Results 2,641-2,660 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Tax Yield. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: A figure of €900 million was returned to taxpayers. What part of this does Deputy Paul McGrath object to? A figure of €1.12 billion went to recipients of social welfare payments. What part of this money was wasted?

Tax Yield. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: What part of the €150 million that went to elderly people was wasted?

Tax Yield. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Is the €300 million that will go into a strategic innovation fund a waste or an investment in our future?

Tax Yield. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Fine Gael should wake up and smell the roses. It is living in one of the most successful economies in the world. The Opposition cannot stand the fact that our policies are working. It is driving them nuts.

Tax Yield. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have met with people in my constituency. Everyone smiled at me all the weekend. Fine Gael people walked up to me and thanked me. They are great pals of mine.

Tax Yield. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I cannot win with the Labour Party.

Tax Yield. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I never before received such a reception. The Deputies should accompany me on my trip to Mullingar next weekend because it will help them.

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have received no such representations. Furthermore, Ireland cannot be regarded as a tax haven. We have a comprehensive taxation system covering income, capital and indirect taxes. In addition, Ireland has 44 tax treaties in place, a system of full exchange of information and proper regulation of activities to the highest standards. Finally, I again emphasise that companies locate here for a...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Many of the jobs to which the Deputy refers are not minimum wage jobs but are excellent, well paid jobs. They are being sought by many other countries throughout the world but we have successfully brought them here. Many of them are from expanding Irish companies that are making a bigger impact than ever before in many competitive markets. I agreed with the points made by the chairman of the...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The idea that we do not have an economic strategy is nonsense. This does not happen by accident. It occurs because we make the right choices. It is true that the Deputy's former leader made an application for a 12.5% corporation tax rate. The work done by Deputy Harney and the former Deputy, Mr. McCreevy, on the application when this Government came into office, as well as the subsequent...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Interrupting me does not change the facts. The Deputy asked a question and she should allow me the courtesy of giving an answer. We are bringing forward a strategy under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Buckley, who is ensuring all the recommendations from Professor O'Driscoll's excellent report are implemented. We are also making serious strategic decisions on the investment in third level...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I would like to have one.

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The measures I announced on 20 October 2005 on value for money build on existing structures to assist better management of capital projects and programmes and follow the initiative announced by the Government on 11 October on the management of information and communications technology projects and consultancies. I have written to all Ministers asking them to ensure their Departments take...

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: We will not be involved in a situation where we undermine our own position. We will proceed with the private hospitals' initiative because that is Government policy. We will also ensure that as projects seek approval, my Department will be consulted in the normal way. The arrangements in place for capital appraisal guidelines, which apply to all Departments in respect of all projects of a...

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I did not say that in my reply.

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: My initial reply will confirm what I said, namely, that the capital appraisal guidelines apply to all projects across all Departments in the normal way. I also pointed out to the Deputy that while she disagrees with the policy initiative, that does not mean we are going to abandon it.

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: On the Deputy's second point, I do not see it as the Department of Finance's role to do the job of every other Department. It is not good for the Department of Finance to try to micromanage every other Department. The direct stereotypical view of people in politics is that the Department of Finance has been micromanaging for far too long, in fact, and in that sense, that it is holding up...

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is not my proposal. The second point——

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: We want to ensure, particularly with information and communications technology, that we are apprised ab initio and throughout the process to ensure we know the scope of a project. In the past we have been prepared to give budgets to line Departments to enable them to proceed with their ICT and technology issues to bring about a more effective service. We were all agreed on this. These issues...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is being his usual succinct self.