Results 7,381-7,400 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (2 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 213. To ask the Minister for Finance the implications for Ireland of the European Court of Justice ruling in respect of the levying of air travel tax on transit and transfer passengers; if he has estimated a potential cost to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46173/14]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Economic Growth (2 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 214. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on recent OECD comments on Ireland’s public finances and that further reforms were needed to increase competition, innovation and make it easier to start and develop a business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46174/14]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Disability Services Provision (2 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 436. To ask the Minister for Health the position concerning the reconfiguration of disability services in the area of HSE south; the work that has been done to date; the steps that remain to be taken including timeframe; the location of any proposed new facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46310/14]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Staff Sick Leave (2 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 457. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views in respect of correspondence (details supplied) regarding sick leave entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46145/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Irish Water Establishment (2 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 529. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the position regarding the amount of water charges that will be levied in respect of a second property a person may own and which is unoccupied; his views on whether these charges are fair in view of the new charges that apply to principal private dwellings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46031/14]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Water Charges Administration (2 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 530. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to set out the position regarding the liability for water charges in a landlord-tenant scenario; the implications in the event that the tenant does not pay the water charges; if the landlord has a right to establish whether or the tenant has paid the water charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46032/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 1. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans for the future of the State's ownership of AIB; the reason for his recent comments in relation to the price of AIB shares; his plans to dispose of a stake in the bank in 2015; how the proceeds of any such sale would be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46375/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: The purpose of my first question is to establish the Minister's intentions regarding the State's ownership of AIB in view of the appointment of a panel of professional advisors to assist in the possible sale of a stake in the bank and the Minister's recent comments about the share price. I am hoping the Minister will give some clarity on his intentions in the short and medium term regarding...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. Does the Minister believe that the State will recoup all of the €20.8 billion that was injected into AIB? He has just said that he believes the current valuation of AIB is in excess of the €11.6 billion figure that the NPRFC put on the bank at the end of 2013. When I quizzed the CEO of AIB, Mr. David Duffy, at a recent meeting of the Joint...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Banking Sector (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: I am glad to hear that the Minister is not rushing it, because there is no need to rush it. The State came to AIB's rescue in its hour of need and injected an absolutely colossal amount of money to save the bank - almost €21 billion. People will be glad to hear that over time, albeit an indefinite amount of time, the State will recoup all of that money; the sooner the better, of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: 4. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce changes to the pay and file arrangements for 2015, particularly in respect of filing dates; his views on the need to give certainty as soon as possible for professional advisers and self-employed persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46376/14]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: The purpose of this question is to seek clarity on the Minister's intentions regarding the pay and file arrangements. I understand the issue affects up to 600,000 self-employed persons and small businesses. Last year the Minister rowed back on plans to change the pay and file return date for 2014, although he signalled his intention to bring it forward. I am seeking clarity on his...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for clarifying the issue, as it is important that small businesses and self-employed persons have certainty for the next 12 months. They will welcome the news that the pay and file date will not change for 2015. That leads me to the next question of whether it is still the Minister's intention to change the pay and file date in the future. We do not want to have a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Tax Code (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for providing clarity. The experience in the past 12 months or so bears out the point that we and many others raised at the time that the income stream from self-employed returns was in the region of €1 billion. Even if the estimate was out by 15%, the difference would be €150 million. In the overall context, such a sum would be somewhat immaterial and...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: If the tragic death of Mr. Jonathan Corrie is to mean anything, it has to be a catalyst for change. Anyone who saw the place where he had tragically passed away could not have been untouched. One cannot be untouched by the sense of desolation, loneliness, coldness and sadness he must have experienced in the hours before he passed away on Sunday night or Monday morning. If that does not...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: I do not get a sense from the Taoiseach's response that he grasps the seriousness of the crisis, how urgent it is and what it means for those who find themselves in this situation. The reality is that the profile of people in this country who are becoming or are about to become homeless is not like it was before; it is not all about drug and alcohol addiction.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: They are, of course, factors in many cases but not all. The reality is that the rental sector is completely dysfunctional and in crisis. The policy of the Government of not allowing an increase in rent caps is resulting in many families not being able to rent privately and no council houses are available for them. Such families are living in emergency accommodation and many of them are, in...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: They are not doing that either.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: We need both.

Order of Business (3 Dec 2014)

Michael McGrath: I wish to ask the Taoiseach about a few pieces of legislation. The first is the Gambling Control Bill, which is a very important piece of legislation to deal with the regulation of gambling, particularly problem gambling which is becoming a growing phenomenon. It deals with the protection of vulnerable people and many other important issues. When will the Bill come before this House for...