Results 1,041-1,060 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Private Partnerships. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: Perhaps the Deputy does not want the roads programme. I forgot that.

Public Private Partnerships. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: Some 600 schools have been built and refurbished since this Government came into office.

Competition Authority Report. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I should perhaps clarify the context in which the recent report was published and the views of interested parties sought thereon. The report published by the Competition Authority last December was one which had been prepared for it by a firm of consultants. While endorsing the analysis in the report, the authority has not yet taken a position on how best to remedy the issues it raises....

Competition Authority Report. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I said in my initial response, the authority has to take positions in this regard. It issued its report for consultation or comment. Upon that process being completed in the next few months, as I understand, we will be in a position to be aware of the final views of the Competition Authority on this matter and how we might respond to it. I made the point generally that the report deserves...

Competition Authority Report. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: In fairness to the Competition Authority, its main findings are that competition does not function well in certain parts of the Irish banking sector and that the market is highly concentrated with two large banks accounting for more than 70% of retail banking market.

Competition Authority Report. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy may have a few personal observations, but the point I am making is in regard to some of the recommendations. I made the point about IFSRA having a strong statutory consumer mandate under the 2003 Act. The existing legislative provisions relating to fees and non-interest bank charges were introduced in the context of concern about the effectiveness of competition between banks and...

Competition Authority Report. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the private banking sector there are commercial considerations that management and boards from to time to time consider. The most recent one related to the Bank of Ireland. I have made my position known, namely, that in the context of social partnership, I hope the legitimate interests of staff are taken into account in regard to these matters. I have no doubt but that the bank's staff...

Competition Authority Report. (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The issue that will drive better value for money in the banking sector is more competition. We have already seen this in the new entrants coming into the market. On face to face banking and the demise of what the Deputy regards as the friendly atmosphere when one goes into a bank to borrow money, and being given it willingly at very benign rates, is not a vision I have from my first visit to...

Written Answers — Capital Expenditure: Capital Expenditure (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: Primary responsibility for managing capital programmes and the evaluation, planning and execution of capital projects on time and in line with budget rests with the Government, Ministers, Departments and the implementing agencies directly concerned. Specific questions about individual projects should be directed to the relevant Ministers. I have, with the approval of the Government, set out...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 50 and 113 together. It was this Government that introduced the minimum wage to protect low paid workers and it was this Government which, over the last eight budgets, removed a record number of about 460,000 workers from the tax net entirely. In addition, from 1 May 2005, when the increased wage takes effect, we will have one of the highest minimum wages in...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The EU Directive 1999/70/EC on fixed term workers was transposed into law as the Protection of Employees (Fixed Term Work) Act 2003 with effect from 14 July 2003. The purpose of the Act, which implements Directive 1999/70/EC of 28 June 1999 concerning the framework agreement on fixed term work concluded by the social partners ETUC, UNICE and CEEP at European level with due transposition date...

Written Answers — Remuneration in the Public Sector: Remuneration in the Public Sector (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The review body on higher remuneration in the public sector is a standing body which makes recommendations to the Government on the remuneration of political office holders, the Judiciary, civil servants from assistant secretary level up, top local authority and health service posts, the commissioner ranks in the Garda Siochána, the general ranks in the Defence Forces, the chief executive...

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The question of the inclusion of uncashed bank drafts in a dormant accounts scheme has been raised in the House over recent years, including during the passage of the Dormant Accounts Act 2001. At that time a sample based estimate suggested that the value of bank drafts in circulation, uncashed for a 15 year period, corresponding to the definition of dormant accounts, might have been in the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government's economic and budgetary strategy is based on pursuing economic growth and full employment as the basis of continued prosperity and enhanced living standards for all. In this regard maintaining and improving Ireland's competitive position is imperative to ensure Ireland continues to grow strongly and remains an attractive location for inward foreign direct investment. We have...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: A special interdepartmental review group has already reviewed the operation of the disabled drivers scheme. The terms of reference of the group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it both on an administrative and user level, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following information provides the up to date position on court prosecutions initiated for tax evasion. In 1997, there was one prosecution initiated for tax evasion. A fine of €635 was imposed with no custodial sentence. In 1998, there were six cases initiated and six convictions secured; fines totalling €42,854 were imposed. There were...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: The 2003 annual report of the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission shows that at 31 December 2003 the market value of the fund was €9,561 million. This included cash deposits of €1,283 million, other net current assets of €36 million, unrealised gains on foreign derivative contracts of €70 million and equities and bonds worth €8,172 million. Of this €8,172 million, €8,099...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I appointed Mr. Finbarr Flood, former chairman of the Labour Court, to the chair of the decentralisation implementation group on 20 April 2005.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 124 together. An opinion has been issued by the Advocate General in the case to which the Deputies refer and this is currently being examined. This opinion is, of course, not binding on the European Court of Justice and the court has yet to come forward with a decision. In advance of that judgment, it is not appropriate to speculate on matters that are...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Apr 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 174 together. The issue of paying family income supplement through the tax system was considered in late 2002 by a working group established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to examine the role which refundable tax credits can play in the tax and welfare system. The group was made up of representatives of the social partners and was...