Results 5,381-5,400 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: No, I did not.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: We had a good debate on this issue on Committee Stage when I also tabled an amendment on this issue. While I accept the need to introduce a threshold, the current threshold is high. A more fundamental point about the incentive scheme is, because the Minister is doing it through the income tax system, somebody must have an income tax liability in the first place against which to offset this...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013 - Report Stage (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: But they will need a tax liability.

Leaders' Questions (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Was what happened in Enniskillen the same?

Order of Business (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: The betting (amendment) Bill was first published in July 2012. It was republished this summer. Clearly, there is a significant delay in bringing it forward. The Bill deals with applying taxes to online betting, an issue which is obviously posing logistical difficulties, but it is preventing the State from recouping significant moneys. When will the Bill be brought forward?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett raised an important issue. In the Bill, as published, the period specified was 15 months. I tabled an amendment suggesting a period of 12 months and this was accepted by the Minister. This is moving in the right direction. The logic seems to be to align the relevant period with the qualifying period for those on jobseeker’s benefit who are accessing...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: The income of no other group of people has been affected to such a proportion by this budget as will be the income of this group of single parents by section 7. Many single parents, primarily single fathers, will be hit for €2,500 a year, between the loss of the credit and the reduction of the lower rate band. This will apply to people even on modest incomes. People on the average...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: On the amendment that the Minister, Deputy Noonan, brought forward, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, elaborated on how it will work in practice where one parent can relinquish the credit to the other parent and he confirmed that the consent will be required of the primary claimant. It is important to acknowledge that many relationships end fairly badly and, unfortunately, such...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: These debating points have been well rehearsed. We had a lengthy debate on Committee Stage. We are beginning to see the full picture of the health insurance market. Deputy Denis Naughten referred to the increase in premium costs announced by Aviva. The average increase is 5.2%, but the cost of some policies will increase by 11%. We should remember these increases are altogether separate...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Doherty's amendment is quite modest. The issue is that there is no agreed methodology for measuring the impact of a budget. For the past number of years we have cited the ESRI and its analysis of the budget and the Minister has responded by stating that the ESRI has not taken X, Y or Z into account. We have no agreed basis for measuring the impact of a budget on different groups of...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Is there time to move this amendment?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (4 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 31:In page 69, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:“48. Section 119 of the Finance Act 2001(as amended by section 99 of the Finance Act 2010) is amended by inserting the following new subsection (5) into section 119 (penalties for certain excise offences):“(5) where the offence referred to in subsections (1) and (2) relates to tobacco, a person...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: This amendment is intended to deal with the issue of cigarette smuggling and the illegal sale of cigarettes. In a recent reply to a parliamentary question the Minister, Deputy Noonan, confirmed that in 2012 there were 57 convictions for cigarette smuggling resulting in 26 custodial sentences, some suspended, and fines amounting to €93,550. The total amount in fines for 57 convictions...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: The reply of the Minister of State sets out what the courts can do, but the reality is that they are not doing it. I have outlined some of the figures. Last year there were 57 convictions for smuggling and fines of €93,550. That amounts to a typical fine of less than €2,000 on average. For illegal sales, there were 75 convictions and total fines of €153,050, which...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: The House deserves a proper explanation as to why there has been such a significant delay in the introduction of the betting legislation. I understand the betting legislation was first published in July 2012 but it was recently withdrawn. Earlier this year, in July, the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013 was published. Clearly, issues arise regarding the imposition of a levy . I have no doubt...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: There has been a complete betrayal on this issue. When the levy was first introduced in 2011, a firm commitment was given that it would end in 2014. That commitment has been repeated a number of times since then. The levy has now been increased in 2014 and retained, albeit at a lower level, in 2015. My concern is that the Government is now attaching the levy to the issue of dealing with...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: Provision in that regard was made two years ago.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: That was also provided for in legislation.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Property Taxation Administration (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: 65. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will arrange for the Revenue Commissioners records to be amended in relation local property tax liability for 2013 in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [52359/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Relief Eligibility (5 Dec 2013)

Michael McGrath: 73. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners has changed the basis on which it pays mortgage interest relief from one paid on interest payable by the customer to one based on interest paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52420/13]