Results 441-460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Evasion: Tax Evasion (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there are two ways in which a taxpayer may have been in breach of the amnesty — first, in making a false declaration or, second, in not making a declaration. I am informed that the Revenue Commissioners do not have figures for the number of detected breaches of the amnesty. Given the confidentiality conditions built into the 1993 amnesty...

Written Answers — Tax Evasion: Tax Evasion (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following table provides information on court prosecutions initiated for tax evasion. Year No of Convictions Fines imposed Custodial sentence (suspended in brackets) Details of Custodial sentence 1997 1 â'¬635 Nil 1998 6 â'¬42,854 2 (2) (a) 6 months (suspended) 1999 1 â'¬19,046 Nil ...

Written Answers — Stability and Growth Pact: Stability and Growth Pact (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The European Commission presented a formal communication on 3 September 2004 outlining a range of proposals for strengthening economic governance in the European Union and clarifying the implementation of the Stability and Growth pact. Since then, the issues involved have been the subject of detailed and wide-ranging discussions. At the recent ECOFIN Council of 18 January 2005, ministers had...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: As a result of the budget, the standard rate bands for this and subsequent years are €29,400 for a single person, €38,400 for a married one earner couple and €58,800 for a married two earner couple, of which €38,400 is transferable. Lone and widowed persons have a standard rate band of €33,400. Income above these levels is subject to the higher rate of tax of 42%. The major portion...

Written Answers — Financial Services Sector: Financial Services Sector (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: While I have no statutory function in the matter, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that early in 1998, when information became available that indicated possible tax evasion on the part of NIB customers who had availed of an offshore investment product, an investigation was initiated. This investigation is nearing completion and has resulted in recoveries of €53.46 million in tax...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Fishermen who are registered for VAT are entitled to claim a refund for all VAT charged to them in respect of equipment used for their business. Fishermen who are not registered for VAT are entitled to claim back VAT charged to them as follows, under section 29, remission or repayment of tax on fishing vessels and equipment of the 1979 VAT regulations: VAT charged on the purchase,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government has no intention at present of introducing a tax incentive scheme to encourage the use of rail freight over road transport. It should be noted that if a tax incentive were given to freight operators to use rail transport instead of road transport, it would appear to constitute State aid to a particular business sector to the detriment of another competing business sector. As...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners say the available statistics on tax receipts do not enable the amount of tax collected from persons in receipt of short-term social welfare payments to be identified within the overall tax yield. However, income distribution information relating to the short "tax year" 2001, the most recent year available, indicate that some 39,451 persons with total earned income of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The standard rate band for a married one-earner couple is €38,400. For a married two-earner couple it is €58,800 of which €38,400 is transferable between spouses. The difference in treatment between married one-income and married two-income couples with regard to the standard rate band arises as part of the policy of band widening which was commenced in Budget 2000. The aim was to...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The definition of a bus for vehicle registration tax purposes is contained in section 130 of the Finance Act 1992. It is defined as: "a vehicle which is designed, constructed or adapted for the conveyance of persons and so as to provide seating accommodation in permanent fixtures for more than 11 passengers". The term "permanent fixtures" requires that all seating in the vehicle be secured by...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners inform me that for reasons of confidentiality they are not in a position to disclose information regarding the tax affairs of a third party. However, the matter in question is receiving attention, and the Revenue Commissioners will act to rectify any problems that may exist at the first opportunity. The organisation in question should contact its local tax district...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of recent reports about endowment mortgages. However, the investigation of these reports is a matter in the first instance for the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority, which is statutorily independent in the carrying out of its regulatory functions. In 2004 the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority wrote to all lenders and insurers seeking information on their...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The number of posts to be decentralised from my Department and bodies under the aegis of my Department was published on the central applications facility, which was launched on 12 May 2004, and are as follows: Organisation Location Number of posts Dept of Finance Tullamore 131 Kildare 34 Revenue Commissioners Athy 250 Kilrush 50 Listowel 50 Newcastle West 50 Kildare 379...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The results published following the closure of the priority period for applications for decentralisation, 7 September 2004, showed that 8,958 applications were received during the priority period, of which 4,813 were from people located in Dublin. Of these, 8,152 were from civil servants, 4,236 of whom are based in Dublin. Since then, more than 500 new applications have been received most...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Various factors affect the competitiveness of the economy. As Minister for Finance, my remit covers the macro-economic factors relating to competitiveness, principally prices and wages. The recent strengthening of the euro and its negative impact on our competitiveness further emphasises the need to keep domestic costs down. I welcome the downward trend in the rate of consumer price index...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Director General of the Central Statistics Office has sole responsibility for, and is independent in, deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the consumer price index. The index is designed to measure the change in the average level of the prices paid by consumers for goods and services. It measures in index form the monthly changes in the...

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the future Ireland will face constant and unavoidable competition from other economies, some of them low wage economies, for jobs and investment. To ensure that we are best placed to retain existing jobs and to attract new investment we must remain focused on restoring and enhancing national competitiveness. Developments in prices and wages are an important component of competitiveness....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am not in a position to give the total expected receipts for 2005 in respect of the entire motor industry. However, according to the Revenue Commissioners, the estimated yield in 2004, from the motor industry in terms of VAT, excise and vehicle registration tax is shown in the tables. VAT Yield 2004 € million Petrol 327.94 Auto Diesel 38.17 Motor Oil & LPG 2.38 Cars 480.00 Motor...

Written Answers — State Property: State Property (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: My Department has received an application from solicitors regarding this matter and is considering it.

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Since 1 August 2004, there have been three public appointments in my Department. In accordance with the provisions of section 11(1) of the Public Service Management Act 1997, the Government has appointed at my request one special adviser, Mr. Gerry Steadman. I have also appointed a personal secretary and personal assistant. These posts are held on a contract basis by Ms Elaine Hogan and Ms...