Results 11,621-11,640 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----on which the Senator has a good chance.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, the Senator will have a good chance on it.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It has been a useful debate in that we have covered an amount of ground. I do not believe Senators have trespassed too far and I will try to deal with all of the points raised in the context of the amendments before us. Listening to Senator Norris, I was reminded of the late Professor F.S.L. Lyons's assessment of the position of the old Irish Parliamentary Party in the House of Commons in...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Fine Gael amendment suggests that the oversight committee should be exclusively comprised of members of Dáil Éireann.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I understand it that is a criticism made in the course of the debate.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am glad to hear Fine Gael is still of the assembly as well as in it.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On the merits of the amendment, the words used------

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My objection to the amendments tabled by the Fine Gael and Labour parties relates to the use of the word "oversight". Oversight in NAMA is a matter for the board of NAMA. It is elementary good corporate governance standard. The first issue to be resolved is the board and how it will hold the managing director and staff of NAMA to account. When one has addressed that issue one must...

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are 55% of the way there already.

Seanad: National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009: Committee Stage (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am just saying we are 55% of the way towards nationalisation already.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government decides on an annual basis how much funding is to be allocated to subheads which are part-funded by the proceeds of the national lottery. This occurs in the context of decisions on the Estimates for Public Services for the following year. The allocation of the national lottery funds for 2010 will therefore be considered during the forthcoming Estimates process.

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing: Liquor Licensing (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 133 and 134 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to provide a detailed reply within the time available. Accordingly, I will have the information forwarded to the Deputy at an early date. I am also informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information provided will be the actual numbers in the two categories...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The 2009 estimate of receipts for the health levy is €1,892m following the doubling of the levy in the 2009 Supplementary Budget. Health levy receipts to end-October amount to €1,217m, some €190m below the HSE profile. I understand from the Department of Social & Family Affairs that a significant element of this shortfall is as a result of timing issues and that this will be reflected...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While there are uncertainties regarding what is meant by the term 'non-Governmental organisation', information is provided below in relation to the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Institute of Public Administration (IPA), which are in receipt of funding from within the Finance Vote. 2009* 2008 2007 2006 2005 Current 3,300 3,370 3,168 3,052 2,900 Capital 0 2,130**...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government took steps in October 2007 via an amendment to the Central Bank Act 1997, to provide for an appropriate system of authorisation and supervision of retail credit firms by the Financial Regulator engaged in specialist or so-called sub-prime lending. Such lenders were not previously subject to financial regulation in respect of lending activities. The primary purpose of this...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Following a review of the Agreed Programme for Government 2007-2012, the Government published its Renewed Programme for Government last month. The renewed programme includes a commitment in relation to the tax treatment of pensions to "introduce a single 30% rate for tax relief on private pension provision in the context of the national pensions framework." The detail and timing of the...

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 to 142, inclusive, together. As part of the Budget process all submissions are reviewed. I have stated previously that it is my intention to widen, if possible, the tax base on which betting duty would be applied. Bets placed either on-line or over the phone are generally with out-of-State companies so applying betting duty is therefore problematic. My...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the postal address and telephone contact numbers for each Revenue District in the Dublin Region are displayed on one page in the "State Directory" section of the telephone book. There are two public offices for personal callers within the region, and details for those offices are displayed on that page of the telephone book under the heading...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that health expenses relief may be claimed by all taxpayers in respect of "non-routine" dental treatment in accordance with Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. In order to claim the relief, an individual must hold a completed form Med 2 (Dental) signed and certified by the dental practitioner. Full information on qualifying treatments and on how to submit a...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Commission on Taxation proposed the abolition, retention and amendment of certain reliefs. No costings were provided for the amended reliefs. Set out below is the table of recommendations for abolition and the corresponding savings. Ref Commission on Taxation Recommendations - Tax Expenditures for ABOLITION Yield Estimate €m 8.12 TAX EXPENDITURES - CHILDRENThe capital allowances...