Results 6,381-6,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: Those are quotes from the tribunal and the Deputy should withdraw his statement.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: The problem is, as with many issues on which Deputy Kenny tries to acquire some sort of national pre-eminence, we must listen when he says "Is it the fact that I am old-fashioned that I know right from wrong and no one else does?"

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I know right from wrong. The tribunal will be the arbiter if we are to avoid arbitrary justice in this House under the sham hypocrisy of a debate to which I had to listen.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: If we want to avoid arbitrary justice, let the tribunal proceed with its deliberations.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: It can only come to a conclusion——

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: May I continue with my speech?

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: It can only come to a conclusion when it listens to all the facts.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry, there appears to be some static coming in on the background. The money the Taoiseach got during the time of his matrimonial difficulties has all been repaid.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: Some €97,000 has been repaid, but I did not hear anyone refer to that in his or her speech. These are some of the facts that did not come from the mouths of those in Opposition.

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: One of the things about having trust in Government is that we have free elections and free debate. In a most partisan way this issue was brought into the heart of the general election campaign. In their discernment the people have decided on one of two things. They have decided that they will allow the tribunal to deal with these matters and they have insisted by their vote that this man...

Confidence in Taoiseach: Motion (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I refer Deputy Kenny to something he might require and something he did not show when Deputy Noonan beat him to the leadership of his party. I believe political loyalty is a virtue and that loyalty will be maintained by the Government for the Taoiseach on the basis of his achievements and what he has to offer which is far greater than anything that Deputy Kenny could even contemplate.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the person concerned has applied for the tax concessions under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme and that she has been unsuccessful at first instance and on appeal to the Medical Board of Appeal for the Scheme. I have no direct responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the Medical Board of Appeal for the Disabled Drivers and Disabled...

Written Answers — Money Lending Regulation: Money Lending Regulation (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of the Financial Regulator's concerns that some lending activities (including those of some sub-prime lenders) fall outside the scope of the Consumer Protection Code and therefore some borrowers do not benefit from the additional safeguards which that Code provides. I have already indicated my intention to bring forward legislation to ensure that all consumer lending can be...

Written Answers — Money Lending Regulation: Money Lending Regulation (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of the Financial Regulator's recently published review of the licensed moneylending industry. The purpose of this review was to gain a greater understanding of the industry and to determine whether it is appropriate, necessary and reasonable to change current regulatory policies. It is not my function or that of the Financial Regulator to endorse any type of credit provider as...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 197 together. In relation to Deputy Bannon's question, neither pensioners, nor any other taxpayers, pay tax on medical expenses; moreover, full relief against tax payable is now available at the marginal rate applicable in relation to the tax year 2007 and subsequent years. The de minimis amounts referred to by Deputy Naughten were abolished for all...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: The essential point at issue here appears to be the tax treatment of the reimbursement of the cost of travel and taxi fares in respect of travel between home and work. It is a long established principle of tax case law that the expenses of travelling from home to work and work to home are not expenses of travelling necessarily incurred by an employee in the performance of the duties of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position has been that individuals aged 65 years or over and individuals who are permanently incapacitated by reason of mental or physical infirmity from maintaining themselves, can claim a refund from DIRT where the income of the individual (inclusive of the deposit interest) is below the appropriate income exemption limit for tax purposes. In the 2007 tax year the exemption limit for a...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Finance (No. 2) Act 2007 introduced an exemption from stamp duty for first-time buyers in accordance with the commitments made in the Programme for Government to bring about immediate change to the stamp duty code for first-time buyers. The Programme for Government provides that deeds presented by first-time buyers to the Revenue Commissioners on or after 30 April 2007 will be exempt from...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I assume that what the Deputy has in mind in this case is to extend the tax exemption which applies to foster care payments to payments relating to other areas of caring such as care for those with a disability, the elderly or infirm. The position is that children who are in foster care are in the care of the State under the Child Care Act 1991. Foster carers undertake to care for foster...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Sep 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that The Value Added Tax (Refund Of Tax) (No. 15) Order 1981 allows for VAT paid on qualifying goods to be refunded where the goods are purchased for the use of disabled persons suffering a specified degree of disablement. Qualifying goods are defined as "goods other than mechanically propelled road vehicles which are aids or appliances, including...