Results 3,721-3,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: A reduction in the higher rate of tax is one of a number of ways in which the level of personal taxation may be reduced. The question of such a reduction is a matter for consideration in the context of the annual Budget.

Written Answers — Taxation Policy: Taxation Policy (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government's approach to taxation and to the delivery of public services is set out in its Agreed Programme for Government and recent Budgets, Finance Bills, Estimates for Public Services and Public Capital Programmes. Our taxation policy is designed to maintain and strengthen the competitive position of the economy , foster economic and social development, and equity, while maintaining a...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that inquiries relating to residence are a feature of the risk based programmes operated by Revenue. The procedures adopted in relation to validating a claim to non-residence status depend on the circumstances in each case. The administration of the validation procedures is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners and the methods used to verify claims...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government's budgetary strategy is based on the objective of continued budgetary sustainability both in the medium-term and the long-run, in line with the requirements of the Stability and Growth Pact. This Government considers that prudent fiscal policies underpin competitiveness, support growth and create flexibility to respond effectively to economic shocks. Of particular importance is...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 3.8 per cent in April. A large proportion of the rise in the annual inflation rate is due to external factors such as higher oil prices and recent rises in interest rates by the ECB. Higher energy costs largely reflect the trend in international energy prices. The Government has no control over international...

Written Answers — Household Indebtedness: Household Indebtedness (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Residential construction has grown rapidly in recent times. Supply of housing has increased in response to strong levels of demand, which, in turn, have arisen from a number of fundamental demographic and economic factors. Total completions in 2005 reached an historic high of about 81 thousand units. Construction employment growth was also particularly strong in 2005 and now accounts for one...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 140 and 267 together. The range of services offered by credit card providers to subscribing retailers and cardholders is primarily a matter of private contract, and I have no legislative role in specifying the form of those services. Commercial considerations such as demand, cost and technical feasibility will influence the range of features offered by...

Written Answers — Public Service Employment: Public Service Employment (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: The policy on numbers employed in the public service has succeeded in cutting back on the rapid rise in public service employment in the period 1997 to 2002. This took place at a time of significant increases both in employment in the economy generally and in the population with the corresponding increased demand for public services. Numbers employed in the Civil Service, Defence, Local...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 97 and 141 together. The Deputies might wish to note that in the period in question, average tax rates have fallen for all categories of taxpayer and, for 2006, an unprecedented number of low paid income earners are projected to be outside the tax net altogether. In addition, the latest OECD data relating to the year 2005 indicate that for the single worker on...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 3.8% in April. A large proportion of the rise in the annual inflation rate is due to external factors such as higher oil prices and recent rises in interest rates by the ECB. On the assumption of unchanged interest rates, I expect inflation to moderate in the second half of the year. Higher inflation would lead to...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Latest figures show that over 14,600 FOI requests were made in 2005 compared to about 12,600 in 2004. The number of FOI requests made by journalists has also increased. According to the Information Commissioner's recent Annual Report, 963 requests were made by journalists in 2005, compared with 870 in 2004. The level of FOI requests being made by journalists is still down on that witnessed in...

Written Answers — Credit Union Regulation: Credit Union Regulation (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: In my address to the Consultative General Meeting (CGM) of the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) on 29 April 2006, I acknowledged the success of the credit union movement in Ireland and the opportunities and challenges for the future. In that context, I noted the important role of the legislative and regulatory framework in influencing the future development of the credit union model. I...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Interest rates are currently very low in historical terms, and the recent increases would appear to have had a limited impact on the economy so far. Future impacts depend on future increases and on the state of the EU and world economy generally at the time.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have always been willing to consider matters relevant to my Ministerial responsibilities which have been raised in this House or elsewhere and where appropriate to take steps to allay any concerns which prove to be soundly based. I understand that the report to which the Deputy refers was published only last week and is relatively wide-ranging. I will have it examined and its conclusions...

Written Answers — Home Reversion Products: Home Reversion Products (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Home reversion products primarily involve the sale of a part of the interest in a property. Unlike Equity Release Mortgages they do not constitute a financial service that would be subject to supervision by the Financial Regulator. However, I recognise that there are strong similarities in purpose and procedures between both types of transactions and that both products appear to compete for...

Written Answers — Revenue Investigations: Revenue Investigations (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that arising from the Clerical Medical Insurance/NIB inquiry, 465 cases have been targeted for investigation. To date, 308 cases have been settled on payment of tax, interest and penalties amounting to a total of €53.82 m. A further 122 cases have been finalised with no additional liability arising. The remaining 35 cases are the subject of ongoing...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: Public procurement guidelines issued by my Department require contracting authorities to ensure that tenderers have regard to minimum pay and other legally binding industrial or sectoral agreements when preparing tenders and that tender documents should have an appropriate reference to this. Regulations to transpose recently revised EU Directives on public procurement, currently being...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: There is a 2% stamp duty that is charged on most non-life insurance premiums and is part of the normal stamp duty system. The exceptions are re-insurance, voluntary health insurance, marine, aviation and transit insurance and export credit insurance. It was introduced in 1982. The yield over recent years has been as follows: Year Yield (€m) 2000 57.0 2001 69.1 2002...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: As part of its consumer protection role, the Financial Regulator reviewed a sample of SSIA documents sent by financial institutions to their customers to see that they are clear and transparent. Some financial institutions had, along with the SSIA4 form, sent other documents to their customers, including direct debit mandates and forms for other savings products. The Financial Regulator was...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (23 May 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 147 together. I reject entirely the Deputies allegations about the role and equity of the indirect tax system. A simple look at the facts will show that the conclusions in the report referred to are misdirected. Firstly, there is no VAT on the main low income items such as food, oral medicines, children's shoes and clothing. Secondly, most excise...