Results 24,401-24,420 of 33,175 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: A Chathaoirligh, could you inform me how much time I have left, please?

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for clarifying that. I have heard many claims from the Opposition this evening about housing policy and about what my Government's motivation is in how we can supply and build more homes for our citizens, particularly those who need them the most. I have heard the Opposition look to paint many pictures with their words as to what is behind this amendment and...

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: -----have already been delivered by a strengthened Government putting more money into the provision of homes directly.

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: No, it is not agreed. I know the Opposition Members are all in favour of their views being heard but if they could do me the courtesy of one more minute, I would be very happy to allow the vote to happen. If the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will allow me a further minute to conclude I will conclude my speech to facilitate a vote taking place.

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: How much time is left?

Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: Committee and Remaining Stages (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I have heard the Opposition make claims about ordinary people and families and their needs being met. In supporting this amendment, I am motivated by the risk that 2,500 families would not have their social housing needs met without this change. The Opposition's approach is putting their dreams and needs at risk in relation to social housing.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Neither I nor the Central Bank of Ireland, have a role in prescribing or setting interest rates offered by banks. These are commercial matters and are the sole responsibility of the board and management of the banks, which must be run on an independent and commercial basis. It is not entirely clear what the Deputy means when he refers to interest on ‘debt related repayment...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Gambling Sector (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. The regulation of gambling in Ireland is primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and is provided for under the Betting Act 1931. Under that Act, any business which involves entering into bets with persons in Ireland by remote means must hold a Remote Bookmaker’s Licence. Revenue issues Remote...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (7 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: It is understood that the Deputy is referring to an e-bike conversion kit, which enables a push bike to be converted into an e-bike. I am advised by Revenue that section 118 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides that a charge to tax will generally arise where an employer provides a benefit to a director or employee. The Cycle to Work scheme provides for an exemption from this charge...

Business of Dáil: Motion (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I move: That, notwithstanding the Order of Business of Tuesday, No. 9a, motion regarding the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021, shall be taken now and that any division demanded thereon shall be taken immediately.

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Motion (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I move: That initiation of the Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021 may proceed pursuant to Standing Order 174 notwithstanding that pre-legislative consideration of the Bill pursuant to Standing Order 173 has not been completed.

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising what I know is a very serious matter. I have experience of this issue from working with colleagues in trying to respond to the huge stress and anxiety that I know has been caused to many homeowners in Deputy Crowe's county and in counties Donegal and Mayo because of the damage that was done to their homes due to the presence of pyrite. The case at the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Defective Building Materials (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Crowe. Some of the very important issues he raised are outside the remit of the answer I have been able to give him. I know the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, will be well aware of the issues raised by the Deputy on behalf of his constituents. I will engage with the Minister, as the Deputy has been doing. The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021, which will be in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In general, the VAT Directive provides that all goods and services are liable to VAT at the standard rate unless they fall within categories of goods and services specified in the Directive in respect of which Member States may apply a lower rate or exempt from...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Policy (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Housing policy is a matter in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien. My Department does not, currently, have any measure in place which seeks to address the issue raised by the Deputy. As the Deputy will be aware, work is advancing on the development of a comprehensive Housing for All Strategy. This work is being led by...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I do not currently have plans to reinstate the Home Renovation Incentive. The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) provided tax relief by way of an income tax credit on repair, renovation or improvement works on principal private residences or rental properties carried out by tax compliant contractors. It was introduced in 2014 at a time when there was considerable loss of employment within...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Business Resumption Support Scheme is a new scheme for vulnerable but viable businesses, particularly in sectors that were significantly impacted throughout the pandemic, even during periods when restrictions were eased. The BRSS and its eligibility criteria are provided for in section 5 of the Finance (Covid-19 and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021 currently before the Oireachtas. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me or for the Central Bank to comment on the Bank's engagement with individual firms. By way of providing context, however, I would say that the authorisation or “gatekeeper” process is an important part of how the Central Bank regulates financial services providers and works to protect consumers and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (8 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: At the outset, it is important to note that neither the Minister for Finance, nor the Central Bank of Ireland have any influence over the pricing or provision of insurance products, as this is a commercial matter. This position is reinforced by the EU legislative framework for insurance (the Solvency IIDirective). Having said that, the Government is acutely aware of the concerns felt by many...

Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage (13 Jul 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." In my remarks I will briefly outline the background to the introduction of the local property tax, its position in our overall taxation system and why it should be maintained but in a reformed structure. As the introduction of a property tax represented a major structural change in the tax system the local property tax was considered in...