Results 4,701-4,720 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: As we are properly commemorating the development of our democracy and our first democratic day, it seems wrong that the Government is simultaneously forcing the resignation of the head of the Equality Authority, a person of integrity.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 5: In page 9, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: 2.—Marginal relief shall apply in respect of the income levy over €18,304 threshold and up to €25,000 in a manner to be prescribed by regulations made by the Minister for Finance under this section.". I am very surprised at the Ceann Comhairle's decision to rule out of order the first amendments....

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: I find the Minister's approach very disappointing. When governments around the world are producing stimulus programmes for their economies, the strategy in this budget is not only to increase taxes, but to increase them in a counterveiling way. Much of the increased taxation in the budget is disastrous for the real economy. Of the tax increases the Minister put forward in the budget, the...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: It is working.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: Yes.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 7: In page 9, between lines 19 and 20, to insert the following: 2.—For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in respect of relief from taxation in respect of remittance arrangements is intended to constitute relief in respect of the income levy.". With reference to the Minister's last comment, this amendment will test which of us is closer to Scandinavia and which to the...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: On amendment No. 7, will the Minister outline the position of the levy charge on persons who are on a remittance basis?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: No, but when the new remittance system goes into operation, I will seek to establish that what the Minister says actually applies because I believe strongly that the section the Minister has drafted is open to avoidance and mitigation in respect of the levy.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 15: In page 38, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following: "8.—Where medical expenses claimed as a tax credit consist of or include IVF treatment, the expenses shall to that extent be allowable at the higher rate.". I raised this matter with the Minister on Committee Stage. The Minister has proposed to flat rate medical expenses relief, which was allowed at 41%...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Report and Final Stages (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: I am disappointed by the Minister's statement. He will be aware that a couple in which only one person works is subject to a much more penal tax code because of the absence on individualisation. I believe I explained that for a number of people who undergo IVF treatment, the process can be highly intensive and one may find that only one spouse works. Consequently, the Minister's remarks do...

Written Answers — Pharmacy Services: Pharmacy Services (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: Question 128: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the High Court's decision (details supplied), her Department and the Health Service Executive can negotiate with professional representative bodies in order to advance proposed changes within the services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45491/08]

Written Answers — Hospital Staff: Hospital Staff (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: Question 129: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extra value for money she expects to be delivered to the health services as a result of the new consultants' contract; the mechanism in place to ensure that the work practices that underpin salary increases for consultants will be adhered to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45492/08]

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (16 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: Question 172: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the progress in securing of accommodation for gardaí based in the Laytown area of County Meath. [46025/08]

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: That was 11 weeks ago.

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: We were right.

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: Our analysis was correct.

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: You blew it.

Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: We have just agreed that the Appropriation Bill, which used to be the subject of a long debate in the House and an Adjournment debate at the end of a Dáil term, does not merit debate from the Government. We are now being asked to guillotine the Finance (No. 2) Bill for 7 p.m. this evening. Many of the amendments on Committee Stage of the Bill did not have an opportunity to be discussed....

Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: A total of 65 minutes has been set aside to discuss the recapitalisation of the banks. That is inadequate and there is no provision for questions and answers from a Minister. In the context of what we learned in the past 48 hours about the budgetary issues and cuts in the health services, and also about what the Taoiseach has said about an economic framework, it is very difficult to discuss...

Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Joan Burton: The National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000 requires the Government to make a contribution of 1% of gross national product to the National Pensions Reserve Fund every year. The Minister for Finance stated during the budget that he would call on Mr. Maurice O'Connell, the former secretary general of the Department, to review the situation.