Results 8,141-8,160 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Written Answers — Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (4 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: My Department and its agencies have implemented or are in the process of implementing measures to reduce their carbon footprint in 2007/08. The Office of Public Works it is currently engaged in a multifaceted strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and the overall carbon footprint of Government occupied buildings, as follows: A state wide staff energy awareness campaign entitled...
- Finance Bill 2008: Financial Resolution (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: I move: That the provisions of section 93 of the Finance Bill 2008, as amended in the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service, which relates to the special scheme for means of transport supplied by taxable dealers, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving effect to this Resolution.
- Finance Bill 2008: Order for Report Stage (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: I move: "That Report Stage be taken now."
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: As stated, this is an issue that was discussed on Committee Stage and during the debates on previous Finance Bills. Some recognition, in fairness, has been given to Revenue's efforts to improve the range of services it provides in order that taxpayers are made aware of their entitlements and assisted in every way possible in obtaining those entitlements. Looking at the list of initiatives to...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: On the basis of this amendment, the case has been made for the establishment of a tax advocate's office by Deputies across the House and I have given a comprehensive reply as to why I am not convinced that would add to the situation in the way people suggest it would. I recognise the proactive and effective efforts of Revenue in terms of access and its ability to deal with the issues and the...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: Did the Deputy not support the Fine Gael proposal?
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: Before the sos, we had a discussion on this amendment similar to that on Committee Stage. All I can say is that the manner in which Deputies characterise the work of the commission, which met for the first time this morning, is very unfortunate. Members are entitled to their views on any individual or what they regard as the orientation or composition of the commission, but attacking its...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: The amendment before us relates to doubling the home carer credit from â¬770 to â¬1,540 in one go. The budget increased it from â¬770 to â¬900 as part of an overall programme for Government commitment. Every year Ministers for Finance make certain choices on taxation and expenditure and overall budgetary parameters. While less than in previous years, the personal tax package, including...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: The argument certainly contained a suggestion that one was less committed to married couples with one earner as a result of this measure. Clearly, if one had a home carer credit, as Deputy Bruton suggested, of â¬1,540 rather than â¬900, it would be of greater benefit. The fact is, however, that the tax package I devised was geared towards the lower end. I have made the point that married...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: I am explaining where the burden of taxation resides. I am making the point that while it would do something, it would not do a whole lot to help the people in question. The suggestion that married couples with one earner are being ignored is not correct. By the same token, there was not a move on the rate of â¬770 since it was introduced in 2000. The issue was discussed in the debate on...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: While I do not wish to deviate beyond the parameters of the Finance Bill, I will not take lectures on social conscience from the Deputy, given his support for past atrocities.
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy should try to avoid that temptation. He should respect the incumbent rather than playing that game. I do not regard it as flattery. Others had smart-ass comments to make about it.
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: I know that.
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: No problem. The personal tax credits available to couples with dependent children depend on their marital status and income. They range from one single tax credit for a one-income cohabiting couple to the equivalent of four single tax credits for a separated or divorced married couple, or a former cohabiting couple, each with income. The situation where up to four single credits are...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: In the last seven years we have seen an increasing population with the changes we have had. I do not suggest for one moment that it is all down to the tax system. There are social phenomena and societal values at play which go way beyond the tax code. Drawing conclusions from one point to another may not be a very sound method by which to devise tax policy. We are trying to make things...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: I did not say that.
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: Section 6 of the Finance Bill implements the budget announcement to improve the level of rent relief and the section amends section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which grants relief to taxpayers for rent paid in respect of private rented accommodation which is their sole or main residence. The changes I am introducing will introduce an amount of relief due to all categories as...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: The Green Paper has begun a debate on the options we should take in regard to a whole range of pension-related issues. We should avoid deciding what to do in a piecemeal fashion. It would be better to do this in an integrated and planned way. That is what the Government, in conjunction with the social partners, wants to do. The Deputy raised some important but complex issues which need to...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: I am not opposed to that general approach. I do not understand why certain categories are denied choice, particularly if others have it. I understand the logic of the Deputy's argument. Reforms will be required in order to make pension provision more attractive. Too often the question is asked as to why more people on lower incomes are not involved with pension schemes. The answer is...
- Finance Bill 2008: Report Stage (Resumed) (5 Mar 2008)
Brian Cowen: There is a lot we can do this year and in the coming years.