Results 3,561-3,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am pleased to have this opportunity to update the House on the position regarding the decentralisation of FÁS. Under the Government's decentralisation programme, FÁS is due to move its head office to Birr, County Offaly. FÁS is one of the seven State agencies identified as early movers by the decentralisation implementation group from among the 30 agencies covered by the programme. It...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: They are the facts.

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: We recognise also that there is a need to address the concerns of people remaining in Dublin. The Deputy refers to the low take-up rate of staff in FÁS. The data to date indicate that the number of internal applicants is low. However, the Deputy may also be aware that some unions represented in State agencies have effectively opposed the central applications process. This has resulted in a...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am a former Minister for Labour and I know what industrial relations are about. I have always worked through the machinery. At no time have I sought to influence a scenario which does not respect the legitimate interests of everybody with regard to this matter. I have stated in my speech that it is through dialogue that we will deal with these problems. The assertion made by the Deputy that...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The political assertions made by the Deputy are, as usual, without foundation.

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have answered the matter factually.

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is either mischievous or ignorant of the facts. I think it is mischievous.

Decentralisation Programme. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should get his facts right.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: While the promotion of biofuels, which would include rapeseed oil, is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006, I have provided for significant excise tax reliefs to promote biofuels in Ireland. The new large-scale scheme of excise relief is likely to stimulate much activity...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the income tax affairs of the taxpayer are up to date. PAYE Balancing Statements for the years 2002 to 2005 inclusive have issued to the taxpayer, together with cheques for refunds arising.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: In recognition of the need to tackle the issue of climate change and reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, this Government has introduced a number of tax reliefs aimed at promoting environmentally friendly vehicles, in addition to the promotion of alternative motor fuels. Firstly, a VRT relief for hybrid electric vehicles was introduced in January 2001. The purpose of the scheme — which...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Under the EU Energy Tax Directive — 2003/96/EC — Ireland, together with virtually all other Member States, has a number of derogations, which are set to expire at the end of this year. These derogations, effectively exemptions from the requirement to apply EU minimum and maximum excise tax rates, are varied in nature. For example, they include the tax reliefs which apply under the...

Written Answers — Environmental Assessments: Environmental Assessments (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: My Department does not have any plans or programmes, which have been identified as requiring strategy environmental assessments under the European Communities (Environmental Assessment of Certain Plans and Programmes) Regulations 2004. I have asked the Office of Public Works to provide information directly to the Deputy, in relation to any relevant plans or programmes, which that Office may...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: As part of the Decentralisation Programme it is intended that Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) will decentralise to Dungarvan, County Waterford. I am informed by OSI that arrangements for decentralisation are proceeding in accordance with their implementation plan and that a site has been acquired in Dungarvan by the Office of Public Works (OPW). OSI have submitted a detailed plan of its...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Daily newspapers, both on-line and in printed format, are made available to senior managers, and other staff where appropriate, as a current knowledge of Irish and international economic and other developments is in many instances integral to the duties of the job. The tables give details of the number of daily newspapers supplied to staff members on a grade by grade basis and of the costs of...

Written Answers — Structural Funds: Structural Funds (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Structural Funds investments are delivered through seven Operational Programmes under the National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/CSF) 2000 to 2006. These Programmes are directly managed and implemented by Government Departments, the Regional Assemblies or other agencies. Under the EU Structural Funds regulations, expenditure incurred on EU co-funded measures can continue...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The preparation of the next NDP (2007-2013) is proceeding at present. Proposals for investment under the next NDP will be considered across a wide range of policy areas. The final composition, priorities, structure and objectives of the next NDP with supporting financial allocations are ultimately a matter for consideration and decision by Government and the issue of NDP funding for...

Seanad: National Pensions Reserve Fund: Motion. (3 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I welcome this motion, as it gives me an opportunity to reaffirm the Government's continuing support for the purpose for which the National Pensions Reserve Fund was established and to set out, without ambiguity, the Government's commitment to the future of the fund. Population ageing, and the profound issues it gives rise to, is emerging in the developed world as one of the major public...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (4 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Where a person dies intestate and with no known next-of-kin, the estate of that person passes to the State. Under Section 73 of the Succession Act, 1965, the Minister for Finance has power to waive the States interest in such an estate. A charity could benefit from such a waiver if it could show that it had performed services for the deceased or that the deceased had expressed a wish that the...

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (4 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The membership of the Department of Finance's Audit Committee is: ∙Mr. Michael Flynn (Chairperson), National Director of Internal Audit, Health Services Executive. ∙Mr. Peter Crilly, Director of Operational Risk, Bank of Scotland (Ireland) Limited. ∙Ms Anne Vaughan, Principal Officer, Department of Social and Family Affairs. ∙Mr. Aidan Dunning, Assistant Secretary, Department of...