Results 4,181-4,200 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is also not true to say that where there are problems, no progress whatsoever is being made. That simplistic debate is a turn-off for the electorate which is more sophisticated than that and deserves a higher level of debate. Reflecting on what the Government is doing in the areas of health, education, social welfare and the capital programme, expenditure in these areas accounts for 80% of...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: With respect, we listened to what the Deputy had to say, yet she interrupts again. At what stage will the Opposition deal with the issue of such waste by being specific? Where is money being wasted in education? It is the Opposition's contention that we should be spending more money on education. We are doing this. One Member opposite referred to disadvantaged programmes. The Minister for...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: We should be clear about this issue if we are to debate it but we should acknowledge what is being achieved. If they wish, Opposition members can come forward with alternative approaches on the way the money can be spent but we must ensure it adds up. They cannot pick and choose to suit their argument.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: To take education as an example, Deputies Rabbitte and Kenny sat at the Cabinet table and agreed to cut teacher numbers and free school funding. That happened. We replaced that agenda with a sustained commitment to education. On crime, there is much debate each week in the House about Garda numbers but the rainbow Government cut Garda numbers.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: In 1997 it opposed our plan to hire 1,200 extra gardaí. In 2002 it stated it would be impossible for us to hire a further 2,000 gardaí but now states we have not hired enough. That does not inform the public about the issues to ensure we have safer streets in our communities.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: We will defend our fiscal policies and continue to manage the economy responsibly. Deputy Kenny spoke about election bribes. He should look at his party's programme at the last general election. It was an appalling indictment of an Opposition which had no clear vision of where it was going. The Government will continue to work through the national development plan, the plans we have for...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: —— and things are going terribly badly because we are in government. It is really an attempt by the Opposition parties to overcome the frustration at being out of power, which I can understand. I look forward to next year and having a sensible, literate, informed debate on the economic and social direction the country should take, which will not be based on fatigued government or...

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: They are the equivalent of the entire Labour parliamentary party.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: Place your trust in Deputy Rabbitte.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: Just because the Labour Party trusts him does not mean we will.

Government Record: Motion (Resumed). (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: There will be no reverse takeovers here.

Written Answers — Financial Confidentiality: Financial Confidentiality (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I indicated yesterday in reply to a question on this issue from Deputy Michael D Higgins, it is my understanding from media reports that the US authorities have had access, for the purpose of identifying terrorist financing, to information from a Belgium-based and financial industry owned company with US offices that operates a worldwide messaging system used to transmit electronic...

Written Answers — Tax Statistics: Tax Statistics (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I intend to take Questions Nos. 194, 195, 196, 198 and 200 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that PRSI and income levies are not included in the tax figures used in the study. The Revenue Commissioners collect PRSI and income levies on behalf of the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the Department of Health and Children. They are treated as income tax only for...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am not clear what additional details the Deputy requires in relation to the information provided in my reply to question no. 113 of 8th June 2006. However, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the average rate of tax paid by high wealth individuals in 2002 and 2003 was arrived at by expressing the aggregate tax paid as a percentage of the aggregate income of the individuals...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they do not comment on the tax affairs of specific taxpayers. In relation to the methodology used for the top 400 study, I am advised that in calculating the effective rate used in the study, the income figure used was the figure before deducting specific reliefs, such as capital allowances or trading losses. Speaking generally, ships or yachts...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: The TSG papers for the 2006 Budget were published on the Department of Finance website on Friday, 30th June 2006. The documents may be viewed on www.finance.gov.ie — Policy Areas and Publications — TSG Group.

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government in mid 2004 decided to reform construction procurement so as to help achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and more cost effective delivery of public works projects. My Department, with the assistance of the Government Contracts Committee for Construction (GCCC), specialist legal drafters and external technical expertise, has now developed a suite of Standard...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: The provision of passenger transport services, including school transport services, is exempt from VAT under the EU Sixth VAT Directive. This means that school transport providers do not charge VAT on the services they supply and cannot recover VAT on the goods and services that they purchase for use in providing that service. Essentially, only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to furnish precise figures of the VAT take on house purchases, as the information sought on VAT returns does not require the yield from particular sectors of trade to be identified. However, based on data published by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the estimated additional net VAT yield from...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (5 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: A 2% stamp duty 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 in 2005 is €90.8m. The purpose of the non-life levy is to broaden the stamp duty base while maintaining low direct tax...