Results 7,481-7,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — National Lottery: National Lottery (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by my Department that its records indicate that, in August 1994, there was knowledge of discussions between the National Lottery Company and Sonas/Ogden Group. I outlined the background to this in a recent reply (Dáil Question No. 87) answered on 6 December 2007.

Written Answers — National Lottery: National Lottery (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed that there are no records on file in my Department of meetings between the Minister and the promoters in question during the period specified. However, the records contain a claim by the then Chief Executive of An Post that his understanding was the Minister had met such a promoter. Also, in a copy on file of a September 1994 letter from the Ogden/Sonas promoters to the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that they are not in a position to provide the information requested by the Deputy within the timescale for issue of a reply to his question. The Commissioners have advised me that they will contact the Deputy directly, and supply the information requested, insofar as it is available.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 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 Code: Tax Code (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am having this matter re-examined in consultation with the Revenue Commissioners and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Investigations: Departmental Investigations (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together. I and my Department are fully conscious of the need for secrecy in relation to all Budget matters. That is why, in advance of the Budget, the Secretary General of my Department wrote to the Secretary Generals of all other Government Departments and to the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners reminding them of the need for absolute...

Written Answers — Departmental Records: Departmental Records (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: My Department does not keep records in relation to my attendance at the Department's headquarters.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a debit instruction provided by a customer or his/her agent to Revenue is processed by Revenue where there is consistency between that instruction and customer and account information already provided to Revenue. In the very limited number of instances where an inconsistency arises, Revenue must resolve the inconsistency before the debit...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together. The Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour (promulgated on 9 September 2004) at Section 5 restated the rules governing civil servants who wish to stand for election to local authorities. In summary civil servants, established or unestablished, may not involve themselves in politics other than as provided for in the Code. Special...

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Whoever holds the office.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: My confidence is far better founded than the Deputy's.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy missed his break.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: That is a matter for the Adjournment.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: No.

Appointment of Chairperson of the Standards in Public Office Commission: Motion (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move: That, pursuant to subsections (2A) (inserted by section 2 of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 (No. 31 of 2001)), of section 21 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 (No. 22 of 1995), Dáil Éireann recommends the appointment of Mr. Justice Matthew P. Smith, a former Judge of the High Court, by the President on the advice of the Government to be the chairperson of the...

Appointment of Ordinary Member of Standards in Public Office Commission: Motion (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move: That, pursuant to subsection (2)(b)(v) (inserted by section 2 of the Standards in Public Office Act, 2001 (No. 31 of 2001)), of section 21 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 (No. 22 of 1995), Dáil Éireann approves the proposed appointment by the Government of Mr. Michael Smith (being a former member of Dáil Éireann and not being a member of the European Parliament) to be an...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs Service has primary responsibility for the implementation of drugs enforcement controls at all airports and private airfields/ aerodromes in the State. I presume that the Deputy is referring to customs controls in place at the airfields and aerodromes outside of our three major international community airports at Dublin, Cork and...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994, is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are no Revenue charges on transactions carried out using either debit cards or credit cards. There is, however, a stamp duty on financial cards which is being reduced as announced in my recent Budget speech. The charges are: A 25 per cent cut in the duty on credit cards reducing the charge from €40 to €30; A 50 per cent cut in the duty on ATM and debit cards reducing the charge...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is presumed the Deputy is referring to the costs relative to the old residential stamp duty rules which were in place prior to Budget 2008. These costs are a function of the actual and estimated number of transactions and the price levels at which these transactions take place, and are therefore sensitive to cyclical changes in the housing market. The estimated cost of restructuring stamp...