department. In relation to CEO's the information is published in the annual reports of such Companies.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (5 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 185 together. It is my intention to seek a 15% voluntary pay adjustment from incumbent Chief Executive Officers in Commercial State Companies who are in receipt of salaries in excess of €250,000. Where an adjusted salary figure is less than or equal to the €250,000 salary cap that lesser sum would be sufficient. The Government's decision is that I...