Results 4,181-4,200 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As I stated in my Budget speech, the Government has now fulfilled its commitment contained in the Programme for Government to increase the rate of mortgage interest relief to 30 per cent for first-time buyers who took out their first mortgage in the period 2004 to 2008. I will be looking at the technical detail of how this will operate in the preparation of the Finance Bill.

Written Answers — Economic and Monetary Union: Economic and Monetary Union (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As I have stated previously, there are many risks in the economic environment which are fully taken into account by me, in conjunction with my Department and the agencies that report to me. The euro is a firm and solid currency and there is no market expectation or Irish Government expectation of a collapse in the currency. The Central Bank continues to produce euro currency.

Written Answers — Illicit Trade in Tobacco: Illicit Trade in Tobacco (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax, and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco, that the strategy employed by Revenue to tackle this illicit trade is multifaceted. It includes ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of the problem, developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international...

Written Answers — European Stability Mechanism: European Stability Mechanism (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, on 11 July 2011, the 17 Euro Area Finance Ministers signed the Treaty establishing the European Stability Mechanism (ESM), subject to the completion of the necessary national parliamentary procedure and subsequent ratification. The text of the ESM Treaty agreed on 11 July 2011 provides that the ESM shall have a Board of Governors, that each ESM Member shall...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As part of the move to the greater use of shared services in the public sector in order to drive efficiencies, the Paymaster General's Office, which is part of my Department, is taking over the payment, on an agency basis, of pensions of the retired staff of the Vocation Education Committees. Payment of these pensions was previously made through the local authorities. The Paymaster General's...

Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 101 and 115 together. Every reasonable person sympathises with the employees arising from the failure of the company concerned and its shareholders to pay them their redundancy payments. While NAMA fully appreciates how difficult the situation is for the people who have lost their jobs, it advises me that it has no loans or relationship with the company...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: Both the Chairman of NAMA and I have separately explained on several occasions over the past few months that NAMA decides whether or not to work with any particular debtor on the basis of what will generate the maximum return for the taxpayer. NAMA only works with developers where it considers that this will provide the best return to the taxpayer. NAMA will continue to make its decisions on...

Written Answers — Revenue Operations: Revenue Operations (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Year Number of seizures of "illegal fuel" from filling stations Litres of "illegal fuel" seized 2008 9 45,500 2009 7 31,040 2010 14 130,100 2011 53 299,357 I would add that in 2011 a total of 32 filling stations were "shut down" by Revenue for unlicensed trading.

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I announced two proposals in Budget 2012 relating to "legacy" property-based tax relief schemes in line with the Programme for Government commitment to reduce, cap or abolish such reliefs which benefit very high income earners. The Budget measures comprise: a property reliefs surcharge and a cap on Accelerated Capital Allowance Schemes. Virtually all the area-based and property tax incentive...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 76 of the Finance Act 1982 inserted a new subsection in what is now Section 28(2) of the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010. The measure dealt with the VAT treatment of the supply of services by barristers. When a barrister supplies a service he or she is not legally entitled to receive a fee in respect of that supply, even though...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the transport of passengers and their accompanying baggage is exempt from VAT under Paragraph 14(3) Schedule 1, Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act, 2010. All domestic VAT legislation must comply with EU legislation, in particular the EU VAT Directive. The exemption for passenger transport is provided by means of Article 371 of the VAT Directive...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the overall approach to tackling compliance is to examine all the risks to the Exchequer and to make the appropriate intervention in a carefully selected case. The appropriate intervention is the one considered to be the most effective in targeting the specific risk or risks identified, and to influence the compliance behaviour of the taxpayer....

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: In response to the Deputy's question my Department and agencies under the remit of my Department do not own properties in office complexes in which a management company is in place.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The interest restriction on residential landlords introduced in the April 2009 supplementary budget was part of an urgent revenue-raising package aimed at stabilising the public finances. The reduction in the level at which interest could be claimed significantly reduced the cost of this relief to the Exchequer. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the amount of tax foregone in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As I stated in my Budget speech, the Government has now fulfilled its commitment contained in the Programme for Government to increase the rate of mortgage interest relief to 30 per cent for first-time buyers who took out their first mortgage in the period 2004 to 2008. I will be looking at the technical detail of how this will operate in the preparation of the Finance Bill.

Written Answers — Mortgage Arrears Working Group: Mortgage Arrears Working Group (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 119 together. Last October the Government published the Report of the Inter-Departmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears and, as the Deputies are aware, the Report was subsequently the subject of an extensive Dáil debate. The implementation of the report's recommendations is a key part of the Government's ongoing efforts to tackle mortgage...

Written Answers — Bank Drafts: Bank Drafts (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Central Bank that it is a matter for the payee when he or she wishes to cash a bank draft. I have no knowledge of the number or amount of bank drafts that remain uncashed for five years or longer.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Office of Public Works is involved in most purchases and leasing of buildings and lands by the State. In relation to any property occupied by the Department of Finance, this Department would always consult with the OPW before any agreements are entered into with landlords. My Department owns most equipment in use in this Department. However some equipment can only be leased. An example...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the revenue accruing to the Exchequer through various motor taxes i.e. excise and carbon tax on petrol and auto-diesel, vehicle registration tax and VAT, from 2009 to date is shown in the following table. As VAT receipts are not disaggregated by sector, the figures shown for VAT are estimated. VAT figures for 2011 are not yet available....

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (11 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested, estimated by reference to the income tax year 2011, is set out in the following table. However, because of the Revenue Commissioners' obligation to observe confidentiality in relation to the taxation affairs of individual taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers, the breakdown by income bands requested by the Deputy is...