Results 8,961-8,980 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister has no function in setting interest rates. His function is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector, with a particular focus on the consumer. The choice of mortgage product ultimately rests with the consumer in light of the terms and conditions that their lending institution offers. The decision of borrowers is...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 836 of the Taxes Consolidation Act provides for a tax deduction under section 114 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 in respect of the cost of maintaining a second residence where, arising out of the performance of his or her duties, a Minister or a Minister of State holder is obliged to maintain that second residence in addition to his or her main residence. I am informed by the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are already measures in place in the tax code in respect of contractors. The Tax Clearance Certificate scheme ensures that persons (residents and non-residents) who derive an economic benefit from a licence/permit to conduct certain activities in the State, and/or receive contracts or payments from the State are in compliance with their tax obligations. Relevant Contract Tax applies...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 35 of the Credit Union Act, 1997, as amended, sets out the limits that credit unions must comply with in respect of the total amount of loans advanced for periods exceeding 5 years and 10 years. These limits were increased by Statutory Instrument in 2007, following consultation with credit union stakeholders. Section 35 was also amended in 2007 by way of Section 17 of the Markets in...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a spouse is not a dependent person for the purpose of claiming the Home Carer's Tax Credit. Accordingly the person in question does not qualify for the relief.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 to 134, inclusive, together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the restriction of the rent credit of a taxpayer arising from the tax residency status of their landlord is applied only where the taxpayer indicates that the landlord is non-resident. I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in 2008, tax credits were restricted in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Section 196A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (inserted by section 12 of the Finance Act 2005), provides that where any allowance to, or emoluments of, an officer of the State are certified by the Minister for Finance, having consulted with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, or with such Minister of the Government as the Minister for Finance considers appropriate in the circumstances, to...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the period in question my Department has not sent material abroad for printing. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their policy on handling printing work is as follows. Where feasible, printing is carried on in-house by the Revenue Printing Centre. If the Revenue Printing Centre cannot carry out a particular job an order will be placed through the Government Supplies Agency...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware a very limited number of increases were recommended by the last Benchmarking Body. The Principal Officer grade in the civil service was to receive a 1.1% increase. There are no plans to pay this increase.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE), assisted by members of the Garda Fraud Squad, is investigating matters at Anglo Irish Bank and has carried out a search at the offices of the bank. As the Deputy will be further aware, the Government does not intervene in investigations by the ODCE and/or the Garda Síochána. The Government has always...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are 26 Dáil Deputies currently in receipt of a ministerial pension. The names of former Ministers in receipt of ministerial pensions are contained in Statement 1.4 of the Finance Accounts which is published annually. The latest published accounts are for the year 2007.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Regulator's Consumer Protection Code (Chapter 3: Banking Products & Services) specifies the following requirements with respect to changes in interest rates: A credit institution must ensure that when it announces a change in interest rates, the notification states clearly the date from which the changes will apply. Where a credit institution changes the interest rate on...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the situation whereby penalties are imposed on customers with loans repayable at a fixed rate of interest who switch to variable rates. The choice of mortgage product ultimately rests with the consumer in light of the terms and conditions that their lending institution offers. The decision of borrowers is influenced by factors such as their...

Written Answers — Public Service Pension Levy: Public Service Pension Levy (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 76 and 77 together. With regard to temporary or fixed-term workers, the public service pension related deduction applies to any person who is a public servant on 1 March 2009 or is appointed to the public service after that date and who is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme or receives a payment in lieu of...

Written Answers — Public Service Pension Levy: Public Service Pension Levy (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together. The public service pension related deduction applies to any person who is a public servant on 1 March 2009 or is appointed to the public service after that date, is a member of a public service pension scheme, is entitled to a benefit under such a scheme or receives a payment in lieu of membership in such a scheme. The definition of a...

Written Answers — Public Service Pension Levy: Public Service Pension Levy (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The approach to this deduction is that it applies generally given the fact that all public servants enjoy the benefits of a public service pension which provides for greater security and more favourable terms than the generality of private sector pensions. The question of whether a person is in receipt of a medical card is not relevant. The graduated approach to the payment is to ameliorate...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The matter raised by the Deputy relates to the issue of Bogus Non-Resident accounts which were used by Irish residents to avoid a liability to DIRT. This tax did not apply to bona fide non-resident accounts and by seeking to simply apply a foreign address to an account it was sought to have these accounts designated as non-resident and thereby avoid the liability to DIRT. However, as the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I announced in Budget 2009 that the betting duty would be increased from 1 to 2%. Subsequently, I met a wide range of representatives from the betting industry where the problems faced by the sector, including those arising from the Budgetary changes, were discussed. The Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 provides that the betting duty rate will be increased from 1% to 2% on 1 May 2009. The Act also...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the person in question has not been issued with a Tax Clearance Certificate because, after late filing of his 2007 return, he now has an unpaid tax liability for 2007. He applied for a Tax Clearance Certificate on 12 January 2009 and he was informed that it could not be granted because he had not filed his 2007 Income Tax return (which was due...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Feb 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the time available, I am unable to provide the information requested by the Deputy. However, I am arranging for the information to be provided as soon as possible.