Results 24,961-24,980 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Budget 2024 (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: When we get the full data and having looked at the legitimate exemptions that are provided for in law in terms of the vacant homes tax, the number of people who are directly impacted will not be as high as some are suggesting. I do not think the yield will be as high as some people might think either because of the exemptions that are in place, and which need to be there. That is just that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: Since the UK left the EU Single Market and customs union, from 1 January 2021, the movement of goods from Great Britain into the EU is an importation from a third country and, in accordance with the terms of the withdrawal agreement, such goods must be declared to customs and are liable to customs duty, if applicable, and VAT at import. However, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: Since 1 May 2023, the UK Government has introduced a new scheme known as the second-hand motor vehicle payment scheme. The new scheme allows car dealers who are VAT registered in Northern Ireland and other member states to reclaim the VAT element of the vehicle cost if the vehicle is purchased in Great Britain and removed or exported from there by the purchaser or by the Great Britain...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: As I said in the initial reply, the new scheme that has been produced by the UK Government is very recent. It only came in on 1 May. The Revenue Commissioners are currently examining the second-hand motor vehicle payment scheme. They are considering the impact and they will publish updated guidance shortly. I am not currently considering any particular change to the application of VRT but...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. It has been a messy period for the motor sector and its trade with the North and Great Britain because of Brexit. When one considers what has transpired since Brexit, including the unilateral changes that were made in January 2021 and the fact that Revenue had to update its guidance in response to the withdrawal agreement, the Northern Ireland protocol and a new scheme...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: Notwithstanding good progress in reducing our shareholdings in the banking system and returning funds to the Exchequer, the State remains a majority shareholder in AIB, with a 53% stake, and in Permanent TSB, with a stake of approximately 62%. It continues to be this Government’s belief that banking in the main is an activity that should be provided by the private sector and that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: We must have a banking system that provides services to customers. The State had to rescue the banks by investing an enormous amount of money. We are recouping much of that money but still have a journey to go. All of that work and the services provided by the banking sector, which supports thousands of staff in Ireland, is complemented by the work of the credit union movement. Credit...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Banking Sector (9 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: The truth is that the sector is now looking at and embracing enormous opportunity. As bank branches are closing around the country, credit unions are present and embedded in communities. We are now providing the policy and legislative framework to enable them to grow and prosper into the future. We will continue with that work.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this issue. He is right to say that this is not just about improving infrastructure or opening up the economic potential of the all-island economy in the north west. It is also about road safety and saving lives. That is a stark statistic the Deputy put on the record, that since the upgrade was first announced in 2007, 47 people have died. That most...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: The next step here is to have an agreed and approved project. This is a project that is still in the statutory planning process. We hope it will come through that in the not-too-distant future. What the Taoiseach and I have signalled is a willingness for us to have a conversation with our partners in Northern Ireland and with the British Government to see what more might need to be done on...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. As she knows, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, is going to launch this report later today with Threshold and Alone. That reflects the seriousness with which the Government treats this issue. The Minister will, of course, consider the findings of the report, which is a research report. It provides us with more information. That helps inform policymaking and allows us as a...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. I want to give assurance that, especially when it comes to older people served with an eviction notice, we will move heaven and earth to help them and find a solution. Whether it be through our local authorities or approved housing bodies or the interventions we are supporting at a national level, we will help people and we will find solutions. We will not allow older...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and there are a number of different strands to this. Where a case is taken, we need to ensure that case and claim are dealt with as efficiently as possible. None of us want to see instances where, especially in the case of catastrophic injuries, it takes many years and eventually on the steps of a court a settlement is agreed. We are seeing an...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (11 May 2023)

Michael McGrath: There will be individual cases that go all the way to court or to the steps of the court. That is unavoidable. There are two parties involved and there are lawyers providing legal advice to their clients and some people will want to have their day in court, but they are a small minority. The vast majority of claimants want to reach a settlement as early as possible in the process, and that...