Results 4,941-4,960 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 94, 119 and 132 together. I welcome the publication by the Central Bank of its Financial Stability Report 2006 which reflects the Bank's mandate to contribute to the stability of the financial system in Ireland. I note the Report's main conclusion that Ireland's financial system continues to be in a good state of health. The Bank's central expectation, based...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: In Budget 2006, following a major review of existing tax reliefs involving both internal reviews and the employment of outside consultants I announced the termination, subject to certain transitional provisions, of the following reliefs; the urban renewal, town renewal and rural renewal schemes, and the special reliefs for hotels, holiday cottages, student accommodation, multi-storey car...

Written Answers — Export Performance: Export Performance (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Provisional data for the first half of 2006 show that the volume of exports of goods and services increased by almost 6% on an annual basis in that period. This compares with an annual increase of 3.9% for 2005 as a whole. In the medium term, the outlook for Irish export performance remains broadly positive. Our existing strong export base, particularly in pharmaceuticals, food, medical...

Written Answers — Revenue Commissioners: Revenue Commissioners (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the apparent drop in audit numbers referred to by the Deputy in fact arose from a re-categorisation of audits in 2005 and that when the re-categorisation is taken into account, the number of audits conducted under the Revenue Audit Code of Practice actually increased marginally in 2005 compared with 2004. Audit Categories were re-defined during...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax on a capital gain arising on the disposal of assets. A 20% rate of CGT applies on the gains arising on the disposal of assets. In Budget 2003, it was announced that no rollover relief would be allowed for any purpose on gains arising from disposals on or after 4 December 2002. Rollover relief applied when CGT rates were much higher. In effect, it was a...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I welcome the publication of the Financial Regulator's Strategic Plan for the next three years, 2007-2009. The Strategic Plan is a detailed and comprehensive statement of the Financial Regulator's objectives. It is set within an explicit performance framework identifying clearly the Financial Regulator's High Level Goals, together with specific actions and indicators of progress. The...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the most up-to-date estimates of the information requested by the Deputy are as follows: Numbers of income earners on income tax record Year Exempt Paying at 20% or less Paying at greater than 20% Total 2006 776,100 937,700 446,700 2,160,500 35.9% 43.4% 20.7% These figures allow for the fact that many income earners pay no tax at all; many...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, I do not comment on possible tax changes ahead of the budget.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As with all tax reliefs, the scheme of tax relief for donations is constantly kept under review and any proposals submitted are examined carefully by my Department. On the subject of VAT compensation, the position is that charities and non-profit groups engaged in non-commercial activity are exempt from VAT under the EU Sixth VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. This means...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 126, 160 and 163 together. The National Development Plan 2007-2013, to be published in January next, will be a high level strategic document which will provide the framework for investment over the next seven years. The Plan will in particular seek to address the investment necessary to maintain national competitiveness and promote regional development...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Public Appointments Service estimates that approximately 540 applications have been withdrawn from the Central Applications Facility (CAF) to date. Because of the nature of the programme and the timescales involved, individual circumstances are open to change and therefore application status can fluctuate as the programme is rolled out. The picture will become clearer over the coming...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, in Budget 2006 I approved a new relief scheme which provides for the remission or repayment of 50% VRT payable or paid on the registration of certain new flexible fuel vehicles that derive vehicle propulsion by means of an engine manufactured in such manner that enables motive power to be sourced from a combination of bioethanol and petrol (E85). The purpose of this...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have already indicated on a number of occasions that I have no plans to introduce a scheme along the lines proposed. In line with normal practice, stamp duty revenues are applied by the Exchequer for the common good, as determined by the Oireachtas. Earmarking particular taxes reduces the discretion of Government and the Oireachtas in determining the priority areas in which public money...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent year for which complete information on the cost to the Exchequer of the tax credit in relation to research and development is the accounting year ended 2004. This is the year in which the tax credit was first introduced. Some 73 claims were made for a total credit of €70.5 million against the corporation tax liability of the...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: My Department has been advised by the Financial Regulator that the new common framework for testing the fitness and probity of directors and senior managers of financial services firms will apply from 1 January 2007. Previously, the Financial Regulator assessed the fitness and probity of directors and managers against broadly similar standards but with different sectoral processes. Existing...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the breakdown of Stamp duty receipts, on a Revenue Net Receipts basis, in the nine months to end-September 2006 is as follows: €m % of Total Land & Property 2,131 81.03 Of which Residential Property 947 6.0 Stocks & Shares 295 11.2 Companies Capital Duty 6 0.2 Cheques, Bills of Exchange etc 116 4.4 Insurance & Miscellaneous 82 3.1...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in my reply to question no. 33171/06 on 18 October last, the Government's position on pension reform is reflected in the statement issued in August by my colleague the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when the Report of the Pensions Board on Supplementary Pensions — "Special Savings for Retirement" — was published. This statement recognised the many challenges in...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: A technical working group chaired by the Commission is continuing its work on the feasibility of introducing a common consolidated tax base in the EU. Ireland, like all other member States, is participating in that work without prejudice to our national position of opposition to the introduction of any common rules. Commissioner Kovacs has made it clear on a number of occasions that while the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy in relation to the distribution of income earners is set out in the following table: Numbers of income earners on income tax record Year Exempt Paying at 20% or less Paying at greater than 20% Total 2005 732,400 895,600* 458,100 2,086,100 35.1% 42.9% 22.0% 2006 776,100 937,700** 446,700 2,160,500 ...

Written Answers — National Debt: National Debt (22 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The figures for the National Debt and debt service payments on the National Debt are taken from the Annual Reports of the National Treasury Management Agency. In 1997, the National Debt was equivalent to 65.4% of GNP and the cost of servicing the debt in that year was equivalent to 46.3% of income tax revenues. The Deputy will of course be aware that the burden of debt for the Irish...