Results 10,621-10,640 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move amendment No. 1: In page 4, before section 3, to insert the following new section: 3.---(1) Where a member of the Oireachtas is entitled to--- (a) payments for travelling facilities prescribed under section 5 (as amended by section 18 of the Act of 1998) of the Act of 1964 and granted under section 2 of the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) Act 1938, (b) the overnight allowance under...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the reference to retrospective effect is a standard provision in enabling provisions of this type. On the issue of the point of substance raised, it has always been the position that the Minister draws up the regulations relating to expenses on the advice of the commission. That is the statutory template. There is, therefore, no question of interference with the autonomy...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On which sections did Deputy O'Donnell require clarification?

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The section relates to the existing legislative provisions. There are already sections in legislation providing for all of these matters such as the payment for travelling facilities, overnight allowances, telephones, miscellaneous expenses, constituency office and constituency travel. Each of those has a distinct statutory existence. The first sub-section enables me to make a regulation...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The requirement that it follows the advice of the Oireachtas Commission is contained in the primary Oireachtas Commission legislation, which binds me. I hope that clarifies the point.

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy Burton ranged far beyond some of the issues raised in the amendment. I agree with her point that the presentation of the expenses is often very unfair because a Deputy who lives a long way from the House is highlighted as the typical expense collector, and while the general Deputy expenses are published, the ministerial ones are not. As the Deputy spoke I was reminded of a former...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Commission has raised this issue. There is a wide variety of arrangements for constituency offices. It would be impossible in my constituency to have a main street office whereas in many provincial constituencies it is possible to rent property on a main street. In my constituency only a back office arrangement is possible because a front office would be too expensive. One would need...

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move amendment No. 2: In page 8, subsection (2), line 17, to delete "section 2" and substitute "sections 2 and 3".

Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009 [Seanad]: Committee Stage and Remaining Stages (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move amendment No. 3: In page 3, line 11, after "SALARIES" to insert "AND ALLOWANCES".

Written Answers — EU Treaties: EU Treaties (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The conditions for participation in the euro area are defined in the Treaty and are part of the common legal framework. The criteria defined by the Treaty for adopting the euro are essential to ensure a high degree of sustainable convergence for countries entering the euro area. In the run-up to potential euro adoption, EU member states stand to benefit from a policy strategy focused on...

Written Answers — Customs Service: Customs Service (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a decision on whether or not to search private aircraft at Ireland West Airport Knock is taken following profiling, review of intelligence and interview with the crew/passengers. In line with best practice in customs administration worldwide, Revenue regards the development of information and intelligence as critical to the detection of evasion...

Written Answers — Customs Service: Customs Service (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, although there are no full time Customs staff assigned to Ireland West Airport Knock, attendance is risk based and undertaken by mobile Customs enforcement staff from other nearby locations. Attendance by Customs officers is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and evaluation of national and international seizure trends, traffic...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While PRSI primarily relates to income derived from insurable employment or self-employment, significant progress has been made over the years in expanding the scope of the social insurance system. As the Deputy is aware, at present, self employed contributors pay PRSI on rental income. In addition while employed contributors are not generally subject to PRSI on investment income and rental...

Written Answers — Betting Industry: Betting Industry (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 115 together. Bookmaking and the operation of bookmaking offices are regulated in accordance with the Betting Act 1931, as amended. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that detailed information is not available concerning the number of investigations undertaken for breaches of the Betting Act. The numbers of convictions in respect of offences...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position in relation to Child Benefit is as set out in my Supplementary Budget on 7 April 2009. The Government does not believe that it is fair to pay the same level of benefit irrespective of the level of income of the recipient. In times of scarce resources the Government believes support should be targeted at those most in need. My Department, together with the Department of Social and...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent year for which final information is available on the cost to the Exchequer, and the numbers of taxpayers availing, of tax relief for health expenses is the income tax year 2006. These figures are contained in the following table. Health Expenses Relief Year Estimated cost to the Exchequer €m Estimated numbers availing 2002...

Written Answers — Faoiseamh Cánach: Faoiseamh Cánach (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Tá faoiseamh cánach ar fáil faoi alt 476 den Acht Comhdhlúite Cánacha 1997 i gcás táillí a íocann daoine ar chúrsaí oiliúna sa teicneolaíocht faisnéise agus i dteangacha eachtracha. Caithfidh na cúrsaí oiliúna, a fhéadfaidh maireachtáil suas go dtí dhá bhliain, bheith faofa ag FÁS. Tá an faoiseamh cánach, a thugtar ar an ráta caighdeánach cánach, ar fáil do...

Written Answers — Stádas na Gaeilge: Stádas na Gaeilge (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Is cinneadh don bhanc féin é an chaoi a gcuireann aon institiúid a seirbhísí ar fail. Tugaim faoi deara, áfach, go bhfuil rogha Gaeilge curtha ar fáil ar uathmheaisíní ar iarratas ó chustaiméirí ag an institiúid dar thagair an Teachta. Ba mhaith liom a rá go bhfáiltím i gcónaí roimh thionscnaimh ó chomhlachtaí corpartha a chuireann an teanga náisiúnta chun cinn.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are no staff employed by my Department in Co. Louth. However, I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the following staff numbers are employed as of 1 July (full time equivalents) and shown in the following table: Location Permanent Temporary Sub-totals Dundalk 243.47 2 245.47 Drogheda 5.2 0 5.2 Greenore 1.55 0 1.55 Totals 250.52 2 252.22 The OPW has indicated that it is...

Written Answers — Public Service Review: Public Service Review (9 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the commencement of its work, the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes requested all Departments to prepare evaluation papers outlining potential areas for savings in staff numbers and expenditure. Such papers were prepared in respect of the Finance Group of Votes. The Special Group met the Secretary General of the Department of Finance, Chairman of the...