Results 901-920 of 5,587 for speaker:Kevin Humphreys

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank the Minister for attending this meeting. As time is limited, I will concentrate on the proposed financial transactions tax. Can the Minister briefly take me through how he has formed his position on the proposed tax in advance of this ECOFIN meeting?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: It was provided to the committee as well. I would like to know how the workings of the Clearing House Group contributed to the Minister's consideration of his policy position. The ESRI report weighed heavily on the 1984 Swedish movement to bring in a financial transactions tax. Does the Minister accept that the research done by the ESRI and PricewaterhouseCoopers was very flawed? The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: Things have moved on by quite a distance since then.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: The Minister is going back to 1984. We are talking about a different type of tax. As it is a residency tax, it could actually lose revenue. Transactions could take place here but the tax could be paid in other countries. I do not think we are having that serious debate. I know the Chairman is about to cut me off, so I will ask my other question. This committee has asked for the position...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: It is very different. I pointed out the changes that have happened as times have moved on. I am sure the Minister is aware of them.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: I asked the Minister whether he supports this committee's position.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: The last time I asked the Taoiseach, he spoke about streaming committee meetings so there would be transparency. I am making a much smaller request at this stage. I am calling for the position papers and the minutes to be made available to this committee so we can have transparency about what is happening. The Minister mentioned what was done in Sweden in 1984. That was done on the basis...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Forthcoming ECOFIN Council: Discussion with Minister for Finance (8 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: Does the Minister support the position of this committee in principle?

Tax Transparency Bill 2012: Second Stage [Private Members] (9 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: I thank Deputy Murphy for putting the Bill before the House. I have not been able to follow all of this interesting debate because the finance committee is meeting this morning. Making this type of information available to citizens will enable us to have a proper debate. In recent weeks I have met various groups and individuals regarding the budget. I have talked to them about the size...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: It is interesting that the submission of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul referred to the upskilling of teachers to improve literacy and numeracy. Having worked in education on a voluntary basis, I would have thought upskilling should be part of professional development. Has this become a noticeable issue? Is there are lack of skill in this area or a real need for upskilling? The Irish...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: The points made Ms Joyce and Professor Tierney are well given. Does Ms Joyce think the provision of services is better than a cash payment? Given the scarce resources of the State, is it better to provide services targeted at families at risk rather than making a cash payment? I understand Professor Tierney's point about GPs' costs. However, I find it worrying that regardless of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion with Civic Society Representatives (9 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: Which is it, cash or service?

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Functions (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the delays being experienced within her Department due to the failure to quickly transfer files for appeals when decisions in the negative for entitlements to payments are appealed by a citizen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49989/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Departmental Schemes (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the ongoing delays of over six months in the processing of disability, invalidity and carer's allowance applications and the difficulties it is causing for members of the public who have to live with the uncertainty of the status of their entitlements for up to a year in some cases; the action being taken to address...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: To ask the Minister for Finance if the rule of 78 method of calculating interest regulated is banned here for hire purchase or leasing agreements, loans or mortgages; if he will specify where it can or cannot be used on financial transactions; if he will indicate the legislation and sections therein that regulate this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49798/12]

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Community Employment Schemes (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2 can have their community employment scheme extended for another year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49523/12]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: Under the comprehensive review of expenditure, it was expected that €6.8 million would be raised from the landfill levy. I welcome the fact that 300,000 fewer tonnes of waste will be going to landfill. Is the Minister seeking to make up the shortfall between the €6.8 million referred to in the comprehensive review of expenditure and his estimate of €52 million in...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: I am talking about the specific gap in the figures before 1 July rather than after that date.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: I will not press the Minister on that.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht: 2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 25 - Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (13 Nov 2012)

Kevin Humphreys: The Minister outlined his proposal on the landfill levy and the income to be derived from that was €6.8 million, as set out in the comprehensive expenditure review. The Minister is estimating the figure for this area to be €52 million at this stage. Is there a shortfall between those figures?