Results 7,921-7,940 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The European Commission gave a very balanced view of where the Irish economy is going and the downside risks mentioned in my budget were replicated in its assessment. Regarding the building industry, it is clear we are adjusting to a more sustainable rate of growth having sought to meet an economic demand that exceeded supply. In the adjustment process, we have been able to put in place...

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not know how this could be "churning out" stuff. I seek to defend myself and the Government's position from what I regard in some cases as the talking down of the economy. Notwithstanding that my Budget Statement mentioned the serious challenges facing the economy, anyone who knows anything about the economy knows this to be the case.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fiscal and budgetary stance I adopted relates to trying to manage our way through the issue. We are putting in place a capital programme and decelerating the increase of current expenditure this year, which will be a progressive measure.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The criticism I am receiving from the left and the Deputy is that the budget is too expansionist.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In every constituency, all of the Deputy's colleagues decry the fact we are not expanding services fast enough.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: These are the realities. While the Deputy states that it is all about waste, Members ask why there are not more nurses or why the health service is not getting more money. The Deputy is playing the double game as usual. The policy bankruptcy is on the Deputy's side of the House. Until he gets agreement——

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I listened to you and, when I respond, you want to shout me down. It is the same old game. Does Mr. Flannery have Fine Gael on this sort of message?

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will do so if people are prepared to listen.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, as I know his is not an easy job.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will be succinct. Until the Deputy has buy-in from his backbenchers on Fine Gael's fiscal and economic policy and until we see it resonating in the local newspapers——

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Compared to statements made in the House, Deputies have different positions at local level. This is the truth of it.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputies are giving out every day of the week down there.

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have made the point a number of times that Revenue can only allow tax credits and reliefs on the basis of the information known to it. There is no accurate method to estimate the amount of unclaimed taxes. The Revenue Commissioners have been making every effort to ensure that all taxpayers are fully aware of their entitlements. The self-employed must fill in an annual return form on...

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Revenue is proactive in this matter. On Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, we outlined the extent to which the ongoing campaign has been improved and enhanced. In the House, credit was given to Revenue for its work in this regard. It may even have been mentioned in a constructive manner on Committee Stage.

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not.

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Revenue has undertaken several major initiatives, including an intensive high-profile campaign during August, September and October of 2006 involving advertisements on radio and in bus shelters, the DART and Luas encouraging taxpayers to claim their tax credits and reliefs. During the summer and early autumn, a leaflet giving details of how to access and use Revenue's self-service Internet...

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I said in my earlier reply, a further publicity campaign is planned.

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Now that they are being issued further publicity is planned.

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is free to ask questions and it is fine if he does not like the answers but progress is being made, activities are going on and people are not unmindful of the efforts that must be made in this area.

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: People claim their entitlements. There are also arrangements on tax relief at source where mortgage relief and medical insurance relief are provided at source through the taxpayer obtaining a reduction in repayments or premiums equivalent to the tax relief. Recurring reliefs, such as those for trade union subscriptions or bin charges, once claimed are allowed on an ongoing basis and...