Results 621-640 of 2,156 for speaker:Tom Parlon

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: What is the booklet?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: It is free to enter. I will make the booklet available to the Senator.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: It might have been referred to before the Cathaoirleach entered. It lists the houses of significant interest that qualify for a tax exemption if their owners allow them to be visited by the public.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: On the recommendation, I notice the concern that the Mullingar accord is clearly being challenged on this issue.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: I happen to be familiar with the deal agreed between landowners and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government because I was party to it. The deal involves the valuation of the land. Senator Bradford referred to lower prices being offered for land than was hitherto the case. The main discussion on this subject related to the size of a parcel of land. A farmer who loses...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: Such judgments are made by the Minister for Finance in each budget and I assume he will make such a judgment in the next budget. The last budget was unique in that it contained no excise duty increases. I cannot guarantee that the Minister will be as benign in the next budget.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: It is a recognition of the significantly lower levels of pollutants emitted by hybrid vehicles that this exemption is being extended. The exemption relates to continuously changing technology and is being extended on a two-year basis. We may have hydrogen cars or even more environmentally friendly cars in the future. The Minister will review the exemption at the end of 2006 and will extend it...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: The only attraction hybrid cars have is that their owners can qualify for the 50% reduction in excise duty. I do not think these vehicles will ever gain a foothold in the Irish market.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: Businesses have supported Government policies over the past few years because it has reduced taxes and taken a pro-business line. It is as easy for the Minister for Finance to extend the relief after two years rather than enshrine it in law and change it after two years. The measure will be reviewed but I believe that it is not the main attraction of hybrid cars. Car technology will change...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: Senator John Paul Phelan's recommendation would provide that the VAT registration threshold for traders in services would increase from €25,500 to €75,000. The Senator will appreciate that EU VAT law, with which Irish law must comply, determines the rules in respect of any change in VAT registration thresholds. This means that it is possible to increase the thresholds but only in line...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: This recommendation is opposed. It refers to section 113, which deals with the Sixth Schedule of the Value-Added Tax Act 1972. This schedule lists goods and services that are liable at the reduced rate of VAT of 13.5%. The paragraph in question deals with hot food and drink purchased for consumption, whether at a take away outlet, a garage, a supermarket or elsewhere. The purpose of the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2005 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (23 Mar 2005)

Tom Parlon: No.

Written Answers — School Remediation Works: School Remediation Works (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: Planning is in hand for a scheme to replace the asbestos based roofs at the school in question. Works will commence as soon as possible following completion of this process and the necessary tendering and contractual procedures and subject to agreement on programming with the school authorities.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 329 and 386 together. Officials from the Office of Public Works met officials of Kildare County Council on 16 March 2005 to discuss directly the acquisition of an additional plot of land for this development. It is understood that Kildare County Council has agreed in principle to dispose of the plot of land in question to the OPW and has commenced the process...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 330 and 387 together. Officials from the Office of Public Works met officials of Kildare County Council on 16 March 2005 to discuss the acquisition of an additional plot of land for this development. It is understood that Kildare County Council has agreed in principle to dispose of the plot of land in question to the OPW and has commenced the process to effect...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 383 together. The Office of Public Works received a report from Kildare County Council in relation to flood alleviation measures in Leixlip, County Kildare, on 5 April 2005. The Commissioners of Public Works are considering this report.

Written Answers — Asylum Support Services: Asylum Support Services (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: Proceedings in the case of Thomas Rothwell and Others v. Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and another were withdrawn by the applicants on the following settlement conditions: the applicant to receive €25,000 plus VAT for costs; the current licence with the landlord, Mr. Alex Wilsdon, to be terminated; that advance notice be given to the applicants regarding any future intention...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: The principle governing the management of the Phoenix Park is its conservation and presentation as a national historic park. Within these parameters, the Office of Public Works in managing the Phoenix Park maintains a careful balance between competing interests for the optimum benefits for all users. In this context, it is considered that the existing playground in the People's Gardens, which...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: Chesterfield Avenue was not originally constructed to deal with the current intense traffic volumes. As a result, it now needs both major repair works and the introduction of design features with a view to increasing safety and reducing the speed of traffic. A fully integrated plan for the renovation of Chesterfield Avenue has accordingly been prepared by my office, and it is intended to...

Written Answers — National Parks: National Parks (12 Apr 2005)

Tom Parlon: Chesterfield Avenue was not originally constructed to deal with the current intense traffic volumes. As a result, it now needs both major repair works and the introduction of design features with a view to increasing safety and reducing the speed of traffic. As part of the proposed fully integrated plan for the renovation of Chesterfield Avenue, which was developed in consultation with the...