Results 3,401-3,420 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: If there was one thing about which he was consistent it was that reform of stamp duty was not on his agenda. His agenda was full of good things, including a reduction in the tax rate from 41% to 40%, PRSI was to be reformed and home care tax credits were to be reformed. The list of tax reform was lengthy. The one thing he would not reform is the one thing he has changed today, a victory...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: It is welcome but it is coming too late, after stamp duty revenue and sales have halved in the past nine months and confidence is at a low ebb. It does not represent a proper housing policy and we must examine the detail of a dysfunctional housing policy over which the Minister and his colleagues preside. I welcome the increase in mortgage relief, a concession of €800 in cash terms. It...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Government Ministers are able to impose price increases of 45% but in the real world, people are being obliged to make major cuts, economise, make cost savings and still deliver products on time in order to survive. That sort of culture needs to be introduced in the public sector. However, thinking along these lines is miles away from that which occurs around the Cabinet table. With his...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: It will, however, generate revenue. The truth is that the average motorist already pays €2,500 each year in tax. It has been estimated that the environmental damage done by most cars with petrol engines stands at 9 cent per litre. However, the Minister is collecting €2,500 per annum from motorists. They are a soft touch and that is what is behind the change in motor taxation.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: The change to which I refer has nothing to do with reforming the position in order to meet environmental needs. I welcome the changes relating to VRT. These changes are timely and I agree with the Ministers for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputies Ryan and Gormley, on the need to take climate change seriously. However,...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: It is well past the time for a wake up call. The alarm bells have long been ringing about the way our public finances are being managed. People want to see change. It is not enough for the Minister to repeat the mantra that the Government is committed to the NDP. The latter is important, particularly if it is delivered effectively, on time and on budget and if the projects relating to it...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: The Government engages in too much easy thinking and takes too many soft options regarding the way it approaches its responsibilities. We cannot afford the cosy practice the Minister, Deputy Cowen, has again adopted this year of allocating money and leaving all existing services intact. That was the purpose of the big book with which we were presented in October. Everything that is already...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: ——and the days of unwarranted pay increases, big bureaucracy, soft-option politics and loose spending are also at an end. Things must change. The Government has forgotten what it is to survive in a small open economy. One must be alert, nimble and quick to change. There is a new generation in Ireland, the members of which are ambitious, energetic and creative. These people give their...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 110: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if retailers have the right or the obligation to provide details of the VAT element in the bill they issued to consumers; and if there is guidance on this issue either from the Revenue Commissioners here or from the EU Commission. [32750/07]

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 113: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the basis on which the capital grant towards the cost of the provision of nursery child care facilities for children with acute disadvantages has been set at €26,000; if he will review this in view of the rising cost of construction of appropriate facilities in this field; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32863/07]

Written Answers — Infectious Diseases: Infectious Diseases (5 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 131: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there is international evidence to suggest that restrictions on the visiting arrangements to hospitals would make a significant contribution to controlling the spread of hospital infections; if there are protocols indicating when such controls should be implemented which have occurred on a number of occasions in respect of the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (6 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 175: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his views on whether private citizens are saving enough to provide for pension provision; and his further views on whether the target of 50% of working earnings is a standard that can be achieved universally. [29686/07]

Written Answers — Cancer Screening Programme: Cancer Screening Programme (11 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 240: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has reviewed the evidence in support of her policy of ending the application of free BreastCheck at age 65; her estimate of the extra cost of extending the age for providing BreastCheck; the way this compares with the benefits that would be conferred by picking up illness early; and if she will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Port Development: Port Development (11 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 363: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt the commitment to assess alternative locations such as Cork, Bremore and Greenore to provide this additional capacity needed by 2014; his role to date...

Written Answers — State Examinations: State Examinations (11 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 714: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will reconsider the decision to timetable chemistry after English paper two due to the extra pressure it will place on students studying this subject of considerable national priority; and if she will restore chemistry to its position later in the schedule when it is not accompanying a core universal subject. [33833/07]

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (11 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 960: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt finalisation by Dublin City Council of best future options for the bay, the preferred option recommended to the...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (11 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 961: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt the work of the task force on Dublin Bay which he proposes to establish which has the mandate to recommend new...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (11 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 962: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on whether the decision of An Bord Pleanála to allow Dublin Port to apply for land reclamation to facilitate 600,000 TEU capacity per annum as a strategic infrastructure will pre-empt the planned SPA designation to include this part of the bay to meet the requirement of EU directives on protection...

Overseas Missions. (12 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 76: To ask the Minister for Defence the expected date for the commencement of the Chad mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34428/07]

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (12 Dec 2007)

Richard Bruton: Question 57: To ask the Minister for Defence the projected cost of transporting all Irish troops and their equipment, personal and otherwise, to and from Chad over the duration of the participation of the Defence Forces in the forthcoming EU mission there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34429/07]