Results 2,641-2,660 of 45,510 for speaker:Simon Harris

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes. We believe it does comply and that there is already provision within this to allow spontaneous information exchange. It is important to note that Ireland cannot move alone on all global taxation issues. Ireland is participating in the OECD process and, not only is it participating, but it has also shown good faith by joining the early adopters group within the OECD.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Article 26 on exchange of information.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Paragraph 1 of Article 26.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I take the Deputy's point. There is a distinct issue here on country to country reporting which is an issue Ireland supports and is actively supporting. The commentary in Article 6.1 clearly outlines that the country does not need to be asked for the information before the information is provided. I am satisfied that sufficient provisions are in place to allow for the spontaneous exchange...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: That is correct in relation to all our other bilateral agreements.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes. It is important to note that the articles we are inserting in our agreement are based on current OECD tax law. Obviously, we are engaged in a process at a time when a situation is developing and evolving. I am confident that the agreements we are asking the committee to ratify today and other international double taxation agreements which we as a country have put in place are in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I take the point the Deputy makes. I must reiterate, however, that Ireland, the Government and the Department of Finance are committed to the OECD process and to playing a leadership role within it. We will keep matters under review as the situation evolves and is completed. We have been to fore on issues such as spontaneous exchange of information.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I appreciate the Deputy's view. I believe it would be prudent for Ireland, before signing up to agreements incorporating such standards, to agree the standards first. Ireland is playing a lead role in the development of those standards.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Once in place, Ireland will continue to lead in this area.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Meath County Council expects to appoint consultants shortly with a view to designing a feasible, cost-beneficial flood relief solution for the Northlands Estate. In the interim, it is planned that the Office of Public Works will carry out maintenance work on the channel in the estate on behalf of the Council before the end of this year.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Insurance Cover (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: On the 24th of March of this year, my predecessor, Mr. Brian Hayes T.D., announced details of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of Public Works and Insurance Ireland (previously known as the Irish Insurance Federation), the representative body for insurance companies in Ireland, on the exchange of information on flood defence works. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works has recently approved funding of €144,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for flood mitigation works at this location, which will also provide protection to a number of homes and a commercial property. The progression of these works is a matter for the Council.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Planning Issues (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: A Planning Application was submitted to Kildare County Council by the Office of Public Works on Wednesday 17th September 2014 for installation of new signage on Newbridge Credit Union Building. The application is available for inspection in Kildare County Council offices in Naas, Co Kildare and on the Council's website for 5 weeks from the date of submission.

European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank all Deputies from all sides of the House for their constructive contributions to this discussion. We have had a broad range of views expressed and I acknowledge that we have received support for the Bill from Members on all sides of the House, although not all Members, given the opposition of Deputy Peter Mathews. The purpose of the legislation is to make provision for the...

European Stability Mechanism (Amendment) Bill 2014: Second Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I did not interrupt the Deputy and I listened to him for 20 minutes. I would like him to do the same. The budget will be announced in the House in two weeks and the agreement should be seen in that context. I also refer to a point raised by Deputy Creighton on the issue of the IMF early repayment and her viewpoint on the sale of bonds. These are very separate issues and this was...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together. The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing public infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13th December to 6th January 2014. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that, based...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for facilitating the Committee Stage of the debate today. The amendments to section 2 provide for new definitions and for deletions, substitutions and extensions of existing definitions in the 2001 Act. Amendments Nos. 1 and 4 delete the definitions of "alternative valuation", "determined valuation" and "current valuation list". The definitions of...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Senator Reilly for her amendments, which I cannot accept. The proposed amendments are very broad and would potentially exempt a very large number of organisations and would probably exempt many entities that it does not intend to exempt. While I understand what the Senator is trying to achieve by the amendments, they raise a number of serious questions. What sporting entities would...

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: It comes up later. It is dealt with in amendment No. 76.