Results 11,061-11,080 of 32,864 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Capital Expenditure Programme Publication (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: In Budget 2018, I announced the Government's capital spending plans for the next four years. I also set out the intention, as already announced, that the Government will publish a new 10-year capital plan alongside the proposed new National Planning Framework (NPF) for spatial policy detailed in the Ireland 2040 Plan. As the Deputy will be aware, Government has allocated a...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Community Employment Schemes Supervisors (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: In considering the particular matter regarding entitlements for community service supervisors, regard must be had to the costs and precedent of such an arrangement were one to be created. A scoping exercise is currently being finalised by officials in this Department and should be completed later this year. Due to unforeseen circumstances, it was necessary to postpone the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Procurement Regulations (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The OGP and its partner sector sourcing organisations in Health, Education, Local Government and Defence have enabled procurement savings estimated at €300 million over 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The 2017 savings outturn has not been finalised but the target for 2017 was between €80 and €100 million and current indications are that this will be achieved. The OGP...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together. Public Service Reform was a central element of the response to the challenges of recent years and remains an essential part of building for the future. We must build on progress made in recent years and maintain and renew our focus on Public Service Reform. It is essential that targeted recruitment and investment in public services is done...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Staff Recruitment (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, in my role as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have overarching responsibility for workforce planning in and recruitment to the Civil Service. In Budget 2015, it was announced that there will be a targeted programme of recruitment into the Civil Service to address service needs and a shortfall in key skills commencing in late...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Public Sector Reform Implementation (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 77, 79 and 80 together. Effective management of expenditure has been a key contributor towards putting Ireland’s public finances back on a sustainable footing. On an on ongoing basis, managing the delivery of public services within budgetary allocations is a key responsibility of each Minister and their Departments. Important measures are in place to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Loss relief is a standard feature of corporate tax regimes worldwide. Under the Irish corporate tax regime, losses incurred in the course of a business are allowed to be taken into account in calculating the appropriate amount of tax due by companies. Loss relief recognises the fact that business cycles run over a longer period than just a single year and that it would be inequitable to tax...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: At this point in time I am referring to the bank levy, for now. On the second question, I will ask my Department to prepare a paper laying out the consequences of such a course of action. However, I wish to make it clear that the policy outlook I will adhere to is the maintenance of the bank levy. I believe that is the best course of action open to me at present to allow me to realise...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: It is important to acknowledge that there is a difference between these two amendments, even though they are being grouped together. Deputy Doherty's perspective is interesting because he is saying that before I supply the information, he has already decided the policy outcome.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: That is not what Deputy Doherty said.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Deputy Doherty said a moment ago that he has decided what the policy outcome is on the basis of his views and the information available to him, including his engagement with a single bank. I have other considerations to bear in mind as well apart from the view of a particular bank. Given Deputy Doherty's understandable focus – it is one I share – in trying to have evidence,...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I will make two points in response to Deputy Burton. We have debated this before. I have exchanged views on the matter with the other Deputies here this morning. The banks to which the Deputy is referring and that are the subject of this debate are banks in which the Irish taxpayer has an investment or equity of between €11 billion and €11.5 billion, as she well knows. One...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: Section 110 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 sets out the Irish regime for the taxation of special purpose companies set up to securitise assets. The tax provisions are intended to create a tax neutral regime for securitisation and structured finance purposes. Loan originations involve a section 110 company fronting for a foreign bank and either lending directly to larger more...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The reason loan origination is being dealt with in a different way to property is that Ireland in both its domestic legislation and double tax treaties maintains the right to tax land in the State. Loans which derive their value from land in the State are an interest in land, so we also maintain the right to tax profits associated with these loans. We do not maintain the same taxing rights...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I have answered the question. I am not answering a question that relates to an individual company. It would not be appropriate for me to do so. I am answering the question generally. In Irish legislation, as it stands, and our double taxation treaties, which we have with many countries, we maintain the right to tax land differently to how we tax loans and other forms of activity. That is...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy is basing his argument on a particular company. I am not doubting the bona fides of the figures he is putting forward but I am not in a position to comment on them. I have explained to the Deputy the general reasons for the approach we take. It is a long-standing approach which is enshrined in our tax legislation and our double taxation treaties and, at this point in time, I am...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: We are indeed taking decisions on these matters and implementing them. I am well aware of the consequences of the growing public debate over the international and domestic taxation of massive companies. I am also well aware of the legitimacy challenges that this poses for individual taxpayers and of the consequences for our national reputation. As one might expect given the gravity of the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: If I was to participate in anything which had the immediate effect of risking the loss of Irish jobs, the first party that would condemn me would be Sinn Féin. Deputy Pearse Doherty spoke about my responsibilities. I have outlined the responsibilities I have and which Deputy Michael Noonan had before me. I have to ensure we change the tax code in a way that is compliant and consistent...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: That is the phrase the Deputy used.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2017: Committee Stage (Resumed) (9 Nov 2017)

Paschal Donohoe: I allowed the Deputy to speak. I am simply asserting that she used the phrase "among the worst".