Results 7,321-7,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to Corporation Tax paid in Ireland by Irish-owned companies and foreign-owned companies. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that statistics identifying the amount of Corporation Tax paid by foreign-owned companies are not separately available. The total Exchequer yield from corporation tax in each of the years requested by the Deputy is as...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: My Department disposes of redundant information technology equipment by using services provided by a recycling company that specialises in the safe disposal of this type of equipment. Furthermore, it is the policy of my Department to remove all storage devices from the equipment prior to disposal. The data on these devices is wiped by the IT Unit staff prior to the shredding of the devices...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I will set out the position in relation to my Department and the Offices for which I have direct responsibility which have posts designated as Press Officers. In other cases, contact with the media is normally dealt with by staff in general service grades or staff in the relevant area of the organisation concerned. The answer does not cover the NTMA or Central Bank which are responsible for...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Podcasts are not available for download by members of the public on websites maintained by my Department and its agencies. However, as with all new technologies, the communications potential of podcasts is being kept under review. In particular, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners examined this and similar technology as part of a continuous review of communications tools in order to...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: As part of an Office of Public Works initiative, my Department will undertake an energy awareness campaign early in 2008 which will include raising awareness among staff of the need to conserve energy, identification of possible improvements in heating systems, and an energy audit. To facilitate the monitoring of the effectiveness of the campaign, monitoring software has been installed in...

Written Answers — Public Service Pay: Public Service Pay (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The tables that follows this reply list the pay rates in place in 2000 and all subsequent pay increases — those arising from national wage agreements, recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector and recommendations of the Benchmarking Body — for the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, Ministers and Ministers of State. Report No. 40 of the Review Body on Higher...

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

Brian Cowen: I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that I have not increased the rates of excise on petrol and diesel in the last three Budgets. In the Finance Bill 2005, I marginally increased the rates for auto-LPG, non-auto-LPG and fuel oil to comply with the minimum rates provided for in the EU Energy Tax Directive. In Budget 2006, I reduced the excise rates for kerosene, the primary fuel used...

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

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, tax relief is available for donations to certain sports bodies for the funding of capital projects. To be eligible for the relief the sports body must be an Approved Sports Body and the donation must be for the purposes of an Approved Project. To be regarded as an Approved Sports Body, a sports body must obtain from the Revenue Commissioners both a valid tax...

Written Answers — Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme: Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The legislation governing the Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment scheme provides for the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, in consultation with the Minister for Finance, to issue guidelines for the scheme. The development of these guidelines has been the subject of ongoing consultations between the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and my Department. The guidelines are...

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

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, that while they are engaged in a wide ranging consultation process with stakeholders, with the objective of expanding use of the Revenue On-line service for the filing of Tax Returns and payments, they have no plans to make this compulsory for all taxpayers. Last September the Revenue Commissioners announced they were beginning a detailed and...

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

Brian Cowen: The VAT treatment of goods and services is governed by EU law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The rate of VAT that applies to a particular good or service is determined by the nature of the good or service, and not by the status of the customer. There is no provision in European VAT law that would allow the application of a reduction or removal of VAT on supplies of home heating fuel...

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

Brian Cowen: The position is that, in general, an investor may dispose of BES shares after the specified five-year holding period without impacting on the relief previously granted in respect of those shares. Where shares are disposed of before that time, relief may be reduced or withdrawn. Where, however, as mentioned in the Deputy's question, an investor has invested for two consecutive years in the...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Today, I present my fourth budget and this Government's first one against a challenging economic backdrop. INTRODUCTION Our economy has experienced extraordinary growth for more than a decade. At home and abroad our success has been lauded. That success is down to the commitment and drive of our people. Recent Governments have succeeded in managing the growth of the economy so that it has...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Through a combination of Exchequer and local government funding, more than €600 million will be provided for regional and local roads. This will continue the commitment which the Government has shown over the past decade to the renewal of this vital network. I am also investing almost €1 billion in our public transport system next year. This significant level of investment means that...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Government is firmly committed to the rural economy. We plan to build on our investment in rural life.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Farming plays a major role in conserving our environment. It is already contributing significantly through more effective nitrates control and waste management. Thankfully, the economic prospects for farming have improved with higher producer prices and increased food exports.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are some problem areas such as sugar, where special supports are needed. I will announce tax changes in a moment to make those supports more effective.

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The farm waste management scheme was put in place to help farmers adjust to the new environmental conditions and standards required by the EU nitrates directive and to support the competitiveness of Irish agriculture. In response to the very strong take-up of this scheme, I am now providing for a further increase of €35 million in the 2008 provision to bring total grant aid next year to...

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In addition, the rural environmental protection scheme, REPS 4——

Budget Statement 2008 (5 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——will continue to underpin the Government's commitment to protection of the rural landscape, increased biodiversity and improved water quality. In 2008, I am allocating €370 million to REPS 4——