Results 11,601-11,620 of 18,734 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Seanad: Prisons Bill 2006: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage. (5 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I thank Members for their courtesy. I also thank the Leader for extending the time for the debate. This Bill has been substantially improved as a result of the careful consideration it has been given line by line. I am grateful to the House for the way it has dealt with the Bill.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is what growth does.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Unemployment was at 10%.

Budget Statement 2006 (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Where is the Democratic Left now?

Financial Resolution No. 2: Mineral Oils (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Deputy Ring used to have an interest in the all-Ireland championship but that is no longer the case.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I move: (1) THAT the level of the turnover from taxable supplies below which persons shall not, unless they otherwise elect, be taxable persons be increased to €35,000 from €27,500 in respect of a person's supply of services, and to €70,000 from €55,000 in respect of a person's supply of goods and that, accordingly—— (a) section 8 of the Value-Added Tax Act 1972 (No. 22 of 1972)...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The threshold has increased by 27%.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: And business.

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: With regard to the farmers' flat rate and Deputy Johnny Brady's comments, VAT incurred on the construction of farm buildings and land drainage is still reclaimable. The amounts of VAT reclaimed under the provisions mentioned by the Deputy were of the order of €32 million in 2005 and the same amount to the end of October 2006. There is no change. I listened to the Deputy talking about his...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Listening to Deputy Ardagh speaking about Dublin South-Central reminds me that agriculture was wiped out in my constituency under a Fine Gael and Labour Government. The nuns on Merrion Road gave up their last few cattle and that was the end of agriculture in Dublin South-East. I warned the Government at the time it would happen, but it was wiped out just like that. Member states are given...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: On the other hand, if there was a high-cost input into the business, and a company was selling windows to SSIA holders, for example, there would be much VAT. If that cannot be recovered, it would not have the same distorting effect on competition. That is the significant difference. There is another angle if a company is supplying to VAT-registered customers or end users who cannot reclaim...

Financial Resolution No. 4: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: General consensus exists in the House that these resolutions should be passed. Generally speaking, they are an ease for small businesses, be they agricultural or non-agricultural. It is part of building an enterprising society in Ireland and reducing the burden of the State on small-scale economic activity. In all circumstances, the Minister for Finance is to be greatly complimented for...

Financial Resolution No. 5: Value-Added Tax (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I move: (1) THAT the rate of flat-rate addition to the consideration in respect of the supply of agricultural produce or an agricultural service by a flat-rate farmer be increased from 4.8 per cent to 5.2 per cent, and that, accordingly, section 12A (inserted by the Value-Added Tax (Amendment) Act 1978 (No. 34 of 1978)) of the Value-Added Tax Act (No. 22 of 1972) be amended in subsection (1)...

Financial Resolution No. 6: General (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I move Financial Resolution No. 6: THAT it is expedient to amend the law relating to inland revenue (including value-added tax and excise) and to make further provision in connection with finance.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I can inform the Deputy that there were no projects funded by National Lottery monies through my Department in the past five years.

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The number of non-Garda clerical staff in Garda Stations in the Louth/Meath Division as of 30 November 2006 is set out in a table. Station Number of clerical staff Drogheda 11 Dundalk 4 Kells 3 Trim 3 Ashbourne 2 Dunboyne 1 Balbriggan 3 Skerries 1 Navan 4 The number of non-Garda clerical staff in Naas, Longford, Athlone and Cavan Garda Stations as at 30 November 2006 is set out in...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November, 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an...

Written Answers — Garda Training: Garda Training (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 153 and 158 together. I have been informed by Garda authorities that the total number of Gardaí that have completed training in the use of firearms, as at the 4th December, 2006 was 2942 (all ranks). Garda management state that they are satisfied that the members trained meet their current operational needs. I have been further informed by the Garda...

Written Answers — Crime Levels: Crime Levels (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: The figures for headline offences detected for each Garda Division are available in the relevant Garda Annual Reports, copies of which are available in the Oireachtas library.

Written Answers — Garda Strength: Garda Strength (6 Dec 2006)

Michael McDowell: Detailed statistics in relation to headline and non headline offences are contained in the annual reports of An Garda Síochána which are available in the Oireachtas library. These figures include analysis on the basis of Garda Divisions with comparisons per 1000 of population. The analysis sought by the Deputy of reported incidents by comparisons to garda numbers in the stations referred to...