Results 7,321-7,340 of 7,489 for speaker:Cian O'Callaghan

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: Our construction sector productivity is quite poor relative to comparable countries. There is a lack of investment in equipment and technology, and a lack of private sector investment in particular in those areas. Does Dr. McDonnell have any ideas how to address that productivity gap in the construction sector?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: There is a lack of private sector investment in that at the moment, and that is what the data shows.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: On the area of research and development, in the opening statement it was argued that much higher spending on public research and development is needed to bring us into line with other advanced countries and economies. This is described as a consistent and frustrating policy failure. Does Dr. McDonnell have any view on why this area of public research and development is being neglected so...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: It does seem to be a particular weakness. We had some discussion earlier about some strengths that we have as a country but this seems to be a particular weakness.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: I thank the witness for coming in. On the point about the challenge of infrastructure, delivering it, and the importance of financing infrastructure, IBEC's pre-budget submission has a costing of €86 million to do the reduction on VAT for apartments and to discontinue development levies on new-build apartments. Does that €86 million include replacement funding for...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: Is the increase in property tax in the submission?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: There is an absolute logic to what Mr. Brady just said regarding where taxation falls and how it is collected. There is a risk with this that it could then lead to higher site values. Are there any measures he can propose to ensure a reduction in VAT would not be effectively captured by increased site values?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: Regarding general funding on infrastructure, the IBEC submission provides for €1.3 billion in new infrastructure spending. The summer economic statement provides for €2 billion. IBEC is advocating for less spending on infrastructure than the Government.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: Okay, so it is €1.4 billion in addition to-----

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: That makes sense. IBEC is advocating a budget day package of €3 billion, but that is in addition to maintaining existing levels of public service. Does Mr. Brady have an estimate on that and what would be the overall budget package?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: It could be an overall package of €7 billion compared to the Government's of €9.4 billion.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: On page 12 of the submission, there is a striking graph of investment into capital expenditure in Ireland compared to other countries. It shows that in almost every year we are significantly behind other countries. This is an ongoing problem. Is what IBEC proposes going to bring us up to a sufficient level of capital expenditure?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget Engagement (Resumed) (23 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: The comparator countries in that graph are Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, Finland, and Sweden. Is there any particular reason for that group of countries? I do not know where they sit compared to other European countries in terms of capital expenditure, but it might be suspected they are at the better end of it.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: The Government voted down our proposals on this.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: Why did the Government vote against it?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: Work which the Government is not doing.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: I thank both Ministers for their attendance. As part of the budgetary process, are tax breaks for developers under consideration?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: I know that decisions have not been made and I know that the Minister will not indicate decisions. I am just asking if tax breaks for developers are under consideration as part of the budgetary process.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: Representatives of Social Justice Ireland appeared before the committee recently. They have a very good analysis of the budget. They pointed out that we are wealthier than at any time in our history, yet almost 630,000 people are living below the poverty line, 190,000 of whom are children. Its analysis also found that in last year's budget the rich-poor gap increased to its highest level...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2026 Engagement (Resumed) (24 Sep 2025)

Cian O'Callaghan: If the Minister is sceptical about refundable tax credits, what other measures does he think could achieve the same?