Results 461-480 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: New car registrations of 30,554, as advised by the Revenue Commissioners, for the first 15 working days of 2005 are approximately 24% higher than for the same period in 2004. While these figures are encouraging from a tax revenue point of view, it is too early in the year to say what receipts will turn out to be for the year as a whole, based on just the first three weeks car registration data.

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

Brian Cowen: The Department of Transport receives the State's share of income from the Westlink Toll Bridge as an appropriation-in-aid. The estimated amount for 2005 will be published in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2005 which will be published shortly. In 2004 the Department of Transport received €8.044 million under this heading and total gross spending by that Department in 2004 was €1.96 billion.

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes. : Urban Renewal Schemes. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: My Department is not responsible for spending by other Departments on a geographical or other basis. Plans for the funding of projects, including in Kildare, are a matter for each Department having regard to its particular area of responsibility and the allocation made to it by the Dáil. The amount allocated to my Department's Vote, Vote 6, in the 2005 Abridged Estimates Volume is €102.544...

Written Answers — Economic and Monetary Union. : Economic and Monetary Union. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Economic and Finance Ministers meet monthly at the ECOFIN Council meeting where taxation and economic policy matters are discussed. In advance of those meetings, the Euro area Ministers meet informally at Eurogroup to discuss matters of particular relevance to their economies in the context of Economic and Monetary Union. Useful discussions have been held on direct and indirect taxation...

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

Brian Cowen: Ireland will face significant 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 Government policies remain focused on restoring and enhancing national competitiveness. The Government is committed to ensuring that prices and wages evolve in a manner that maintains...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together. The Special Savings Incentive Accounts scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007 at the end of the five year period. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. I presume the Deputy's reference to "payout" is to the total...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Generally speaking, the tax system treats cohabiting couples as separate and unconnected individuals. Each partner is a separate entity for tax purposes, and credits, bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other. The working group examining the treatment of married, cohabiting and one-parent families under the tax and social welfare codes, which reported in August...

Written Answers — Property Valuations: Property Valuations (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: There is already provision under section 67 of the Valuation Act 2001, with regard to legislation predating the 2001 Act where rateable valuations are required, for the commissioner to cause a valuation to be made and a certificate to issue so as to satisfy the provisions of this precedent legislation. Section 67 relates to properties that fall within Schedule 4 — domestic properties....

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The intended purpose of the Dormant Financial Assets Bill was to extend the dormant accounts treatment of assets, other than life assurance and bank accounts, which have been dealt with in recent legislation. However, a secondary legislation approach can be adopted for some items and those requiring primary legislation can now be accommodated in the Financial Services (Consolidation) Bill....

Written Answers — Vehicle Imports: Vehicle Imports (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The data available, as supplied by the Revenue Commissioners, is set out in the table below. This data is collected with reference to vehicle registration tax, VRT, classifications and does not distinguish between all types of vehicles as both goods vehicles and tractors are category C vehicles. Accurate data with regard to the country of origin of imported used vehicles is not available.

Written Answers — Remit of the Ombudsman: Remit of the Ombudsman (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Having regard to the current orientation of the Ombudsman's remit to governmental and public sector bodies and my intention to publish legislation which will develop the institution further along existing lines, I do not think it appropriate to extend its remit to the two non-governmental bodies the Deputy has mentioned.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Department of Agriculture and Food that in Ireland the entire sugar quota is allocated to Irish Sugar Limited, the only sugar manufacturer in this country. The company in turn places contracts with farmers to grow sugar beet sufficient to manufacture the sugar quota. There is no specific quota for sugar beet. Therefore, any taxation issues regarding the sale of such quota...

Written Answers — Departmental Submissions: Departmental Submissions (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I can confirm that this particular submission was received in my Department and is receiving due consideration. In this regard, it would be inappropriate of me at this stage to outline any future steps I may or may not take with regard to the submission.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey has primary responsibility for matters relating to An Post. The An Post superannuation scheme is a matter for An Post, in the first instance. The approval of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the agreement of the Minister for Finance are required for any changes to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: For the purpose of gift and inheritance tax, the relationship between the person who provided the gift or inheritance, that is, the disponer, and the person who received the gift or inheritance, that is, the beneficiary, determines the maximum tax-free threshold, known as the "group threshold". There are three group thresholds based on the relationship of the beneficiary to the disponer and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The question of the provision of parking spaces for disabled drivers at hospitals is matter for the Minister for Health and Children. With regard to claims for tax relief against the cost of parking at hospitals, there is currently no provision in tax law which would allow relief from income tax in respect of parking expenses incurred by persons with or without a disability. There are no...

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 17, the Water Services Bill 2003 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 1, Dormant Accounts (Amendment) Bill 2004 [Seanad] — Second Stage.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Obviously these are matters that can be referred to the Taoiseach who speaks on behalf of the Government on them. It is not for me to make further comment except to say that from our point of view it is a matter for the two Governments to discharge their responsibilities in ensuring that the Agreement is implemented in full.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have been assured it will be published this session.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is always a matter for the Whips to decide at any time how the business of the House is ordered.