Results 26,861-26,880 of 33,214 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: While I am on my feet, I extend to the Deputy and all her colleagues in Fianna Fáil condolences on the passing of Dr. Dermot Fitzpatrick, an avuncular gentleman and an exemplary public servant. I know his loss will be felt among his colleagues in Fianna Fáil.

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: On the issue relating to passports, God knows, a holiday is a very precious thing at present. We really know the value of being able to leave the country and travel elsewhere now. For constituents to find themselves unable to do it at the last moment due to a passport difficulty, we all know and are dealing with the difficulties that creates. The Minister for Foreign Affairs is doing all...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising such an important matter for our island. The Minister for Foreign Affairs has commented on the announcement Deputy Richmond has raised. The Government and all Deputies in this House will continue to be very clear about the sanctity of the Good Friday Agreement and the need for it to be protected in all aspects. The Government and the European Union have been...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: In general, the Deputy makes a very important point that in spending money on preventing further health difficulties, every cent of it is always well spent. I am sure the Minister for Health is aware of the issue the Deputy raised and I am sure a meeting can be set up, if not with the Minister then his senior officials, to respond to the group that is raising this important matter. I will...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: It is not a matter of the Government putting pressure on the HSE. The HSE will be well aware of the importance of dental care and, in particular, the importance of young girls and boys getting the help and support they need early in life to look after their teeth and their dental needs. I will follow up to see why no further engagement is planned, as the Deputy has just suggested. I...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy's support of, and work for, Shannon Airport and the Shannon Group are well known to me and to all in the Shannon Group and in the airport. Like the Deputy, I acknowledge the massive progress the airport has made after a very difficult 2020 and 2021, with services and transatlantic access very positive news. Of course, for any group to lose a person of the calibre of Mr. Ó...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I should have acknowledged Senator Fitzpatrick also. I know she has been inspired by the service her late father gave. We cannot but be moved when we spend time with those arriving to our country and fleeing their homes. We cannot but be moved by all they have gone through and be reminded of the commitments we will have to them in future. With regard to the particular point made by the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not aware of the Government's commitment to the A5 project being in any way diminished or changed. I will of course follow up on any development that may have prompted the Deputy's question. I am aware as a former Minister with responsible for transport of the particular status of the road and how important it is to the communities the Deputy has referred to. I am sure some of the...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I need hardly tell the Deputy there is no silver lining in this awful cloud and the dark skies we are all confronting together. The Deputy's point and question is a reminder of the skills and expertise that will be coming to our country with people leaving their homes for reasons we all know are appalling and have to be condemned at every moment. I am also well aware of the need that we...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The review is reasonably well advanced. In a few months' time we will organise a public stakeholder event to which we will invite all who have views regarding the development of our banking sector, whether it be the digital providers to which the Deputy has referred or, for example, Sparkassen and the community banking needs that have been debated...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputies Durkan and Smith for raising these issues. I know Deputy Smith is raising this matter for all the right reasons but equally she knows I cannot give an update on the status of any individual deportation issue or anybody whose status is being considered in our country at present. I am sure the Department of Justice is aware of the issue she is raising given the protest to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) was introduced in 2013 with the aim of providing support to road haulage and bus transport operators when the retail price of diesel is relatively high. The DRS is provided for in section 99A of Finance Act 1999 and operates on a sliding scale basis, whereby a partial rebate of excise duty in the form of Mineral Oil Tax (MOT) is available when the retail price...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Equality Issues (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: It should be noted that the Minister for Finance has no direct function in the operations of banks. Actions taken by the banks are matters for the board and management of the institution. The Central Bank's consumer protection framework is designed to ensure that customers’ best interests are protected. It requires regulated entities to provide reasonable arrangements and/or...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief the applicant must hold a Primary...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Data (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: Section 118(5G) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the cycle to work scheme. This scheme provides an exemption from benefit-in-kind where an employer purchases a bicycle and associated safety equipment up to a maximum of €1,500 for e-bikes and €1,250 for other bicycles for an employee to use, in whole or in part, to travel to work. These thresholds were increased...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (24 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As I advised in relation to question 315 of 18 May last, I acknowledge the cost pressures on parents with young children. In recognition of these pressures, a number of support measures are already in place to ease the burden on working parents. These include various tax-exemptedfinancial supports provided by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to assist...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (29 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 257 and 259 together. I propose to take these questions together as they are related. Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) provides for tax relief where an individual proves that he or she has incurred costs in respect of qualifying health expenses. Only “health expenses” incurred in the provision of “health...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Housing Schemes (29 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment. The incentive gives a refund on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the State over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (29 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 260 and 261 together. Ireland’s taxation of fuel is governed by European Union law as set out in Directive 2003/96/EC, commonly known as the Energy Tax Directive (ETD). The ETD prescribes minimum tax rates for fuel with which all Member States must comply. ETD provisions on mineral oils are transposed into national law in Finance Act 1999 (as amended)....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (29 Mar 2022)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware officials in my Department and their colleagues in Brussels are in frequent contact with the European Commission across a wide range of issues. Discussions may include direct bilateral contact as well as engagement at Working Parties, High Level Working Parties and at Coreper. In addition, as Minister for Finance and President of the Eurogroup I engage directly...