Results 6,861-6,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position is that the income tax code has many favourable provisions relating to the tax treatment of widowed persons, particularly widowed parents with dependent children. This includes widowed persons aged 65 or over. In the year of bereavement, a widowed person may receive a personal tax credit which is equivalent in value to the married tax credit, currently €3,520. Following the...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 13, Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007 — Second Stage (resumed) and No. 14, Charities Bill 2007 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business, No. 24, motion re Civil Unions Bill 2006 (resumed), is to be taken immediately after the Order of Business and to conclude after 90 minutes.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: No.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that legislation is promised to place the guidelines the Deputy mentioned on a statutory footing. The problem with all industrial relations disputes is that they usually arise when people do not engage in best industrial relations practice. On the particular issue causing a problem at the moment, the public will look askance at the fact that determining who puts a light bulb...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I dealt with this matter as Minister for the public service in the context of how all public servants are treated when the right to an entitlement to a pension arises. The question of social welfare policy is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, but the legislative provisions relating to late claims for social welfare benefits are set out in section...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am not sure whether legislation is promised, but I can reply to the Deputy if he wishes. At Waterford Wedgewood's AGM on 11 October, the company outlined that its sales were down by 9% due to the impact of the dollar exchange rate, which has since deteriorated further. That issue is not within the Government's control. The group announced that it was in final talks to place 50 million...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Legislation promised in this area relates to the alcohol products control of advertising, sponsorship and marketing practices-sales promotion Bill, which is designed to protect children and adolescents from over-exposure to alcohol advertising. The Minister has received the first report from the monitoring group established to oversee adherence to the voluntary codes. The Department and the...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: In both cases the heads of the Bills have not been agreed. Preparatory work continues on both Bills and the expected publication date is next year. I will bring the Deputy's inquiry to the attention of the relevant Ministers and see how they can be expedited. It is a question of priority legislation taking precedence, but I take the point that they are both important Bills in their fields....

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is in the context of job creation in Waterford, although that is not of immediate consolation to those whose jobs are at risk. When there were similar losses at the Dungarvan plant there was a successful rate of return to the workforce for many of those skilled workers because of proactive efforts on the part of State agencies.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Bill mentioned is designed to provide for a programme of social housing reforms aimed at improving services and their delivery, including strengthening local authority powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, expand the paths to home ownership for tenants and provide for the rental accommodation scheme. The heads of that Bill have been approved and the publication date is early 2008....

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The aviation regulation Bill is intended to provide for the separation of the safety regulation role of the Irish Aviation Authority and the establishment of a new aviation commission. It is not germane to the issue the Deputy raised but its publication date is next year.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I do not have the answer to the Deputy's second question but I will make inquiries from the Department and have them communicated directly to him. A previous committee made recommendations on the first matter and it could go on the agenda of the All-Party Committee on the Constitution, which was established under new arrangements.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Was the Deputy going around Dublin North-East wearing a black cape?

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I commend the Deputy on his assiduous attention to his constituency, even at that hour of the night. It is obviously a competitive constituency.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Fortunately, no legislation has been promised on Hallowe'en, nor was legislation required or promised with regard to the separation of the airports. The Deputy mentioned the group from that region who spoke about an allocation of €53 million for route promotion. That was a recommendation from a group in that area, not a Government commitment.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is obviously an economic and tourism package being dealt with and the reference to €53 million comes from that.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Legislation on mandatory breath testing is due to be introduced next year.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be dealt with in this session.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It will be published in this session.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is probably best to ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who took office following the election what priority it has. I will ask the Minister to communicate with the Deputy.