Results 6,341-6,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have no problem accepting Deputy Quinn's proposed amendment to the Order of Business.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Given the timing of the election in 1997 and 2002, it was not possible to constitute committees before the Dáil rose for the summer recess on those occasions either. I am not in a position to take amendments to the Order of Business in respect of our return.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I expect the Dublin transport authority Bill to be brought to Government, and some decisions to be taken on it, before we return for the next session.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is expected that that Bill will be published in 2007.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Heads of a Bill have been approved and it is expected later in this Dáil, perhaps in the new year.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: It has not been promised in the House but the Government will look at all these matters in the context of trying to ensure we do everything possible to make our roads safer and to ensure people discharge their responsibilities adequately.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Competition Authority is an independent body and I am not aware of any legislation promised in this area. It is true, however, that the question of preventing abuse of agency workers was raised at the meeting of the social partners. That will be dealt with under an agency Bill which will be considered in due course.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Minister that there are no plans to change the Competition Act 2002. Discussions took place in respect of the other issue, and are ongoing among the Minister, the Department and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. On the question of the list of legislation, obviously we hope it will be an accurate reflection of what will come on stream in our coming term. It will be...

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Legislation relating to the national transmission company will probably be brought forward during the course of next year. I do not accept for a moment that what the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Ryan, said on a debate on energy policy, including the options for nuclear energy, is in any way at variance with the commitments in the programme for Government....

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: As I was saying before I was interrupted——

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Minister made it clear that if there was a debate on nuclear energy, it would quickly become evident why he felt it should not be part of our energy portfolio. However, he was not dismissive of anybody who wished to raise the matter in a debate. He was quite prepared to debate the issues with them.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: That is an example of openness and transparency which the Deputy's party might internalise.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible to say at this stage when or if that legislation will be brought forward, in view of the fact it is a North-South issue and there is also a referendum to be held on children's rights next year.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Exchequer returns for the first six months are quite strong and in line with expectations.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Customs duties, VAT and excise duty where applicable are payable on goods purchased over the Internet and imported into Ireland from outside of the EU. Consignments of a negligible value, i.e. not exceeding a value of €22, do not attract import charges. However, this relief does not apply to tobacco products, alcoholic products, perfumes or toilet waters. Further relief is available for...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Decentralisation Programme is being implemented on a voluntary basis. There are no plans to introduce a redundancy or financial severance package and, as on previous occasions, the payment of removal or relocation expenses will not arise.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I assume that what the Deputy has in mind are circumstances where one parent in a married couple gives up work to care for a child with a severe or on going medical condition. This cannot be seen from a tax point of view in isolation. While a couple in such circumstances may lose entitlement to the employee credit of €1,760 per annum (where the spouse who has given up work was in PAYE...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994. The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, while there is no provision to allow tax relief specifically for expenses relating to dyslexia, Section 469 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for relief under the heading of "health expenses" for: (a) a person under the age of 18 years, or, (b) if over that age, a person receiving full-time instruction at any university, college, school or...