Results 641-660 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: That was his announcement on budget day but my specific point is that his recognition in advance of 2008 that the economy would not grow meant he set his budget and Finance Bill accordingly.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: We are a small island nation with an open economy. We do not have a destiny in which we can ride the waves and buck the trend, yet our growth rate is one that many of our European partners and others would strongly envy. We are anticipating a growth rate of 3% this year and it is in that context that the budget and Finance Bill were framed. Members have spoken of redundancies, which are...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: The Finance Bill as presented does a lot to facilitate business. I am pleased to see some aspects which will help to encourage the establishment of small businesses in particular. One specific change concerns corporation tax whose threshold has been raised from â¬150,000 to â¬200,000 for small companies. The VAT rate increase thresholds have also been raised to â¬37,500 for services and...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: ââthe Minister gave a commitment that there would be a substantial change in vehicle registration tax. A change of that nature requires a review process to ensure it will be effective and equitable.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: It could not be introduced overnight but he signalled it well in advance.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: We now have a system that allows people to make environmental choices when purchasing and driving motor vehicles. That is to be welcomed as there is a financial incentive involved.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: The Minister did not just stop there when it came to environmental choices and green issues. It is easy for people to pick snippets from the budget and praise the provisions concerning cars, but the Minister also changed business practice by encouraging that sector to invest in equipment. The specific change there is that the purchase of environmentally friendly and efficient equipment can...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: I also want to mention the changes that were made for first-time buyers both in mortgage interest relief and stamp duty. Not alone did the Minister reduce costs for first-time buyers but he also brought certainty to the stamp duty issue. I acknowledge that interest rates have risen. However, anyone who is considering purchasing a home to live in, rather than an investment property, given...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: I am not disputing that but I said if one could afford it, it is probably a good time to purchase and people in that position should be encouraged to do so. People often say that house prices will drop but that is a sentiment and in the meantime they are paying rent. However, affordability is now better for first-time buyers due to lower stamp duty, mortgage interest relief and the fall in...
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: There is no recession.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Is 3% growth a recession?
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: No.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: People are buying houses.
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Is our economy growing?
- Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Is our economy growing?
- Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Question 216: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of licences that have been issued to private bus companies to operate bus services in the greater Dublin area; the number of these services that are operational; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that licences being held for extended periods without the provision of a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter....
- Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Question 298: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour orders that have been issued in the Dublin area to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3956/08]
- Written Answers — Public Order Offences: Public Order Offences (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Question 299: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour orders that have been issued to date nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3957/08]
- Written Answers — Road Traffic Offences: Road Traffic Offences (6 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Question 304: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action that can be taken by Gardaà to deal with motor vehicles parked on public roads but not displaying valid motor tax and insurance discs; if these motor vehicles can be towed away and impounded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4043/08]
- Written Answers — Residency Permits: Residency Permits (7 Feb 2008)
John Curran: Question 205: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made regarding an application for permission to remain in the State by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin. [4397/08]