Results 621-640 of 40,330 for speaker:Leo Varadkar

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Rather than criticising Fine Gael, the Minister should accept that we have a real challenge in competitiveness. He should have laid out clearly the steps he will take to restore competitiveness, instead of behaving like an ostrich burying his head in the sand.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister hopes the problems will just go away, but when Fine Gael returns to power we will not run away from economic challenges. We will welcome them and embrace them.

Competitiveness of the Economy: Motion (Resumed) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I will finish on one point of agreement. In his speech, the Minister said the best benchmark of how a country is doing is to look at its capacity to generate new sustainable jobs. I guarantee that is the benchmark to which we will hold him next year and the year after. Let us see how well he does in terms of job creation in the next two years.

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Tobacco Products) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: The evidence is that the amount of tobacco and cigarettes being sold over the past few years has increased. Perhaps I am wrong about that but I am pretty sure it is the case that there has been an increase. The excuse given is that a large number of people have come here from central and eastern Europe, that they smoke a lot and that is the reason for the increase. I am, however, a bit...

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Tobacco Products) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I was referring to cigarettes where the tax has already been paid and the stamp is already on them and where the retailer tomorrow will charge 30 cent more even though the tax has already been paid.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: He took an incinerator.

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I fully support the proposed changes, at least in vehicle registration tax and compliment the Minister on this innovative proposal. We could argue about whether the measure would have been introduced had the Green Party not been in Government but that is beside the point. It is a welcome step forward which Fine Gael supports because it introduces an emissions based tax, which is, in many...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: The Minister should provide the information today. This is a tax on car ownership. I am not aware of other assets which are taxed on the basis that people own them. We tax people for buying goods. This tax is an attack on business and consumers, as are the proposals on tolls we will discuss at an oral hearing on Wednesday. If the Minister proposes to change motor tax, why not take the...

Financial Resolution No. 3: Excise Duties (Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: These are unfair taxes.

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his view on the high proportion of Chinese and Nigerian nationals who claim to speak the Irish language; his views on the figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29441/07]

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (5 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 89: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on the census figures relating to the use of the Irish language; his views on whether the questions asked give an accurate impression of the level of proficiency in the language and use thereof in the general population; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29440/07]

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I wish to share time with Deputies Neville and Burke. In a radio interview four years ago, then Minister for Finance, former Deputy Charlie McCreevy, told us there were only three socialists in the Dáil, one being the Taoiseach and another, he later explained, former Deputy Joe Higgins. Mr. McCreevy left us speculating on the identity of the third comrade. After yesterday's tax and spend...

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: I would be pleased to do so if the Minister of State is genuinely interested in the issue.

Financial Resolution No. 5: General (Resumed) (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: We could adopt the Dutch certification model using independent doctors.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 85: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that has been accrued from inheritance tax for each year since 2000 with a breakdown by group A, B and C of the beneficiaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33126/07]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 86: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of revenue that has been accrued from probate tax for each year since 2000 with a breakdown by group A, B and C of the beneficiaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33127/07]

Written Answers — Gaming Legislation: Gaming Legislation (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 87: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if agreement was reached between any agency or State body attached to his Department to support or assist in any way in the development of the proposed Sonas development on the former Phoenix Park Racecourse at Castleknock, Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33141/07]

Written Answers — Gaming Legislation: Gaming Legislation (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 88: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if consideration was given to amend legislation to permit casino gaming during the 1989 to 1994 period; the level of his involvement and that of the National Lottery Company in this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33143/07]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if there is anything in European law or intergovernmental agreements that would prevent or impede Ireland from reducing corporation profit tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33148/07]

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (6 Dec 2007)

Leo Varadkar: Question 148: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the lands in the ownership of the IDA, their acreage and the percentage of that remains undeveloped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33113/07]