Results 9,441-9,460 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy when referring to 'deposits' means the total covered liabilities guaranteed by the Government. Under the terms of the Scheme covered liabilities include: senior unsecured debt; asset covered securities; dated subordinated debt (Lower Tier 2); along with deposits (retail, corporate, and interbank). The estimated total amount of covered liabilities under the scheme for the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the work of the Commission on Taxation which was established in 2008 to review the structure, efficiency and appropriateness of the Irish taxation system. The Commission is requested to report on the results of its examination and consideration and to make such recommendations as, and when, it thinks fit to the Minister for Finance but not later than...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Cohabitating couples are expressly recognised for the purpose of social welfare law but are not recognised for the purposes of income tax law. Although this may appear contradictory, the main aim of both the welfare code and the tax code is to uphold the constitutional right of married couples not to be treated less favourably than unmarried couples. The basis for the current tax treatment...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are 2 limited companies with agreements for the provision of the dedicated full time services of a single individual to my Department. The services of (i) an Analyst Programmer Contractor, and (ii) a Senior Technical Service Administrator Contractor are provided under these agreements. With regard to Offices under the aegis of my Department, I have been advised that the Valuation...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government have been very concerned that an unfavourable image of Ireland was being created abroad by media coverage. I was given an opportunity to speak to the newspaper the Deputy refers to on St. Patrick's Day which I took to put across a more balanced message. This appeared to me to be appropriate in the circumstances.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Valuation Act, 2001 defines a "community hall" as a hall or a similar building, which is used exclusively as a community hall and which— (a) is not used primarily for profit or gain, and (b) is occupied by a person who ordinarily uses it or permits it to be used, for purposes which involve the participation by inhabitants of the locality generally, and are recreational or otherwise of a...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Anglo Irish Bank is being run on arms length commercial basis. The Board of Anglo is currently preparing a comprehensive business plan which will be required to demonstrate how the Board will oversee the continued commercial operation of the bank in the best interests of the bank and the Exchequer as shareholders. The Board will formulate the strategic objectives of the bank, in the context...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The denomination sequence of the euro currency was proposed by an EU Working Group as part of the preparations for the introduction of the new currency. The agreed sequence is 1:2:5 and this corresponds to the sequence we used in the Irish Pound currency. There are no plans to introduce a €30 bank note and it is not my intention to make a case to the ECB calling for the introduction of...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the solicitor acting on behalf of the person has replied to the queries raised relating to the application for the refund of stamp duty. The solicitor has been informed that the refund has now been approved and will issue shortly.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am conscious of the decline in new car sales in Ireland and internationally due to the contraction in economic activity. I and officials in my Department have met with representatives of the motor industry, where they have put forward various proposals, including the introduction of a car scrappage scheme. Any such proposal will be considered in the context of the forthcoming...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. I am conscious of the decline in the motor industry in Ireland and internationally due to the contraction in economic activity. I and my officials have had meetings with representatives of the motor industry on the matter. In the case of second-hand cars a special VAT scheme is in place in Ireland. This special scheme was introduced...

Written Answers — Pension Levy: Pension Levy (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions 151, 153, 154 and 170 together. Public servants who are members of public service pension schemes are liable to pay the pension-related deduction legislated for in the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009. On this basis, third-level researchers on fixed-term and temporary contracts must pay the deduction, since they are members of the...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The terms of the guarantee provided to covered institutions are set out in the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme 2008, approved by the European Commission on 13 October, 2008, enacted by the Oireachtas on 17 October, 2008 under Section 6 of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008. Individual credit institutions became members of the scheme by executing a Guarantee...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The most recent year for which the necessary detailed information is available on the cost of tax relief for tuition fees is the income tax year 2005. The cost to the Exchequer is estimated at approximately €14.3 million and the number who availed of it was 29,900. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the other information sought by the Deputy is not available. A married...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Both the Minister for Finance and the Department of Finance have received a wide range of correspondence and reports from the Central Bank over the past nine years. The same applies to the Financial Regulator since it was established in May 2003. Allegations of overcharging have been made against various financial institutions over that period and were investigated by the Central Bank or...

Written Answers — Pension Levy: Pension Levy (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy Wall has provided details of an individual but he will appreciate that I cannot comment on any particular case. I am fully aware of people's concerns following the introduction of the pension-related deduction. However, the key objective is the realisation of the savings needed from the public service pay bill, given the severe economic and budgetary circumstances we face. The...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Payment Services Directive (PSD) provides the necessary legal framework to support the development of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA), a major payments industry initiative aimed at eliminating any remaining difference between domestic and cross-border payments within the eurozone. This Directive comes into effect on 1 November 2009 and my Department is currently working on draft...

Written Answers — Pension Levy: Pension Levy (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The pension-related deduction applies in respect of emoluments to which Chapter 4 of Part 42 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 applies and which are payable to public servants in respect of their services as such. As the representational payment is fully taxable and subject to that Chapter, the pension-related deduction applies to that payment. There is, therefore, no anomaly to address.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As a matter of policy, the Freedom of Information Act has not been extended to commercial State bodies for reasons associated with the need for such bodies to compete commercially. Commercial State bodies operate in a different environment to non-commercial State bodies. To bring a commercial State body under the Freedom of Information Act while other companies in the same sector remain...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: When a particular stamp duty relief for first-time purchasers was introduced into the tax code in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2000, the relief was also extended to spouses in certain circumstances, who, as a result of a judicial separation or divorce, left the family home to their other spouse and did not have an interest in any other property. As unmarried cohabiting couples cannot benefit from...