Results 4,541-4,560 of 6,295 for speaker:Michael D'Arcy

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I read the newspapers the Sunday before the budget, like everybody else. There were dozens of options but people chose to say there was one in it and that was the one. I absolutely reject Deputy Burton's view on a cabal, a leak, a cosy few, and it should not be coming from her. She is an experienced politician and she should not make statements of that nature about anybody else.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: Deputy Burton was in government for a long time too.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: It was confidential.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: The tax strategy group very clearly stated-----

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: -----that this was an option.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: Fine. I have said my say on this matter.

Finance Bill 2017: Order for Report Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: Deputy Boyd Barrett appears to be on his own on this one.

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: The other speakers may be on the left but not on this occasion. While I do not wish to go over old ground, I will place a couple of facts on record. The amendment would expand the current two-rate income tax system to a five or six-rate system. This would be in addition to the universal social charge system, under which five separate rates are applied, and a PRSI system which has further...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: To put it in context, Deputy Boyd Barrett spoke earlier about wealth redistribution. In 2011, when the income tax take was €11 billion, the social protection budget the then Minister, Deputy Burton, was handling was €21 billion. That was massive wealth distribution and we did not have the money. We had to borrow it. While Deputy Boyd Barrett is quick to talk about what the...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: That is fine. However, the unintended consequence would be to drive them out of the country and along with them would go other jobs. Then Deputy Boyd Barrett would care, when the income tax take would collapse.

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I did not say that.

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (21 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I did not say that. What I said was the national debt increased on average by €14 billion to €15 billion a year for ten years. It went from €40 billion to €210 billion, but the reason was to keep the country trading. Whether Deputy Pearse Doherty believes it or not, the first question I am asked on every occasion I meet financial service companies is the...

Topical Issue Debate: EU Bodies (22 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I thank the Deputy for his questions. I have a script, but I will not read it. Instead, I will discuss what we went through for a few minutes and then answer the Deputy's questions. Approximately two months ago, I started what was effectively a road trip. In that time, I have been to 16 European countries. This was done to put boots on the ground, meet finance Ministers and try to put...

Topical Issue Debate: EU Bodies (22 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I try.

Topical Issue Debate: EU Bodies (22 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I will not have a conversation about FDI. Perhaps we could have that conversation if the Deputy tabled another Topical Issue matter. I do not say this very often, but I am absolutely satisfied that there was nothing more we could have done. To be frank, we pulled out all the stops. Everybody who was asked to participate did so really well. Many people did not believe we were in the race...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I move amendment No. 6:In page 12, line 24, to delete “after” and substitute “before”. Amendments No. 6 and 7 amend section 8 which provides that where an employee of a health or dental insurer, or of a tied health insurance agent, receives a health or dental insurance policy in the course of his or her employment, any discount received on the policy shall be a...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I move amendment No. 7:In page 13, to delete lines 20 to 22 and substitute the following:“(4) Where an amount is treated as emoluments in a year of assessment under this section—(a) for the purposes of section 470, the amount (referred to in this subsection and subsection (5) as the ‘notional payment amount’) shall be treated as if it was an amount paid—(i)...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: The Deputy's amendment refers to the income tax exemption limits available to taxpayers aged over 65 years. Such individuals whose income is below the relevant exemption limit are not liable to income tax. The current annual exemption limits for people aged 65 and over are €18,000 for an individual and €36,000 for a married couple or a couple in a civil partnership. The...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Michael D'Arcy: I hear what the Deputy is saying and do not want to repeat what he just said. I would make the point that those who have the capacity to earn more than €36,000 have the benefit of the reduction in the USC and the extension of the point at which people pay the higher rate of income tax. We are aware of the matter and we are also aware that, as time passes, it is eaten into as it...