Results 7,221-7,240 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, has brought forward much change specifically on the age at which social welfare pensions would be paid. I am talking more about public service pensions.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: The Minister, Deputy Howlin, made a number of changes, with one dealing with the age of eligibility for social welfare pensions. Another involved the restructuring of public service pensions across the State, and there may be more amendments to bring forward.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: No, it refers to pensions that might be paid to public servants who retire in future.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: No.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am only signalling because I know the Deputy will make a speech about it. It is an input to policy.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: I do not propose to accept the amendment. While it is an interesting proposal, it would not be acceptable under the common principles as this could be seen as a threat to the independence of the council. One concern expressed to the Department by the fiscal council during the preparation of the legislation was the possibility of a Minister allocating additional functions without additional...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: I do not propose to accept the amendments. The common principles adopted by the European Commission require governments to comply or explain why they are not complying with the assessments set out in subsection (3). Accepting the proposed amendments would result in a requirement for the Government to respond to all assessments and reports produced by the council. The Government does...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: I can take that on board.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: I do not propose to accept the amendments proposed by Deputy McGrath. I am sympathetic to these suggestions but see real practical difficulties as they could result in a reluctance to allow a name to go forward for nomination even if candidates could be confident of ratification. It would be impossible to limit ratification hearings to matters of professional competence only and I can...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Fiscal Responsibility Bill 2012: Committee Stage (18 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: The members of the council work on a pro bono basis. They get some travelling and maintenance expenses but, essentially, they are people of very high competence in their professional lives and, as I said, work on a pro bono basis. It is important we get the highest category of person to serve. Anything that might, in their opinion, provide a platform where their professional competence...

Leaders' Questions (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: Unlike the last time.

Leaders' Questions (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: No. The Commission said-----

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Flood Relief (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: At the outset, the Deputy should note that I am aware of the particular difficulties that Clonakilty faces and have been advised by the OPW that consultants have commenced work on an accelerated programme under the South West CFRAM study to assess the flooding situation in Clonakilty and to develop a preferred option for measures to protect the town to an acceptable level from river and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Cycle to Work Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: The cycle-to-work scheme was introduced in Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 and continues to operate. As the Deputy is aware, it is a long standing tradition that the Minister for Finance does not comment on taxation matters in advance of the annual Budget.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Cycle to Work Scheme (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: The cycle-to-work scheme was introduced in Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 and continues to operate. Accordingly, an employer and employee may still enter into a salary sacrifice arrangement whereby the employee agrees to forego part of his or her salary to cover the costs associated with the purchase of the bicycle/safety equipment. Where salary sacrifice arrangements are used, they must be...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Bond Redemption (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: AIB has informed me that the bond redemption was fully met in the ordinary course of business. I understand that the Bank continues to make progress with deleveraging and deposit gathering and overall ECB borrowings have materially reduced since the beginning of the year.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Central Bank Property (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: Under section 6B of the Central Bank Act 1942, the Central may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of land held by the Bank whenever the Central Bank Commission considers that the land is no longer required for the purpose of enabling the Bank to perform its functions. I would advise the Deputy that I have no function in the matter of accommodation arrangements at the Central Bank. However,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fiscal Policy (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: In framing fiscal and economic policy so far, the Government has sought to balance the need to restore confidence in Ireland's fiscal position with the key objective of supporting economic growth that delivers jobs. While the short-run impact of fiscal consolidation may see a reduction in economic output, over the medium term positive effects are expected as the fiscal deficit is reduced and...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Euro Coins (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together. The Central Bank of Ireland acts as an agent of the Minister of Finance in the production and the issuing of euro coins. The composition of the metals used in the production of Euro coins is set out in Council Regulations (EC) No 423/1999 and No 975/98, both of which were published in the Official Journal of the European Union. The...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (23 Oct 2012)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that maintenance payments made under a legally enforceable separation agreement are taxable in the hands of the recipient, unless the parties have elected to be jointly assessed to tax in accordance with the provisions of section 1026 (for former spouses) or 1031K (for former civil partners) of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. In either situation...