Results 9,141-9,160 of 36,192 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: It is obviously a matter for the Department. The core point is that the double Irish is something that has been pushed in the past. I acknowledge there have been different opinions from the Opposition, but Sinn Féin and some Independents have been raising the issue in the context of the reputational damage the double Irish has caused. The Minister did not respond to international tax...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: I have tabled amendments on the definition of the active farmer. The Government amendments do not deal with the issue of 50% of the working week. I propose that we define the working week as a 35 hour week, which would mean that the farmer would have to farm for 17.5 hours to avail of the benefits included in the different sections. That is reasonable. Any active farmer would work for...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister referred to an individual's normal working time, which is the phrase contained in different sections of the legislation. That is assumed to be 40 hours, therefore 20 hours would be applicable to the on-farm activity. However, the legislation does not specifically reference 40 hours, although the interpretation and application of this law by Revenue will also refer to the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: I move amendment No. 67: In page 66, between lines 15 and 16, to insert the following: "Report on betting duty 47. The Minister shall, within one month of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on options available for the introduction of a rate of 3 per cent betting duty for online and in-shop bets to be paid by the customer.".We have dealt a number...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: My amendment would not have a negative impact on independent bookmakers across the country but would actually have a positive impact because the amendment is clear that the levy would be placed on the customer rather than the bookmaker. At the moment, all independent bookmakers, large or small, are absorbing a 1% betting duty. They are taking that out of their profits which, as the Minister...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: To clarify, the Minister mentioned that people are betting online rather than betting in bookies' shops. He will see that my amendment states: "a rate of 3 per cent betting duty for online and in-shop bets" which means the rate is across the board. That replicates what is being done in terms of the legislation that has been passed but is being held up in Europe. Detailed discussion and...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: The point is that some of the time has been missed and that the industry has been impacted upon. I accept that the matter was outside of our control.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: Last year, I sought assurances from the Minister that this would be put in place for the autumn races. It is a pity that this did not happen. A non-contentious provision such as this should have just been triggered. We could have passed the relevant legislation in the Dáil and Seanad quite easily and without any real or substantial debate.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: Yes, but this began to affect the industry at the end of September. My point is that when we knew the relevant measure was not going to be put in place, we could have taken action. In any event, that is in the past. I wish to return to the matter of Christmas Day and Good Friday. I do not have very strong views on this either way. There is no restriction on gambling on Christmas Day or...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: I understand the position with regard to Christmas Day. However, it is quite abnormal to shut down businesses on Good Friday. With the exception of pub staff, everyone works on Good Friday. In addition, there are sporting events which take place on that day. The debate on this matter is beginning to evolve. We are dealing with betting duty but the debate has moved on, particularly in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: I agree with the Minister in respect of the particular sentiment on the part of the majority of members of the public. I am not suggesting that I wish to do so but if I wanted to do so, I could not go to my local bookmakers shop to place a bet on a football game taking place on Good Friday. However, I could go to the casino in the town in which I live and play blackjack, roulette, slot...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: Yes, they are.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: If one walks into a casino-----

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: -----in this city or anywhere else, one will be presented with a membership form to complete.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: When does the Minister expect this section to be signed into law?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: The section relates to late night opening for betting shops. When will it be commenced?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: Will it be mid-December?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: I have a question about section 48 which we have disposed of. I refer to the possible monthly deferment of the payment by Revenue. What is the rationale? Tax will be delayed for a year, not lost, but the measure will affect the deficit or budget figures. I ask about the robustness of the legislation to ensure that the type of activity such as diesel laundering is dealt with and clamped...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: I want to return to this point because I am not reassured by what the Minister said. I do not suspect that the Revenue Commissioners are sitting on their hands with information. The Customs official who is the manager for the Border region, Mr. Kelleher, put some very specific information into the public domain. In that interview he referred to 115 rogue fuel stations operating across the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed) (19 Nov 2014)

Pearse Doherty: The reckless trading provision the Minister mentioned brings to mind a case. Obviously, following the supply chain will reveal what is happening. Where somebody would be involved in supplying and informs the Revenue Commissioners of the suspicions that the person who is purchasing is obviously purchasing in quantities greater than required to fill a lawnmower to mow a lawn, what action do...