Results 7,761-7,780 of 8,015 for speaker:Jonathan O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (19 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 72. To ask the Minister for Finance the way in which he plans to broaden the tax base in a progressive manner further to the criticism of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council of the over-reliance on corporate tax receipts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25550/19]

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Policy and Budgetary Planning: Discussion (19 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: My first question is in regard to the overheating of the economy, which Dr. McDonnell predicted might occur by the end of 2019. First, what areas have the potential to cause that overheating and, second, how do we combat them? All the reports to date that I have seen suggest that the potential for overheating comes from the construction sector, but on the non-domestic side - hotels, office...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Policy and Budgetary Planning: Discussion (19 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I will address corporation tax and the tax base in general. We hear much about our expenditure and how Government is trying to control spending while all of the Opposition parties are seeking more spending. We hear very little on the other side about tax. We hear about widening and broadening our tax base but very little about corporation tax, tax breaks for banks, tax incentives, tax...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Policy and Budgetary Planning: Discussion (19 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I ask Dr. McDonnell to comment too. An argument that is given to those of us who call for the corporation tax holidays to be lifted is that there could be unintended consequences. Are there any of which the witnesses are aware were we to deal with the issue of the banks and the tax breaks they get?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Fiscal Policy and Budgetary Planning: Discussion (19 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: The Chairman might comment on this. The committee has done extensive work-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I am quite happy to let them argue, to be honest.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 2. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if legislative changes are planned to strengthen the Freedom of Information Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25966/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: In light of recent court cases, is the Government planning to propose changes to the existing freedom of information legislation?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I agree that the changes have led to a dramatic increase in the number of freedom of information requests. While the Minister is correct in stating that there has been an increase of approximately 60%, I would like to take issue with the figures he cited when he spoke about requests that are granted. According to information we received in response to parliamentary questions, the percentage...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Freedom of Information Legislation (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: That is correct. We signed off on our Bill yesterday and we look forward to submitting it. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is now denying more requests than it is granting. We are concerned about that trend. The Department received 207 requests last year. Sixty were granted and 67 were refused. We are seeing a gradual trend towards more requests being refused than...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Project Ireland 2040 Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 4. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital projects that will be delayed, deferred or cancelled as a result of capital project overruns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25967/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Project Ireland 2040 Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: I refer again to the capital projects which may or may not be delayed or postponed as a result of the recent decision on the national broadband plan.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Project Ireland 2040 Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: What we are saying, therefore, is that all the projects that have been publicised will go ahead unless there are delays for reasons other than budgetary ones, such as delays in planning or delays associated with a project just not being ready to commence. Based on what the Minister is saying, all the projects announced will go ahead and none will be cut or postponed for budgetary reasons....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Project Ireland 2040 Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: We have to presume all the projects will go ahead and that none will be delayed, for whatever reason. Some may be delayed because of planning issues but we do not know from month to month how delayed a project may be. Does the Minister know? Does he know how much could be re-profiled for next year? My understanding is that no projects are to be cancelled for budgetary reasons. If so, an...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cross-Border Projects (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: The subject matter of Question No. 10 has been flogged to death already so I am happy to allow other Members to contribute.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Development Plan (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 10. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the capital projects that are to be delayed or deferred in the years of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 as a result of cost overruns such as the national children’s hospital and national broadband plan which the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, IFAC, calculate could reduce funding for capital projects by as much as...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Remuneration (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 22. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of the agreement reached in September 2018 on the equalisation of public pay for post-2011 entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25832/19]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: National Broadband Plan Expenditure (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 28. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the assessment of his Department of the national broadband plan, the credibility of its cost-benefit analysis and its value for money to the taxpayer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25834/19]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Freedom of Information Data (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 32. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of freedom of information requests made to his Department and bodies under his aegis that were granted, part-granted and refused in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25831/19]

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Summer Economic Statement (20 Jun 2019)

Jonathan O'Brien: 44. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the revisions which will be made to the expenditure projections in the summer economic statement in view of the recent fiscal assessment report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25833/19]