Results 4,441-4,460 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — National Anthem: National Anthem (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: In response to the Deputy's question, I have previously provided a response to a question put down by the Deputy on 11 May 2011 (ref: 10806/11) in relation to the translated version of the National Anthem that is commonly in use today. In that response I referred to an article that was written by Ms Ruth Sherry, Professor of English in the University of Trondheim in Norway entitled "The...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Paymaster General's Office, which is part of my Department, has two operational units. One of the units provides a banking service to Departments and Offices. It is not involved in policy matters. Due to automation of processes and the decline in the number of paper payments (payable orders) from 4.2 million in 2001 to 295,000 in 2011, it has been possible to reduce the number of staff...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I can confirm that an important function of the Office of the Paymaster General is the provision of online reporting facilities, which enable Departments and Offices to generate reports to assist them with the reconciliation of their accounts. The appointed Accounting Officer of each Department or Office is accountable for the spending of the Department/Office and, in that regard, is...

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: Under the Schedule (first part) of the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924, the Office of the Paymaster General and Deputy Paymaster for Ireland was assigned to the Department of Finance. As such the position is vested in the Minister for Finance and no additional remuneration or pension entitlement arises. The Office of the Paymaster General has two operational arms: one provides a banking...

Written Answers — Mortgage Arrears: Mortgage Arrears (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Government is acutely aware of the increasing financial stress that some households are facing arising from difficulty in meeting their mortgage commitments. The Government, therefore, established an Inter-Departmental Working Group on Mortgage Arrears to consider what additional measures could be introduced to assist people experiencing mortgage difficulty. The Group's report was...

Written Answers — Flood Insurance: Flood Insurance (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I have no plans to introduce a type of Government-backed insurance scheme outlined by the Deputy. The possible introduction of a scheme to protect householders who cannot obtain flood insurance from insurance companies was examined in 2010. However, at that time the Government concluded that such an approach was not financially viable. In particular, there were concerns that, over time,...

Written Answers — Eurozone Crisis: Eurozone Crisis (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The ESRI Quarterly Economic Commentary published in November suggested that there is a lack of coordinated action in the euro area and the situation contains elements reminiscent of policy making during the Great Depression. Since the start of the economic crisis, significant and bold policy actions have been undertaken by the ECB and by euro area Member States. As a result, an outright...

Written Answers — Eurozone Crisis: Eurozone Crisis (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157, 166 and 172 together. The independence of the European Central Bank is enshrined in the Treaty and in this context it is important that this be respected when commenting on such matters. In terms of developments in recent months, I would highlight the key role that the ECB is already playing in addressing the crisis. For instance, it is important to...

Written Answers — Economic Growth: Economic Growth (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: My fellow European Finance Ministers and I regularly discuss at Eurogroup and Ecofin meetings the economic situation in the EU, eurozone and in individual Member States. This is a useful exercise and particularly important at the current juncture given the very uncertain environment in which we are operating. This uncertainty is reflected in the wide range of growth projections for this...

Written Answers — Economic Growth: Economic Growth (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The European Commission released its Autumn Economic Forecast on 10th November 2011. The Commission believes that the global economy has moved to a lower growth trajectory and that real GDP growth in the EU came to a standstill around the end of 2011. Only in the second half of 2012 is a return to economic growth expected. GDP growth in 2011 is estimated at 1.5% in the euro area and 1.6%...

Written Answers — EU-IMF Programme: EU-IMF Programme (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The last time that I met formally with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was in June of last year in Washington. In terms of the discussion, I assured Secretary Geithner that our programme was on track, as had been confirmed in various quarterly reviews, and that political ownership of the programme was strong. Macroeconomic developments at both the European and global level were also...

Written Answers — Flood Insurance: Flood Insurance (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I have no plans to introduce a type of Government backed insurance scheme outlined by the Deputy. The possible introduction of a scheme to protect householders who cannot obtain flood insurance from insurance companies was examined in 2010. However, at that time the Government concluded that such an approach was not financially viable. In particular, there were concerns that, over time,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: The following are the current arrangements which apply in relation to the taxation of retirement lump sums paid under Revenue approved pension arrangements. These arrangements apply in both the public and private sectors and were introduced in Budget and Finance Act 2011: - Retirement lump sum amounts up to €200,000 are paid free of tax. They are also paid free of the Universal Social...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As I have stated clearly in the past, if such a tax cannot be introduced on a global basis, I think it would be better if it were introduced on an EU-wide basis. This would prevent any distortion of activity within the Union. Our major concern is that, if an FTT is introduced, it could affect the financial services industry, especially in the IFSC, and lead to some activities and jobs moving...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I met with a number of groups as part of the Budget 2012 process. These included ICTU, IBEC, the IFA, the ICMSA, the CIF and the Community and Voluntary Pillar. As the Deputy will be aware, the Pillar is comprised of seventeen organisations representing the interests of people from many different sectors of society. In addition, my Department received in the order of 700 submissions from...

Written Answers — Jobs Initiative: Jobs Initiative (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: As set out in Budget 2012, my Department expects the unemployment rate to gradually decline as the economy recovers. At present, the labour market is still in a weak state, as confirmed by the latest CSO Quarterly National Household Survey data. The unemployment rate is unacceptably high and people are still losing jobs. At the same time, some jobs are being created. Figures from the...

Written Answers — Eurobond Scheme: Eurobond Scheme (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: In November last year, the European Commission published a Green Paper on the feasibility of introducing Stability Bonds. The paper analyses the potential benefits and challenges of a number of approaches to common sovereign debt issuance among euro area Member States. In terms of process, the Commission is expected to indicate its views on the best way forward in mid-February, on the basis...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 173 together. As of the European Council meeting last night, 25 of the 27 EU Member States signed up to an intergovernmental agreement. The intention is to have the agreement signed in March. In these negotiations the Government at all times sought to protect Ireland's interests and also the jobs in the IFSC. In particular, while it was not mentioned...

Written Answers — EU-IMF Programme: EU-IMF Programme (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr Brendan Howlin T.D., and I met with the EU-IMF delegation during the recent quarterly review of the EU / IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland. These meetings were also attended by senior officials from both Departments. A wide range of topics was covered at these meetings, including financial reforms, structural...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (31 Jan 2012)

Michael Noonan: Deputy Martin will be aware that the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, at a meeting on 11 January 2012 of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, explained to the Committee Revenue's approach to using data that the Commissioners received from the DSP on long-term pension payments. The Chairman explained that Revenue's role is to collect the right amount of tax...