Results 1,001-1,020 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Decentralisation Programme. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I outlined in answers to similar questions on 3 March 2005, promotion and recruitment are key elements of the Government's decentralisation programme and I refer Deputies to my earlier reply which set out the general position on this matter. In keeping with the recommendations of the decentralisation implementation group, recruitment and promotion practices and procedures must be revised....

Decentralisation Programme. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I outlined the position in my first reply. We are committed to implementing the decentralisation programme but recognise the range of concerns among staff members affected by the programme, namely, those who have already chosen to spend their careers working in provincial locations, those who wish to do so in the future and those who wish to remain in Dublin. We are working to reach an...

Decentralisation Programme. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is not what I am saying and I have given two replies to the contrary.

Decentralisation Programme. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have not. I said that imposed solutions, by their nature, are measures of last resort and are rarely as effective as agreements reached on the basis of goodwill and compromise.

Decentralisation Programme. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am not responsible for what is printed in the media, which is where the Deputy gets his information. I am stating the facts. Discussions are ongoing and there is a good partnership relationship with Civil Service industrial relations. These discussions are continuing and I am confident we can reach a negotiated solution.

Decentralisation Programme. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am here to answer questions about what I am doing. I am continuing discussions with the Civil Service unions and am confident we can find the basis of a resolution through negotiation. Anything the Deputy says to the contrary does not represent a factual position.

Tax Code. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: Taxpayer confidentiality requires that a Minister for Finance does not answer a parliamentary question about the tax affairs of an individual or company, other than when the Deputy is asking the question on behalf of the individual or company. I regret I cannot comment on the tax affairs of any taxpayer. However, by way of general comment, the Revenue Commissioners inform me that the question...

Tax Code. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The remittance basis is one of the oldest reliefs found in tax law and obviously has a wider application than the specific case raised by the Deputy. Questions regarding employment law etc. are matters best directed to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment who can give a detailed reply and has already done so through the parliamentary question system since the matter first came...

Tax Code. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: Obviously everybody is concerned at what they have learnt about this matter since the latest issues were brought to our attention earlier this year. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment responded immediately with the labour inspectorate report which is now the subject of High Court proceedings as the Deputy will be aware. As soon as the Revenue Commissioners have an opportunity...

Revenue Investigations. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the current focus of their investigation is into undisclosed taxable sums invested in life assurance products and, in the first phase, to encourage as many taxpayers as possible to avail of the voluntary disclosure scheme which was announced on 11 April 2005. Following the voluntary phase of the investigation, Revenue will take steps to identify...

Revenue Investigations. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the Finance Act 2005 we widened the Revenue powers regarding aiding and abetting offences which seeks to deal with the situation the Deputy has outlined should there be a requirement to do so. Rather than the assertions made by the Deputy, should evidence be found to that effect, the Revenue Commissioners now have powers which they previously lacked to deal with those matters. The...

Revenue Investigations. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: This matter has only come to Revenue's attention in recent times.

Revenue Investigations. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners have very successfully dealt with some legacy issues going back many years encompassing a sum of almost €1.7 billion. This particular issue has now come to their attention. I again emphasise that individual taxpayers are personally responsible. If one has undisclosed taxable income, one is personally responsible for it. I have also pointed out that unlike...

Revenue Investigations. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: One person's sitting duck is another person's tax evader.

Revenue Investigations. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy can have the answer, unless he wants to continue talking.

Revenue Investigations. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners advise me that in line with best practice elsewhere, they increasingly apply a risk focus to their operational activities. In this instance, their research indicates that the tax risk is largely related to the higher value policies. As a result, their initial focus is on investments which in aggregate exceed €20,000. The people who had small amounts to whom the...

Budgetary Procedures. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am currently examining proposals for change that could be implemented in the short and medium term. Any changes to current practices would need to meet best practice, improve both the quality of debate and the data available to the House on the budget, meet our obligations to the EU and be capable of being delivered within the existing budget timetable. I will discuss the possibilities for...

Budgetary Procedures. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: As things stand, these matters are part of the deliberative process. The Government must approve them before I can discuss them with anyone else. This is the reason I am not in a position to go into any great detail. The Government is considering a number of options. As I indicated on budget day, there is room for improvement to the process of budget policy formation. We need a constructive...

Budgetary Procedures. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I must protest in the strongest possible terms. This is an outrageous slander on my character.

Budgetary Procedures. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: During his career, Deputy Paul McGrath may discover that there are certain privileges and discretions which a Taoiseach enjoys but which a Minister does not. My proposals simply aim to improve, in practical terms, participation in or contributions to the budgetary process by other Members. No Minister for Finance would transfer control of the budgetary process to an Opposition, even one that...