Results 4,781-4,800 of 7,082 for speaker:John Paul Phelan

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Nevin Economic Research Institute (6 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: It has the lowest rate of participation at third level and those who do go tend to go to Dublin and Cork-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Nevin Economic Research Institute (6 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: -----and they just do not come home. Their higher incomes then are not reflected in the figures for the region. While that is what I found, I will have that discussion on another day. Briefly and finally, Dr. McDonnell mentioned expanding the tax base and my ears pricked up at the term, "land tax". I presume he meant development land as opposed to farmland.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Nevin Economic Research Institute (6 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: Dr. McDonnell was having a theoretical discussion.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Nevin Economic Research Institute (6 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: On behalf of everybody, I thank Dr. McDonnell and apologise for the delay in starting. As this is our first day back at school, people have other business as well but I thank Dr. McDonnell for his attendance.

Government Appeal of European Commission Decision on State Aid to Apple: Motion (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: I thank the Whip's office for allowing me a few minutes to speak on this issue. I agree with Deputy Troy about the importance of confidence. It is unfortunate from his point of view that the issues being referred to in terms of the guidelines issued by the Revenue Commissioners concern a timeframe during which Fianna Fáil was in office. Indeed, it is also interesting that Apple's...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: I welcome our witnesses from the ESRI, Professor Alan Barrett, director, and Professor Kieran McQuinn, research professor and head of economic analysis. They will be dealing with Ireland's economic and fiscal position. I wish to bring to the attention of the witnesses that they are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. However, if they are...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: The fair deal process is being reviewed at the moment.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: We are not going to get an answer. In fairness, there is probably no answer.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: We might take those few questions and come back to the Deputy.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: As soon as possible.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: I have a couple of brief questions. Yesterday, we had a number of witnesses, one of whom was Dr. McDonnell from the Nevin Economic Research Institute. Would Professor Barrett concur with his point, which was news to me, that the Irish tax and welfare system was, according to an OECD comparison, "highly redistributive" and one of the most progressive systems that exist?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: On regional development, Professor Barrett stated that various policies to implement regional economic development were almost akin to holding back the tide economically and that it is a difficult task. We had this discussion yesterday with Dr. McDonnell. How does one explain the differences that exist across the country? The issue I come up against quite often is that when people talk...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: That bears out what I might think myself. Professor Barrett made a comment earlier about how broadband impacts best where the people have higher qualifications. It is something of a chicken-and-egg argument in the sense that there is poor broadband infrastructure in parts of rural areas, in particular, not to make it too parochial, in parts of the south east. If infrastructure is...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: That is fair enough. My final point is in regard to the USC. I do not wish to argue with Professor Barrett's view in terms of the overall taxation system. Having spent far too long of my life in the banking inquiry discussing the hollowing out of the tax base, I can see the argument that is being made. I studied economics for years and I never found it to be, as it is often referred to,...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: Not long ago in Glenties the Minister for Social Protection floated the notion of indexing welfare payments. He was harassed and harangued from right and left. Perhaps it goes back to what Deputy Ryan said about new taxation being introduced and how no one wants it. Perhaps it is the same for indexing.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Economic and Fiscal Position: Economic and Social Research Institute (7 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: That would never be the case. I understand. Thank you very much. It has been a far longer session than planned. The danger of having only one group of witnesses is that politicians expand the time of their questioning to fill the available space. Thank you sincerely for coming in. It would be great if we could get the extra information requested at the earliest possible opportunity....

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Statement: Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (13 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: Apologies have been received from Deputy Calleary who cannot be in attendance. I welcome members and staff of the Fiscal Advisory Council, Professor John McHale, Mr. Seamus Coffey, Mr. Michael Tutty and Dr. Thomas Conefrey. The IFAC is here today to discuss its pre-budget statement, which was published last week. Before we begin, I remind members and witnesses to turn off their mobile...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Statement: Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (13 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: Thank you Professor McHale. Deputy Chambers is first with questions.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Statement: Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (13 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: Thank you, Deputy. I call Deputy David Cullinane.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Statement: Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (13 Sep 2016)

John Paul Phelan: They will be before the committee next week.