Results 9,261-9,280 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Irish VAT law must comply with the EU VAT Directive, which provides that individuals are in general outside the scope of VAT. Essentially only VAT registered persons who charge VAT are able to recover VAT. In addition, in order to register for VAT and thus be entitled to claim VAT deductions, an individual or business must be economically active and the VAT deductions must relate directly...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no connection between the application of the pension-related deduction in any particular case and any guarantee sought by members in respect of their pension. As the Deputy is aware, discussions are in train with the trustees and the administrators of the five older universities, including Trinity College, and certain non-commercial semi-State bodies with a view to providing...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Financial Regulator that AIB is the covered institution with the most significant exposure, at 6.2% of total loans, to central and eastern Europe. This is because it is the only domestic institution with a direct interest in banks in the region. I am also informed that the other covered institutions have minimal exposure, at less than 1% of total loans, in the listed...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under statutory pension schemes and pension schemes approved by the Revenue Commissioners there is no liability to income tax in respect of retirement gratuities or lump sums paid to members of such schemes on retirement. Provided the individuals referred to in the question are members of such a scheme and the lump sum payments comply with Revenue rules in this area, there is no liability to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 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 — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Four statutory instruments have been enacted which affect the scope of the Freedom of Information (Amendment) Act, 2003 as follows: S.I. No. 265 of 2003 extends the right to have personal information amended (which is incorrect, incomplete or misleading), to parents/guardians and specified classes of individuals in respect of minors/incapacitated persons and deceased persons respectively....

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Projections for the position of the Fund in 2009 will be finalised in the preparation of the forthcoming Supplementary Budget. I would however point out that as the Deputy will be aware, the Social Insurance Fund derives its revenue in the first instance from PRSI inflows which are paid direct to the Fund and do not form part of Exchequer receipts (though they would of course be taken into...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the numbers of income earners availing of the one parent family tax credit for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 are estimated at 131,400, 136,700 and 136,600 respectively. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred. The numbers availing of the credit represent income earners who were in a position to absorb at least some of the one parent family...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Policy: Public Procurement Policy (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under the terms of the EU Treaties and relevant Directives, public procurement policy prohibits the use of discriminatory criteria in the award of public works contracts. The inclusion of local labour and unemployment considerations as award criteria would be considered discriminatory. Accordingly such arrangements do not form part of National Public Procurement Policy.

Written Answers — Public Procurement Policy: Public Procurement Policy (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under public procurement rules contracts are awarded on the basis of the lowest priced or the most economically advantageous tender. Economic advantage is assessed on the basis of a number of criteria related to the subject of the contract, for example, quality, technical merit, running costs, after sales service, delivery timeframes, as well, of course, as tendered price. The appropriate...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Information is not collated centrally on a routine basis on the number of direct and indirect jobs that would be created as a result of each capital project under the National Development Plan. However, my Department has recently completed an exercise on the labour intensity of infrastructure investment more broadly. This exercise found that, with a few exceptions, the labour intensity of...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 7 April I will present to the House a supplementary budget which will set out a comprehensive strategy to place the public finances on a sustainable footing for the rest of this year and the years ahead, and to prepare the economy for renewal and revitalisation when international conditions improve. The supplementary budget will build on a sequence of measures deliberately introduced to...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not aware of the position of Mr. Fingleton.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I indicated, I have had a discussion. This is not Question Time. I noted the Deputy's comments yesterday evening. It is important that she notes I had a full discussion yesterday with the two directors appointed to the board of the society at my request and that I raised certain matters with them. These matters will be under consideration by the board of the society later this week and...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am not putting myself in the position of decision maker in this matter. Deputy Burton is well aware of the corporate governance rules that apply.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My concerns have been fully expressed to the relevant directors at Irish Nationwide Building Society. They met me with the consent of the board and will raise these issues with it and report back to me. That is how Ministers should conduct themselves. With regard to the banking system, Deputies should conduct themselves with a degree of restraint in this matter because what is said in the...

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have nothing to apologise for——

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We all know where Deputy Burton stood with regard to the banking system last September. It would not be in place now if the House had followed her advice.

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I stress the Government's commitment to continuing to review the position of the financial system——

Pre-Budget Statements (Resumed) (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——and to protect relevant institutions. In the context of the six-month review of the guarantee scheme to be completed by mid-April, the Government will examine how the scheme might be revised subject to European Commission approval and consistent with EU state aid requirements to achieve a reduction in risk overall, including by supporting longer term bond issuance by the covered...