Results 11,021-11,040 of 11,114 for speaker:Damien English

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (7 Nov 2023)

Damien English: They are two separate arguments.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (7 Nov 2023)

Damien English: The info stages can include analysis of what will happen if we do not do this. The reason we have these credits and incentives is to unlock activity in the first place. Without them it might not happen. I presume there will be some sensitivity analysis about how if we do not do this it might lead to a reduction in the spend, which in my view would not be a good thing.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I will speak to the overall concept of this and then make a number of comments. First, I welcome the changes the Minister is making in respect of the cap. That is a positive for the future of the sector. While everybody here might argue over different parts of it, we all agree with the concept of section 481 and increasing the cap, putting money into film production and trying to encourage...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I just want to say that I welcome the Minister's response to all the points that have been raised. Co-ordination across the Department is key. Apart from the amendments, there has been a good discussion here, with some good outcomes from it to back up the changes contained in the Bill.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I welcome this initiative. It is something that has been called for for a number of years. We can build on it, but it is certainly a great start. We must remind ourselves that we are constantly competing for investment. We have many start-ups and innovative companies with good ideas and projects, and it is not always easy to get the money they need to invest. This initiative will help in...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I want to comment on the same topic with regard to the illicit trade of cigarettes. We were talking about all of the taxes earlier on with regard to the supply of coal. There is an enforcement issue here when we have public policy for the benefit of the health of individuals and families, but also when it comes to climate matters and the aims we have there. As a Government we must look at...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2023)

Damien English: This is not for anyone who falls under the new regulations. This is for those who are outside those, unless I picked the Minister up incorrectly.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2023)

Damien English: The Minister might be able to clear up a mix-up. That would not be the case if the loans were from three lenders. The €335,000 threshold applies where the loans are from one family member. It does not apply where the loans are from two brothers and a sister, for example.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I am sorry. I had misunderstood.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 11 – Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 – Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 – State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 – Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 – National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 43 – Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Supplementary) (22 Nov 2023)

Damien English: It would be nice to hear the answer.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 11 – Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 – Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 – State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 – Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 – National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 43 – Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Supplementary) (22 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I have a few quick observations. The Estimates are fine. We talked much about the flooding. I compliment the OPW and all involved in the response to the weather events over the past couple of months right across the country. I am delighted that the public finances were in order and we could do that. There was no delay in stepping up across a number of Departments to provide support to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 11 – Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Supplementary)
Vote 12 – Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Supplementary)
Vote 13 - Office of Public Works (Supplementary)
Vote 14 – State Laboratory (Supplementary)
Vote 17 – Public Appointments Service (Supplementary)
Vote 18 – National Shared Services Office (Supplementary)
Vote 43 – Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Supplementary) (22 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I raised the matter because taxpayers would like to know that we are not always getting the raw deal that people believe we are. In many cases, the situation is comparable across the board and we face similar challenges. However, that is often left out of the discussion.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Damien English: There were cuts totalling 26% and one of them has been reversed. Is that it then?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Damien English: Is that enough for them?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 2 - Department of the Taoiseach (Supplementary)
Vote 5 - Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Damien English: The Teachtaí generate their own heat.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Supplementary)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Damien English: I have a similar question. We considered this issue on Committee Stage as well. I refer to some of the campaigns in respect of enforcement and catching this activity, and this might not always be the answer, but there certainly does need to be a stronger campaign to prevent or discourage these types of endeavours, which lead to a loss of revenue but also, as a knock-on effect, a loss of...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Supplementary)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Damien English: It is similar regarding the issue of coal. Again, what we are trying to achieve with carbon taxes, and not everyone supports them but their aims are well intentioned in my view, causes the price of coal to go up. We can see it being advertised clearly that pallets of coal are being brought in and sold in the South extremely easily. Carbon taxes have not been paid on this coal and the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Supplementary)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Damien English: Can spending beyond this year still count for the BAR funding?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Supplementary)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (23 Nov 2023)

Damien English: That is fine. I thank the Minister.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 11 – Office of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Revised)
Vote 12 – Superannuation and Retired Allowances (Revised)
Vote 14 – State Laboratory (Revised)
Vote 15 - the Secret Service (Revised)
Vote 17 – Public Appointments Service (Revised)
Vote 18 – National Shared Services Office (Revised)
Vote 19 -the Office of the Ombudsman (Revised)
Vote 39 - Office of Government Procurement (Revised)
Vote 43 – Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (Revised) (31 Jan 2024)

Damien English: Apologies have been received from Deputies Doherty and Matthews. I welcome members and viewers, who may be watching our proceedings on Oireachtas TV, to the public session of the Oireachtas Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or...