Results 5,761-5,780 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The following is the information requested by the Deputy in relation to my Department, and to the Bodies under the aegis of my Department:

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Finance Bill 2007 amendment referred to by the Deputy ensured that the supply of fruit juices and vegetable juices continues to be taxable at the standard VAT rate of 21%. Indeed, all fruit juices, soft drinks and bottled water have been subject to the standard rated since 1992. This amendment was necessary following a recent ruling by the Appeal Commissioner that a certain...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the group as specifically named by the Deputy never held charitable tax exemption. However, a body with an almost identical name, which it is assumed is the intended subject of the Deputy's question, applied for charitable tax exemption in 1993 and 2001. On the first occasion, the application was refused on the basis that the body concerned had...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I wish to advise the Deputy that there are no grants or financial incentives available for adapting diesel cars in order that they can use biofuels. In relation to VAT, the position is that the VAT regime and indeed the rating of all goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. While we can retain the zero rating provisions which were...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a PAYE Balancing Statement Form P21 issued to the taxpayer on 5 March 2007.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are eight EU Directives awaiting either transposition into Irish law, or formal notification of completion of transposition to the European Commission, by my Department at the current time. Directive 2005/60/EC is intended to strengthen legal measures to prevent the use of the financial system for money laundering and terrorist financing. Deadline for transposition is December 2007....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that an application for refund of Relevant Contracts Tax was received from the accountant acting on behalf of the taxpayer on 22 January 2007. The accountant instructed Revenue to retain the said amount pending further instructions. Revenue awaits further instructions from the accountant regarding the treatment of the refund.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position is that bodies supplying educational services and non-profit organisations are exempt from VAT under the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. This means they do not charge VAT on the services they provide and cannot recover VAT incurred on goods and services that they purchase. Essentially only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are able to recover VAT.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Capital Gains Tax (CGT) Acts do not contain provisions which allow for stocks and shares held in a trust, in the circumstances outlined, to be sold free of CGT. The transfer of the stocks and shares into a trust is treated, for CGT purposes, as a disposal by the owner at market value. The resultant gain or loss is computed by reference to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, under Section 114 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, employees have a statutory entitlement to claim a tax deduction in respect of expenses wholly, exclusively and necessarily incurred in the performance of the duties of their employment. This, therefore, is the statutory basis for granting tax relief in respect of expenses to employees. I am...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: 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. Under the VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. As the majority of defibrillators were not subject to the zero rate...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: If tax concessions were introduced for persons wishing to trade down, it would have the effect of increasing the supply of larger (and generally more expensive) houses. This would be of benefit to people at the top end of the market. However, the demand for property at the lower end of the market would increase as the older person trading down sought a smaller house and this would adversely...

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The role of the Cross-Departmental Team, which assists the Cabinet Committee on Housing, Infrastructure and PPPs, and which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, is to identify and assist in advancing and resolving issues related to infrastructural planning and delivery, ensuring they are adequately prepared for consideration by the Cabinet Committee and, where necessary, the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware from previous replies to the similar questions that 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. Under the VAT Directive Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services, which have been in place since 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to other...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Lifetime Mortgages are regulated under the Consumer Credit Act 1995. In addition, the Financial Regulator has included specific provisions in the Consumer Protection Code relating to Lifetime Mortgages. The Code provides that consumers are fully advised of the consequences of releasing equity from their home and that the financial service provider obtains sufficient information from the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The 1997 Finance Act made provisions for a scheme of tax relief for areas adjacent to regional airports along the same lines as the relief then available under the Enterprise Areas Scheme. The scheme provided for accelerated capital allowances and double rent relief for lessees of qualified buildings. The position is that the scheme as originally announced was submitted to the European...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The areas to be included in the proposed Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme are outlined in Schedule 8B of Section 29 of the 2007 Finance Bill and include all of the District Electoral Divisions that are wholly or partly within a 12 kilometre band on either side of the mid section of the Shannon. This is a pilot scheme, the operation of which will be carefully monitored and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position is that charities and non-profit groups engaged in non-commercial activity are exempt from VAT under the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. This means they do not charge VAT on the services they provide and cannot recover VAT incurred on goods and services that they purchase. Essentially only VAT registered businesses which charge VAT are able to recover...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (20 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is strong co-ordination of measures to deter money laundering in the financial system at EU level. A Third Money Laundering Directive was adopted in 2005 and is due to come into effect shortly and requires to be transposed into domestic legislation in each Member State by December 2007. The Third Money Laundering Directive will replace and update the 1991 and 2001 Money Laundering...