Results 7,721-7,740 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Interest Rates: Interest Rates (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As part of a coordinated move with other central banks, the European Central Bank reduced its policy interest rates by 50 basis points on 8th October 2008. The ECB cut rates by another 50 basis points at its Governing Council meeting on 6th November. These interest rate cuts should have a positive impact upon the Irish economy if fully passed on at the retail level. The main channel is...

Written Answers — Oil Prices: Oil Prices (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Oil prices have eased recently on global commodity markets. This is primarily due to a fall in demand arising from a weakening in the international economic outlook. This development will have a number of positive impacts upon the Irish economy. Measured in euros, the wholesale price of oil has fallen by over 40 percent from its peak reached during July. This decline has led to a fall in the...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As regards the cost incurred by my Department, all internal work associated with the Scheme is being carried out by the reallocation of existing staff so that any associated costs are being met from within the Department's allocated administrative budget. In addition, legal advice has been obtained from both the Attorney General's Office, within their existing allocation, and from a private...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The cost of storage in designated document storage centres may vary on a monthly basis depending on the number of boxes in storage. In the case of my own Department there are some 11,516 held in rented storage for the month of November 2008. The storage cost per box stored varies depending on the cubic capacity of the box in question. The cost per cubic meter for storage in the month of...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, on the basis of the information available, all tax rebates due have been made to the person.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189 to 191, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that information on the ages or the marginal income tax rates of individual claimants is not required or captured for the purpose of administering tax relief for medical insurance premia in the Tax Relief at Source (TRS) System. There is, therefore, no statistical basis on which the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In 2006 my Department issued the Guidelines on the Engagement of Consultants and Other External Support in the Civil Service. These guidelines require that external support is procured only where it is necessary and that value for money is obtained. My department requires that each office and department confirms regularly that these guidelines are applied. In addition, all Departments and...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of consultants engaged by them in 2006 and 2007 were 38 and 31 respectively. The names of these consultants are set below. Consultants engaged by Revenue 2006 and 2007 20:20 Vision Accenture, Achilles Procurement Serv. Actons Solicitors Alchemy Films ltd AMAS Ltd Arthur Nowlan Ballycotton Marine Services. Bearing Point...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In 2007 my Department spent €160,916.32 on mileage allowances. The total number of kilometres for which mileage allowance was claimed was 224,159. The total number of trips taken in the year amounted to 1,176 and the number of claimants for the year was 212. A detailed breakdown of the figures by engine size is contained in the following table: Engine Size Summary Details Totals 0cc to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (25 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The staffing of my private and constituency office is set out as follows: Private Office Title Number Annual Salary Range Administrative Officer 1 €45,510 – €64,296 Executive Officer 2 €30,566 – €50,510 Staff Officer 1 €34,941 – €46,655 Clerical Officer* 5 €23,174 – €40,417 *Including 1 work sharing. Constituency Office Title Number Annual Salary Range...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is such a thing as personal responsibility, Deputy.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Second Stage (Resumed) (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In my reply I will respond as far as possible to the points raised by the Deputies in their remarks on the Bill. I assure Deputy Breen that there will be leadership, we will stabilise the public finances, we will weather the storm and come through the difficult times. If we take corrective action now we will ensure that Ireland benefits from the upswing when it happens. As the House is...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Referral to Select Committee (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move: That the Bill be referred to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, in accordance with Standing Order 122(1) and paragraph 1(a)(i) of the Orders of Reference of that committee.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In relation to the VAT rate that applies to defibrillators, the position is that under the VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. The zero VAT rate cannot therefore be applied to defibrillators which are subject to the standard rate. In addition, Member...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The bodies which come within the scope of the proposal in respect of the pension funds of certain semi-State Bodies are all in the non-commercial Public Service. The bodies (details supplied) are in the commercial sector and as such do not come within the scope of the proposal.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In 2008 Double Taxation Agreements were signed with Malta, Turkey, Vietnam, Macedonia and Georgia. The ratification of all of these Agreements, with the exception of Georgia, will be concluded on our part with the passing of the Finance (Number 2) Bill. I am not in a position to give precise details of when the other parties to the Agreements will have completed their ratification procedures...

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is proposed to take No. 16, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council framework decision amending Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA on combating terrorism, back from committee; No. 3, Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) (No. 2) Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 27, Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed). It is...

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The reason the Government has not made time available to discuss issues relating to FÁS is that we respect the procedures of this House and of the Committee of Public Accounts, which is our chosen instrument for the investigation of these matters and which is investigating them this morning. It would be highly undesirable to have a parallel debate in this House, when the board members of...

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I accept that there may be divergent views, but the House has procedures and the chosen instrument of this House, namely, the Committee of Public Accounts, is deliberating on these matters today. The board of FÁS met last night to consider the circumstances which led to the resignation of the director general and to see how the organisation can move forward following recent controversies....

Order of Business (27 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The practices are outlined in the rules. I can outline the circulars to the House if the Deputy so wishes. There is a number of circulars that deal with foreign travel, such as Circular 36 of 1971, Circular 11 of 1982, and Circular 31 of March 1998. They deal with foreign travel policy documents, travelling and subsistence regulations. The primary circular governing these matters is the...