Results 10,101-10,120 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (9 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that PAYE Balancing Statements P21 for the years 2004 to 2007 inclusive issued to the person concerned in April 2008 and that all refunds due have been made. In relation to the tax year 2008 the person concerned paid no tax.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (9 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This query is similar to Parliamentary Question No. 125, [21099/09] submitted by the Deputy, to which I replied on 26 May last. The income levy applies to all emoluments of an employment including perquisites and taxable benefits-in kind. The income levy liability is calculated before any relief, allowance or credits which may be due under the income tax code. As previously stated, the...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (9 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government decision on the moratorium on recruitment is not a complete embargo on the filling of all posts in the Civil Service. It allows me, as Minister for Finance, to sanction the filling of vacancies where the business case for continuity of service so requires. Having considered issues arising in connection with a Supreme Court case concerning the translation of statutory...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (9 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant information available to May 2009 indicates that some 30,000 individual income earners have declared income from the operation of taxi-cabs, chauffeur-driven hire cars and analogous activity. Other individuals on tax records may also have income from the same activity but are not so identified in the statistics as the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The results of Friday last's elections have been very good for the parties opposite and I congratulate them on their success. I especially congratulate Deputy Kenny on his success in rebuilding his party after seven years in a political wilderness. It is a political achievement, but it is important to remind ourselves that the questions before the electorate on Friday last were the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy Bruton proposes cuts, we agree and subsequently introduce those cuts, and they, in turn, are opposed by two of his party colleagues

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is a farce and it gives the lie to the notion that in most cases, the Opposition wants to do anything other than make political hay out of this economic crisis. Fine, if that is what they want to do, do it but please be honest enough to admit it. In the last year, the Government introduced a fiscal correction of over €8 billion, that is, approximately 5% of GDP. No other country in...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The journey continues as we will take the necessary decisions to bring sustainability to the public finances. That is the challenge that would face any party in Government to bring the General Government Balance to the requisite requirement of the Stability and Growth Pact. This approach has received the approval of the European Commission and we have seen visible public support from the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----fuels misinformation about the economy and makes it more difficult and costly for Ireland to fund itself in international financial markets. The country is not bankrupt. We have a flexible and resilient economy that is adjusting rapidly to the new economic circumstances. We have world-class, modern export industries built in a low tax, pro-enterprise business environment that the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This regaining of competitiveness depends on decisions being taken by the Government. We have begun the process of making those decisions, many of which were fought tooth and nail in the House by the parties opposite. What this debate has underscored is that it is not Ireland, but the Opposition parties which are bankrupt of ideas-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----about how to progress the country out of this grave economic crisis.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The last two days have shown that the Opposition prefers to hide behind empty rhetoric-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Opposition Members are superb rhetoricians, for which I give them credit. Deputy Howlin is one of the ablest, but it is rhetoric, smoke and mirrors.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is not the practical decision making that must be followed to ensure the country progresses. The Government has not shied away from taking difficult decisions.

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We will protect the economy and position the country to benefit from the global economic upturn when it eventually occurs. These decisions have not been popular, but they are unavoidable. We will continue to take actions to restore order and sustainability to the public finances. We are determined not to repeat the policy mistakes of the 1980s when successive Governments postponed taking...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We carried out four budgetary adjustments because we needed to address the difficulties as they emerged. It is what the country needed. It did not need postponement or endless analysis and rhetoric. It required decisions which is what the Government took. Last July the various adjustments laid the foundations which were built upon with subsequent measures. That programme has the backing...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The scope for further income tax increases is limited if we are not to dampen recovery; therefore, the bulk of the future budgetary adjustment will need to fall on the expenditure side. This task will not be easy, but the Government will not shirk its responsibilities. Sound public finances will provide the backdrop for renewed export-led growth in the economy. As we regain international...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Today the International Monetary Fund reiterated in its review of the euro area economy that economic recovery would not happen unless decisive actions were taken to stabilise and revitalise the banking system. We have taken those actions, sometimes with the support of the main Opposition party, with the relentless opposition of the Labour Party, the members of which want to say out of the...

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are borrowing money to meet day-to-day expenses. Everyone who has been advised by the Labour Party and its satellites on the far left that he or she is subsidising the banks should be informed-----

Confidence in Government: Motion (resumed) (10 Jun 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----that we are borrowing to pay for basic public salaries.