Results 5,461-5,480 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by the average annual change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was 4.0 per cent for the year 2006 as a whole. A large proportion of the rise in the annual inflation rate in 2006 was due to external factors, primarily rises in interest rates by the ECB. Maintaining a moderate rate of inflation remains a key priority of economic policy because of its importance in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Electric bikes are subject to VAT at the standard rate of 21%, with only very minimal VRT charges applying usually less than €20. In relation to the rate of VAT applicable to bicycles (electric or otherwise), the position is that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Bicycles are subject to the standard VAT...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Senators for their contributions thus far to this debate on the national development plan. I am sorry if Senator Quinn believes this was simply a connection exercise of spending programmes to be put together willy-nilly. In fact, a long consultation process has been ongoing for the past 12 months, not only with the social partners but with the regional authorities, local...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——and used the same rhetoric they are using in this House and elsewhere to talk about building some of these houses and facilitating local authorities to build houses on the basis that the resources are now available, that would be a far more positive contribution towards dealing with housing problems of many people than is the case currently. I had to listen in the other House to people...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are problems. Can the Senator show me a country that does not have problems?

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Our problems have arisen from the success of our economic model.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: In the past we had problems because of failure and mediocrity and policies that did not work. We have full employment when other generations did not. Is that a sufficient vision? Young people can get a job in Ireland, commensurate to their skills and abilities. Is that a worthwhile vision? Through the social inclusion programme, totalling €50 billion, we will mainstream people with...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I was simply responding to the debate. I understood that was the point of my coming here.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Members complain when Ministers come to the House and do not answer their questions. When I try to do so, however, I am told to shut up. Members cannot hack it.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Now the Members want me to sit down.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I apologise if I have exceeded the time allocated. I will conclude by saying that this plan addresses Ireland's current development needs directly. It sets out a roadmap for the next phase of the country's transformation and will deliver a better quality of life for all. Its implementation will help to secure our prosperity and make Ireland a better country, with stronger communities...

Written Answers — Airport Customs Controls: Airport Customs Controls (8 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, following a seizure of heroin in Belgium and the related arrest of three Irish nationals last year, the Revenue Commissioners initiated a review of Customs Controls at Licensed Aerodromes. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their review has now been completed. The review examined the controls, the conditions of approval and the risks, from a Customs point...

Written Answers — Airport Customs Controls: Airport Customs Controls (8 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, following a seizure of heroin in Belgium and the related arrest of three Irish nationals last year, the Revenue Commissioners initiated a review of Customs Controls at Licensed Aerodromes. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their review has now been completed. The review examined the controls, the conditions of approval and the risks, from a Customs point...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, thirty State Agencies are due to relocate under the Government's Decentralisation Programme. Some 2,340 posts are involved, or just over 22% of the programme. The Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) did not set specific timeframes for the State Agencies as they believed that it was the responsibility of the board and senior management of each agency to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I take it that the question relates to the stamp duty exemption that is available to Young Trained Farmers holding a relevant qualification. The farm management technician certificate is not a relevant qualification for the purpose of the stamp duty exemption. However, where Teagasc certifies that another qualification corresponds to a relevant qualification, that other qualification will be...

National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Heresy.

National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputies for their welcome for the legislation and their contribution to the debate. As I said in my opening speech, this is amending legislation with a clear focus. Its purpose is to extend the functions of the National Development Finance Agency in order to allow it to undertake the procurement and delivery stage of public private partnership projects and to provide for connected...

National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Second Stage (Resumed) (13 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is much better to deal with the design issues up front before the private sector develops the project and, as Deputy Fleming said, takes on the responsibility of the operational costs over the lifetime of the project. Risk transfer is an important criterion in deciding whether a project is appropriate for a PPP so that we do not take all the risk up front. If there are possibilities...

National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006 [Seanad]: Referral to Select Committee (13 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, in accordance with Standing Order 120(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (13 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of new off licences granted in Dublin for the Licensing year 2005 and 2006 are as follows: 2005 (1 Oct. 2004-30 Sept. 2005) was 71. 2006 (1 Oct. 2005-30 Sept. 2006) was 62.