Results 2,641-2,660 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Credit Rating Agencies: Credit Rating Agencies (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy may be aware, the EU Commission is working on proposals in relation to credit rating agencies. In this context, the Commission initiated a public consultation to elicit the views of the public and market participants at the end of 2010. The purpose of the public consultation was to open a wider debate and get input from investors, market participants, governments, regulators...

Written Answers — Revenue Commissioners Staff: Revenue Commissioners Staff (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the staffing details requested for Dublin Airport and Dublin Port, expressed as Full Time Equivalent numbers, are as set out in the following tables. Dublin Airport Principal Officer (PO) Assistant Principal Officer (AP) Higher ExecutiveOfficers / Administrative Officers (HEO/AO) ExecutiveOfficers (EO) Staff Officers (S) ClericalOfficers (CO)...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: VAT is charged on the supply of goods and services, and the rate applying is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The provision of sporting facilities is among a number of tourist related services which was made subject to a new temporary lower reduced VAT rate of 9% from 1 July 2011. All other goods and services that had applied at the 13.5%, such...

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I refer to my reply to the Deputy to Questions Nos. 39, 43 and 45, taken together, on 5 July 2011. The estimate of the net savings accruing to the Exchequer of less than €100 million p.a. arising from the imposition of a cap of €100,000 on public service salaries includes those employed in non-commercial State bodies, although it is not possible to provide a breakdown specifically in...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions and very cogent arguments. This is text legislation that is consequent on the primary legislation introduced by my predecessor, namely, the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010. It is not possible for me to accept the recommendation because I cannot go beyond the scope of the original legislation. If I...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I thank Senators for their contributions and, in particular, Senator Zappone for her cogent arguments. She is on better ground with this recommendation than on the previous one. She may have identified a measure in tax law available to married couples but which has not been extended to persons in civil partnerships. This recommendation seeks to extend the definition of maintenance...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: My position is that Senator Zappone has made a cogent argument and identified an issue which requires examination. I am not 100% sure whether she is absolutely correct in law but it appears that if married couples can go to their solicitor and obtain a non-judicial separation by agreement and receive certain tax benefits from such an arrangement, the same should apply to persons who are...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I do not accept there is a disparity between the treatment of children of civil partners and the children of married couples. Under law, people are obliged to look after their children, which includes providing financial support for them, regardless of whether the marriage is intact or has ended. That is why there is no tax incentive to pay maintenance to one's partner in respect of the...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: Let it go forth from this Chamber that the purpose of this legislation is to provide equality of treatment under the law to persons who are in civil partnership and to their children. There is no tax relief for the payment of maintenance for children when marriages break down. There is tax relief in respect of incapacitated children, and that tax relief is being applied equally to the...

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Senator is lowering the debate by introducing a party political issue.

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: It is not an appropriate occasion.

Seanad: Finance (No. 3) Bill: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: We are debating something that is quite sensitive for many people and it should not be used as a vehicle for a party political point. However, since Senator Byrne raised it and since he will dig his heels in, I will say that the Taoiseach has spoken for the Government, so the Senator can refer to his statement and what he said about income tax.

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration Tax: Vehicle Registration Tax (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 60 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that having reviewed this case they are prepared to allow de-registration subject to the owner establishing to the satisfaction of his local Revenue tax district that the vehicle concerned remains a new and unused item of stock. The position is that when a de-registration takes place the VRT can...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Remuneration: Banking Sector Remuneration (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 62, 63 and 66 together. As outlined in my reply of 12 July 2011, to the Deputy's series of twenty four parliamentary questions on particular aspects of the remuneration of staff members in various financial institutions, as these institutions continue to be managed at arms length basis, notwithstanding the large shareholding the Government holds, I do not...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, there is a commitment in the Programme for Government to help homeowners in distress. The Government will examine a number of proposals in relation to this commitment. One of these proposals relates to increasing mortgage interest relief to 30% for First Time Buyers who bought between 2004 and 2008 and to finance this in part by abolishing mortgage interest relief for...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: The financial institutions which the Deputy refers to are engaging in cost-cutting plans which are already underway. These are part of the plans arising out of the restructuring and recapitalisation programme announced last March. The effects of these plans including the consolidation of the banks around two pillar banks made up of the merger of AIB and EBS, alongside Bank of Ireland will be...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I assume the Deputy is referring to Parliamentary Question No. 97 of 7 June 2011, which asked if I would provide an itemised list of all bonuses paid to staff of the National Asset Management Agency since its establishment. In my reply, I explained that all officers of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) are employees of the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) and that the...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have no intention of launching a commission of enquiry into the operations of ACC Bank. Regulation of the banks is a matter for the Central Bank. Individual complaints about ACC Bank should be brought to the attention of the Central Bank. If the Deputy has any information about the involvement of subversives in relation to the activities of ACC Bank or any other bank he should make it...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: There is no automatic linkage between ECB interest rate changes and the interest rates charged by the EU and the IMF on their various loans to Ireland. In the case of the IMF, the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) interest rate is somewhat influenced by a European 3-month collateralised lending rate, EUREPO, which is correlated, but not linked, to the ECB interest rate. The other elements of...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (20 Jul 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. It is the Government's policy to pay its debts when payment is due. Promissory Notes issued to Anglo Irish Bank and INBS are no different to any other Sovereign debt in this respect and will continue to be honoured by the Government as a matter of policy. Abandonment of payments of Promissory Notes by the Government would in fact amount...