Results 5,581-5,600 of 6,295 for speaker:Michael D'Arcy

Seanad: Finance (African Development (Bank and Fund) and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Dec 2018)

Michael D'Arcy: The concerns which are reflected in the amendment proposed by the Senator are relevant in the context of our membership and engagement with the bank and fund. Human rights and climate action issues are fundamental drivers of our international development policy which underpins, informs and shapes our engagement with all international institutions. However, as a general principle, it is not...

Seanad: Finance (African Development (Bank and Fund) and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Dec 2018)

Michael D'Arcy: Central to our engagement with the banking fund is the importance Ireland places on ensuring that its operations are held to account against robust standards in terms of human rights, social, environmental, gender and governance matters. In that regard I note that the bank has in place a strong operational framework and standards, with the bank's integrated safeguard systems being the...

Seanad: Finance (African Development (Bank and Fund) and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Dec 2018)

Michael D'Arcy: That report is laid before the Houses.

Seanad: Finance (African Development (Bank and Fund) and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Dec 2018)

Michael D'Arcy: Yes.

Seanad: Finance (African Development (Bank and Fund) and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2018: Committee and Remaining Stages (20 Dec 2018)

Michael D'Arcy: I thank everybody for their helpfulness, and not just with this Bill. I have brought seven pieces of legislation through Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, so I thank everybody for their frank comments, support and strong contributions on those Bills. I also wish Members and the staff attached to the Houses a very happy Christmas. We will see them back here next year for more...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: VAT Rate Increases (29 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The standard rate of VAT applies to food supplements. However, there is a Revenue concession which allows a zero rate to be applied to certain types of food supplements such as vitamins, minerals and fish oils. The practice of zero rating vitamins, minerals and fish oil food supplements has been applied since the introduction of VAT in November 1972 when the marketplace for food supplements...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: VAT Rate Increases (29 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I want to clarify that the Minister for Finance stated on Committee Stage, and Deputy Barrett was present, that he would not interfere with the Revenue Commissioners. They are independent of the Department of Finance, and the Deputy knows that well. The Revenue has decided to bring clarity to the matter. What the Minister committed to doing, which was more than fair and reasonable, was to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: VAT Rate Increases (29 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The Deputy should have called a vote on it, if he wanted to, but I do not believe he did at that stage. I will not comment on an individual case on the floor of the Dáil as I do not believe it is appropriate. However, from my perspective and the perspective of the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, the food and supplements sector will get a fair hearing from the Department of Finance. When the...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: VAT Rate Increases (29 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The Revenue Commissioners are independent of this Chamber and of the Department of Finance, as the Deputy knows well.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: There is no place more comfortable than where the three Sinn Féin Deputies are sitting. Sinn Féin is sitting on the fence. It is a national past-time for Sinn Féin. It does not take its seats in Westminster and it abdicates-----

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Sinn Féin had 22 or 23 minutes, and I never interrupted Deputy Buckley once. He is not able to take the criticism back. It has been two years with no government in Northern Ireland.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: We are dealing with the finances of the State in a careful, prudent and coherent way. I want to stop the lie, gentlemen, please, and I use the word "lie" because what they said about this being only about bailing out the banks is a lie. I do not think I am being unfair when I say that is more or less all Deputies Buckley and Martin Kenny said, nothing else.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: That is fine.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: I would like to put the following on the record of the House, please, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: There has been speculation that the fund could be used only for a future bank bailout. To clarify the fund and the drawdown, the latter can only be to the Exchequer. Direct payment to any other body or organisation is neither contemplated nor permitted. Drawdown is also subject to Dáil approval, and any onward payment from the Exchequer will be subject to the normal public financial...

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Okay. That is fine.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: They are just completely ignoring what I have just said. That is fine, and they are entitled to their opinion, but again, they are in the comfort zone of hurling sideways only on the ditch.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Sinn Féin does not participate in Westminster or in Northern Ireland and it chooses not to participate in government here.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: Hurlers on the ditch is all they are.

National Surplus (Reserve Fund for Exceptional Contingencies) Bill 2018: Second Stage (Resumed) (30 Jan 2019)

Michael D'Arcy: The Bill legislates for what has been termed the "rainy day fund", a commitment in A Programme for a Partnership Government and an important element of the Government's strategy to put our national finances on a sound footing while building resilience to external shocks, and there can be external shocks for which none of us is prepared. That is what the Bill is for. A number of Deputies...