Results 5,181-5,200 of 34,779 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I wish to make a few comments regarding the accountancy bodies. I note their submission and have to hand a summary recommending that no new taxes or tax increases should be introduced for the foreseeable future and they make the point that this is probably an important statement in respect of the budget. However, when considering the summary of the bodies' submission, at first glance I can...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Yes. It was mentioned that CCAB-I needs some changes to the appeals process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Is there a big delay there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank Mr. Keegan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: On the question of the legal professional privilege which Mr. Keegan mentioned, if accountants give advice and are aware of a client’s tax-avoidance scheme, they must inform the Revenue. The same happens if it is provided by a member of the legal profession.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: In some of the big firms, which would have both legal and accountancy staff, could the accountants devise a scheme, give it to a solicitor and let the solicitor talk to the client to ensure the information is privileged and they do not have to report it? I am concerned about how the reply came back to me. Could Mr. Keegan deal with the avoidance of the accountants being in the loop because...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Does Mr. Keegan understand the complication I have just raised? In a big firm, the accountant could be involved in the scheme that might require mandatory disclosure of information, but if the information has been committed to the client by a member of the legal profession in the same firm as opposed to an accountant, there is legal privilege.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: It is the same old story as when the tobacco industry researched whether nicotine is addictive. It was always conducted by the legal profession and all the information they gathered was subject to legal privilege. I would be concerned. Is there a concern or am I overreaching it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: The witnesses would be keeping quiet about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank Mr. Dillon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank our guests for coming before us and for making very professional and concise presentations. When time is limited, it is sometimes easier to get into discussing the detail of a particular matter rather than rambling on. That is probably a lesson for us, as politicians. My first question is directed to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Reference was made to maintaining primary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: As Dr. Healy did not comment on the targeted redundancy programme, I take it that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has no comment to make on the Government's plans to reduce public sector numbers. That was the main question I put to its representatives.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Is the Irish Congress of Trade Unions satisfied with the numbers otherwise? We all agree there should be no compulsory redundancy, and I do not believe anyone in these Houses would suggest that. Is the Irish Congress of Trade Unions happy with the targeted redundancy programme as announced?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank the witnesses for their attendance and concise, professional presentations. We received their full documentation in advance. Special needs assistance in schools is becoming more difficult, and for children with autism, with pressures on the education budget. The witnesses might comment on that. I am beginning with the younger people. Getting people with disabilities who are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Yes. Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I would like to make a final comment. We have had 36 groups in here over the last two days, which is a phenomenal workload. I would like to thank the representatives of all the organisations that came before the committee. They were very concise and to the point. I would also like to thank the secretariat staff who produced a summary of each of the 36 submissions. That was outstanding...

Leaders' Questions (18 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Is that a "yes" or "no"? Will the Taoiseach debate it?

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Budget 2014 Issues (18 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: 29. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his priorities for the coming year; if he is satisfied with the current negotiations for a budget allocation for his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38464/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: 186. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to refund the pension levy deducted from pension funds in view of the new requirements which show many of them to be in an actual deficit situation; the way this levy may continue to be deducted from these funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37441/13]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Student Grant Scheme Eligibility (18 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: 311. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students who are studying for a post graduate course are entitled to the special rate top up for non adjacent students where the income is below €22,000 per annum but where the student being a mature student is not in receipt of any payment from the Department of Social Protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37538/13]