Results 7,381-7,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (6 Dec 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 Yield: Tax Yield (6 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information available in respect of net receipts from inheritance and probate tax is as follows: Year Inheritance Tax Probate Tax €m €m 2000 154.72 37.51 2001 121.50 21.41 2002 128.06 5.38 2003 130.65 2.55 2004 171.29 2.76 2005 196.65 1.73 2006 299.37 1.76 Details from...

Written Answers — Gaming Legislation: Gaming Legislation (6 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In August 1994, the National Lottery Company informed the Department of Finance that it had entered into a reciprocal confidentiality agreement with a third party, the Vector Ogden Group, which had a proposal to build a complex in the old Phoenix Park Racecourse comprising an International Conference Centre and a casino. I understand that such an agreement was considered a necessary...

Written Answers — Gaming Legislation: Gaming Legislation (6 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The establishment and operation of a casino would be subject to the provisions of the Gaming and Lotteries Acts, which are a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In respect of the period referred to by the Deputy, the records in my Department do not indicate that the National Lottery Company made any proposal to the Minister for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are no legal or other impediments of which I am aware which would prevent Ireland from changing its standard rate of corporation tax on a general basis. The Government made clear its commitment to the standard 12.5% rate of corporation tax in its agreed Programme for Government.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. The Ethics Acts (i.e. the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001) already allow the Standards in Public Office Commission, where it considers it appropriate to do so, to launch 'own initiative' investigations, where no formal complaint has been made. Issues concerning non-office holding members of...

Written Answers — Salary Agreements: Salary Agreements (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The pay of political office holders is covered by the terms of reference of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The Review Body, which was established in 1969, is a independent standing body whose primary function is to advise the Government on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to higher public servants (civil service, local authorities, health boards,...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In relation to the heating of my Department's offices the fuels used are natural gas and oil, which are from non renewable sources. The supply of electrical energy to my Department is provided by two of the major suppliers of electricity to the national grid. While the supply from these providers is not principally from renewable sources, I understand that this supply does include a component...

Written Answers — Betting Licences: Betting Licences (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: No request for such approval has been presented to me since my appointment as Minister for Finance. However, as the Deputy will be aware from my response last week (Dáil Question No. 87 answered on 6 December 2007), in February 1998, the Chairman of the National Lottery Company wrote to the Department of Finance about the Company's intention to go into a 12-month non-disclosure agreement...

Written Answers — Betting Licences: Betting Licences (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 210 together. I am advised by my Department that the only relevant report on file in my Department concerns a meeting on 7 November 1995, between a promoter of the Vector Ogden/Sonas proposal and Department officials. This dealt with the general remit of the Task Force then examining the pros and cons of licensing casinos, and not with particular...

Written Answers — Betting Licences: Betting Licences (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: No such reports have been submitted to me since I was appointed other than reports arising from recent questions and enquiries into what transpired during the 1990s.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 157 to 159, inclusive, together. Staff in my department do not ordinarily claim expenses in respect of mobile call charges. If necessary, staff are provided with a mobile phone on a temporary basis where appropriate. The cost of mobile charges incurred by me in 2006 was €1,677.89 and to date in 2007 is €2,077.58. The cumulative cost of mobile charges...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 161, 162, 163, 164 and 165 together. The table sets out the completion schedule for the reviews in question. Value for Money Review Completion Economic and Social Research Institute July 2006. Information Society Fund August 2006. Ordnance Survey Ireland January 2007. Departmental Procurement Due to be completed by the end of 2008. Procurement...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, given the basis on which the taxpayer is employed, he is liable to tax under Schedule E PAYE. Therefore, it would not be in order to classify the person as a self-assessed taxpayer. On 29 November 2007 the Revenue Commissioners wrote to the taxpayer's agent outlining the reasons why this is so. A copy of this letter also issued...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to answer questions 167, 169 and 171 together. There were no Press Advisers in my Department for the period concerned. The Press Officer is responsible for management of the Press Office, the functions of which comprise responding to questions regarding the Minister for Finance or the Department of Finance from all members of the broadcast and print media, as well as members of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The cost of newspapers purchased by my Department in 2006 was €77,050 and to date in 2007 was €76,907. The table sets out the number of each paper purchased on a daily and weekly basis for Departmental staff and papers supplied to my offices in Dublin and Tullamore and to the Minister of State's office. Daily and Weekly Newspapers supplied for Departmental Officials No. of Copies Irish...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Details in relation to expenditure by my Department on the provision of advice by media consultants over the period in question are as set out in the table. Consultant Amount Purpose Year â'¬ Brindley Advertising 318,030 Design and delivery of Euro advertising campaign. 1998 Brindley Advertising 581,869 Design and delivery of Euro changeover advertising campaign. 1999 Brindley...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are currently eight departmental credit cards issued to office holders and officials in my Department. I, as Minister, hold one credit card, and my Private Secretary, Press Officer and Special Adviser have each been issued with one credit card. One senior official has also been issued with a credit card. These cards are used generally for official expenses in connection with travel,...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The cost to my Department of photographers used by the Ministers and Ministers of State in my Department in each year since 2003 is listed in the table. Prior to 2003, before the Department introduced its new financial management system, records were not held in a manner which facilitates the identification of such costs without undue administrative effort. Year Photographers € 2003...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The cost of make-up for each year since my appointment as Minister for Finance in 2004 is outlined in the table. Year Make-up â'¬ 2004 550 2005 No costs 2006 750 2007 to date No costs