Results 7,281-7,300 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: As they say in my part of the country, that beats Banagher.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Minister gave his views——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: No. He gave the Government's views on this matter as part of a wider prospect of reform that should take place. Deputy Brian Hayes may one day get to make a ministerial speech — which I hope he will, although not in the near future.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: In any case, I hope he will be making speeches as a Deputy rather than a Senator. It is possible for a Minister to give his or her views without a memo to Government. Deputy Brian Hayes should not be too stilted if he ever gets the job.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: That is not the case. Deputy Hayes should accept when somebody says something new.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is no better man in the House than Deputy Ring to ask about the noise Bill. He has the best set of lungs in west Mayo.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: In view of the delays in bringing forward the noise Bill, perhaps Deputy Ring will introduce a Private Members' Bill. The George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill is at the preparatory stage.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Bill is unlikely to be taken while Deputy Ring is in the House.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the electoral amendment Bill are being prepared but no proposals have come to Government yet. When the Government gives approval we can discuss the matter.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Not as far as I know.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Both of those Bills are due next year.

Garda Síochána (Powers of Surveillance) Bill 2007: First Stage (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is still too much work required on it.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated number of income earners on the income tax records in 2006 earning gross income of €38,000 or less is projected at 1,452,000. Gross income is income before adjustments are made in respect of capital allowances, interest paid, losses, allowable expenses, retirement annuities etc. but after deduction of superannuation contributions...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that an advance party of forty-nine (49) officers are due to occupy temporary accommodation in Athy on 3 December 2007. Training has been provided on an on-going basis to staff who are due to go to Athy from the Kildare Revenue District resources. Staff have been assigned to the District during the last two years. As new staff are assigned to the...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of drug seizures by Customs where the estimated street value was €100,000 or greater since 1 January 2000 is 145. The total estimated street value of all such seizures is €302 million. The total estimated street value of all drugs seized by Customs since 1 January 2000 is €319...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive incorporated special derogations which allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in a number of Member States. In the Irish context, these derogations allowed for reduced rates to apply to fuel used for public transport services which includes school transport services. While these derogations expired on 31 December 2006, Ireland, along with other...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the VAT claim in respect of the person in question in County Westmeath has been approved for repayment on 27 November 2007.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is an approved AVC scheme in place for enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) which is restricted to death in service benefit. There is no AVC scheme in place for Commissioned Army Officers. It would be a matter for the Revenue Commissioners to consider any application for an AVC scheme if one was submitted to them for approval. In this regard, it would be open to...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Circular 20/98 deals with the classification of material as "top secret" and, inter alia, requires individual Departments to decide on the classification, necessity and amount of their own "top secret" material and to provide for formal reviews in this regard at Assistant Secretary level. Accordingly, the responsibility for carrying out reviews on their own material rests with Departments...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is provision in the existing Benefit-in-Kind arrangements to allow an employer to provide an employee with a small benefit to a value not exceeding €250 in any one year without applying PAYE and PRSI to that benefit. If the €250 limit is exceeded in any year the employee must pay tax on the total value of any such benefits. The purchase by an employer of a bicycle for an employee...