Results 341-360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I do not have one. Does Deputy Burton have one?
- Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I find I do not need one.
- Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I do it all on my own.
- Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: They are my two PR advisers up at the back.
- Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I have forgotten all the questions.
- Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: These are matters to be taken up with the Revenue Commissioners. People have to be informed of their entitlements. I understand that when the Revenue Commissioners make contact with taxpayers they give out information with the forms to let people know what they are entitled to claim and so on. At the end of the day the Revenue Commissioners are there to collect revenue based on the...
- Flood Relief. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Office of Public Works is currently completing the phase 2 works on the River Tolka which were commenced in 2004 following public exhibition by Dublin City Council under part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The OPW and the city council are currently in discussions on a programme of works for 2005. The priority for the OPW since the works commenced in early 2003 has...
- Flood Relief. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I understood Deputy Gregory's political sensitivity was constituency-wide. I will ensure the contributions raised during this exchange are brought to the attention of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, and Dublin City Council.
- Flood Relief. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I hope these matters will be taken into account at the meeting that will take place shortly to discuss what works will be carried out by the Office of Public Works in respect of these potential flooding problems. I hope it will become clearer as to what will be done in the course of the year. I will bring the issues raised by Deputy Gregory to the attention of both parties.
- Flood Relief. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: That is a serious issue for residents in the area. This must be addressed in a manner to satisfy the insurance companies to re-insure those houses. It would be helped if, as a result of the meetings between Dublin City Council and the Office of Public Works, some works will be agreed. I will take these matters up with both parties. I do not have a detailed knowledge of the issues raised by...
- Proposed Legislation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I am aware of the difficulties the Revenue Commissioners experience when attempting to prosecute persons who collude in or facilitate tax evasion. This has been raised at the Committee of Public Accounts and in the media. I have considered this matter in the context of the Finance Bill, which will be published later this week. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further in advance...
- Proposed Legislation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: The question of revenue law assisting the Revenue Commissioners is under consideration in my Department on foot of representations by the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners. I have sought the advice of the Attorney General's office and I will make an announcement on this matter when the Finance Bill is published on Thursday.
- Proposed Legislation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: The current legislative provision covers the offence of assisting someone in making an incorrect return. This narrowly defined offence is specific. To address this difficulty a new offence of facilitating tax evasion, along similar lines to the recently enacted criminal justice legislation and the UK model would have to be considered. These are matters on which I have taken advice and I will...
- Proposed Legislation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: The legislative base is rather narrow and restrictive. The creation of an offence regarding aiding and abetting of tax evasion is a matter on which I have taken advice. I cannot comment further on the matter until Thursday.
- Proposed Legislation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners made representations.
- Proposed Legislation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I have not seen any.
- Financial Services Regulation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: While I do not have a statutory function in this matter, I am aware there are bank drafts which have remained uncashed for various periods. The overall regulation of the banking system is a matter for the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority. I have not been made aware by that body or any other organisation that there is any particular dissatisfaction with the way banks issue drafts...
- Financial Services Regulation. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: The bank has no way of knowing where the bank draft is if no one presents it. The person to receives it does not have to have a bank account, which creates difficulties. The point is made in terms of investigating the matter to determine the extent of uncashed bank drafts, what are the ownership issues, what advice can be obtained from the Attorney General and what should be the period of...
- Budgetary Process. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: I am currently examining a number of options for change which could be implemented in the short and medium term. Any changes to current practices would need to meet best practice, improve both the quality of debate and the data available to the House on the budget, meet our obligations to the EU and be capable of being delivered within the existing budget timetable. I will discuss shortly the...
- Budgetary Process. (1 Feb 2005)
Brian Cowen: Given the documents which I have read, these issues are certainly on the Deputy's mind. As I said, I am prepared to consider how we might be able to improve the budgetary process. I have not reached a decision on how this might be done. I am consulting with my officials and preparing some ideas for consideration by Government. The reason I am not being very specific at the moment is because I...