Results 2,881-2,900 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Section 34 of the Finance Act 2005 introduced a number of changes to the capital allowance regime for hotels, guesthouses, holiday hostels and holiday camps. Guesthouses and holiday hostels were specifically brought into the capital allowances regime for the first time. Also, the entitlement to the capital allowances was provided for the first time on the basis of buildings being registered...

Written Answers — Tax Certificates. : Tax Certificates. (7 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a certificate of tax credits and standard rate cut-off point for 2006 was issued on 31 January 2006 to the person whose details were supplied.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 278 and 279 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that where Revenue are satisfied that one spouse is resident in the State and the other spouse is not so resident and the non-resident spouse has no income, then the resident spouse may be granted the full tax credits and tax rate bands applicable to married couples under joint assessment. I am...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, taxpayer confidentiality requires that a Minister for Finance does not answer a parliamentary question about the tax affairs of an individual or company, other than when the Deputy is asking the question on behalf of the individual or company. In this instance, it is not clear that this is the case and in the circumstances, I regret I cannot comment on the tax...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (7 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the matter is still under investigation and as there is non-co-operation by the former employer, the date of completion is not known at this time. Revenue is aware that the continued difficulties being encountered with the former employer are resulting in a delay in the issue of form P21, which is necessary to finalise the third level...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Capital gains tax, CGT, is a tax on a capital gain arising on the disposal of assets. A 20% rate of CGT applies on the gains arising on the disposal of assets, including land which is the subject of a compulsory purchase order, CPO. This is the lowest rate of CGT in recent history. In budget 1998, the rate was halved from 40% to 20%. Where compensation is received for land that is...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (7 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The concept of ethical investment does not form part of the current legal framework governing investment activities. Ethical investment differs from conventional investment in that investment decisions are determined, at least partly, by non-financial criteria underpinned by personal beliefs or opinions. The ethical policy underlying a particular investment may be set out in a number of...

Finance Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Midlands solidarity.

Finance Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I thank the House for the many interesting contributions to the debate on the Finance Bill 2006. I look forward to a constructive and informed discussion on Committee Stage on the many matters raised. Much of the debate on the Finance Bill has focused on the question of tax reliefs. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of misinformed comment on this issue. First, let us be clear about who...

Finance Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Acting Chairman. I am obliged to him. Regarding pensions, Deputy Bruton has no doubts about the answers. However, does he not want us to study and analyse these issues also? The national pensions review produced by the Pensions Board provides a good base for the consideration which the Government is giving to the overall pensions situation. However, that consideration is a work in...

Finance Bill 2006: Referral to Select Committee. (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Commission has the right to initiate legislation in this area and has not proposed the introduction of such a stand-alone requirement in the structural fund regulations. The Commission's approach in the draft regulations ensures that activities supported by the Structural and Cohesion Funds comply with and reinforce Community legislation. While some member states have supported the...

Written Answers — Revenue Offices: Revenue Offices (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 220 and 236 together. I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are aware of the delays occurring in certain Revenue public offices. While the number of personal callers increases at the start of every tax year due to the number of queries related to budget changes and the issue of new tax credit certificates, more than 2 million of which will...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a certificate of tax credits and standard rate cut-off point will issue to each taxpayer shortly, which will include all credits to which each is entitled.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a letter issued to the taxpayer on 6 February 2006, requesting a completed tax return for 2005, together with forms P60 2005 for himself and his spouse. On receipt of the completed tax return, together with forms P60, this person's tax affairs for the year 2005 will be finalised and all relevant tax credits included.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The amount transferred from the national lottery fund account in the Central Bank of Ireland to the Exchequer was €172.684 million in 2001, €216.995 million in 2002, €204 million in 2003, €236.145 million in 2004 and €210.5 million in 2005. This funding was used to assist a wide range of projects in the areas of sport, youth activity, the arts, the Irish language, welfare, health...

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy's question relates to matters within the remit of the Minister for Transport and neither he nor I share the simplistic view expressed by the Deputy that the current backlog of driving tests is mainly due to the non recruitment of Department of Transport personnel. I have been fully supportive of the measures taken by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and outlined by him...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Stamp duty is a tax on certain documents, generally legal documents used in transferring property or in creating rights for the parties concerned. While one may be sympathetic in regard to individual cases, the stamp duty code does not provide exemptions based on an individual's particular individual circumstances and introducing such a provision would represent a significant departure from...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as the application of the tax rates in a tax computation occurs before tax credits are applied, the credits are not apportioned between the tax charged at the different tax rates. It is not possible, therefore, to quantify reliably the amount of income tax directly attributable to the individual tax rates on a post tax credit basis. However, I...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (8 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the figures for the annual VAT yield, on a net receipts basis, by rate are only available for the years 2002 to 2004, inclusive, and are estimated in the following table: VAT Rate % 2002 2003 2004 â'¬ million â'¬ million â'¬ million Farmers flat 4.3 -116 -108 4.4 -104 Reduced 12.5...