Results 7,941-7,960 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the Deputy's estimate.

Tax Collection. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Revenue is engaged in an ongoing programme to secure information from third parties that will enable it to grant certain credits and reliefs automatically and, in certain situations, make refunds. The computer system now contains date of birth details and, as a result, age-related credits are now granted automatically. Much is being done regarding area credits.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of the European Commission's assessment of the Irish economy. The assessment represents a reasonable view of the Irish economy and acknowledges the overall strong position of the public finances. The assessment refers to challenges in the "transition to a period of lower economic growth, mainly linked to a return to more sustainable levels of activity in the housing sector"....

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The question relates to the report on the stability and convergence programme and reform of the pension system.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: She broadened it slightly. The Competition Authority exists to ensure anti-competitive practices are exposed and dealt with. If a probe is taking place at the moment we will see what its outcome is as there is always a fear that such fraud may occur, despite the best efforts of the OPW, which works on these matters in good faith. The purpose of these health reforms is to recognise that the...

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to Deputy Bruton's point, obviously I plan my budget on the basis of remaining compliant with the terms of the stability pact. The issue raised is a normal budget day matter. I included a contingency provision of 0.4% of GDP in 2009 and 0.8% of GDP in 2010. The inclusion of a contingency is a prudent way of conducting the public finances. As specified in the budget...

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: No.

Fiscal Policy. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was explaining that the contingency provision in the 2009 figures is something that, perhaps, was not understood. We are in line with our Stability and Growth Pact commitments in that area. I have read the report.

Tax Code. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the amounts of tax revenue collected from mineral oil tax and VAT on motor fuels and other oils for the years 2004 to 2007 are as follows. In summary, in the case of mineral oil tax, or excise duty, a total of approximately €1,963 million was collected in 2004; €2,048 million in 2005; €2,144 million in 2006; and €2,212 million in 2007...

Tax Code. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: This is a technical and statistical question. In regard to the bio-fuels issue, we are firmly committed to the development of bio-fuels generally. In the Finance Act 2006 we provided a significant tax measure to promote bio-fuels and the scheme which received the necessary EU state approval commenced in November 2006. It will provide for excise reliefs of up to 163 million litres per year....

Tax Code. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: On bio-fuels generally, the deflection of grain, for example, in the US and elsewhere to the bio-fuel industry creates its own economics in terms of the food industry and the agri food industry in regard to demand and the cost of supplying raw material to the food industry as a result. Certainly there has been an increase in commodity prices. For European producers that has been against a...

Tax Relief. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the question of under-claiming by tenants of rent relief, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have taken a number of initiatives to encourage taxpayers to claim their full entitlements. Extensive advertising took place in 2006 and 2007 covering the most common tax credits, which specifically included rent relief. There was also a targeted advertising campaign in autumn...

Tax Relief. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in my initial reply, there have been some moves in that respect. Regarding the number availing of rent relief, the figure I have for last year was 215,786.

Tax Relief. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In any event, I can have that checked for the Deputy. It is important to bear in mind that some of those taxpayers who request an end-of-year review of their tax liability prefer to claim the rent relief as part of that process. Accordingly, as there is a four-year rule for requesting such reviews, final figures for the years from 2004 onwards will not be available until that time limit has...

Tax Relief. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I undertake to take up the point raised by the Deputy with Revenue to ascertain its views on it.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: A couple of weeks ago, the House urged the Mahon tribunal to complete its work on the basis of the confidence we had in it to fulfil its mandate. It goes without saying that such confidence is based on the expectation that the tribunal will operate fairly and with full regard to the rights of all relevant parties. It is in the nature of tribunals of inquiry to structure evidence and to...

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The bluster is very much on Deputy Kenny's side of the House in terms of the game he is playing. The game he is trying to play is not only to try to destroy the good name of one individual, but to try to destroy the good name of a whole party——

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——whom he failed to beat on the electoral field on a number of occasions. I see a few of the hyenas are in to make sure I cannot get my point across.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The point I make to the Deputy is simple——

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: We all know that even Deputy Kenny cannot control Deputy Ring.