Results 12,461-12,480 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The forthcoming Finance Bill, which is published this coming Thursday 4 February 2010, includes provision to make public bodies subject to VAT in accordance with the European Court of Justice ruling against Ireland of 16 July 2009 in Case C-554/07. In summary, the VAT Act is being amended to provide that public bodies, including local authorities, are made subject to VAT where they engage in...

Written Answers — Eurozone Membership: Eurozone Membership (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together. In the recent Lisbon Treaty referendum the Irish people reaffirmed our place at the heart of Europe. The Treaty sets out the conditions necessary for participation in the euro area, and therefore Ireland's membership of the Eurozone is not in question. Furthermore, our membership of the European Union and the Eurozone in particular has...

Written Answers — Eurozone Membership: Eurozone Membership (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the proposals which have been made by some economists recently. As a member of the eurozone Ireland has benefited greatly over the last decade or so from being part of a large currency area. That said, there is no doubt that membership does mean adjusting to severe economic shocks must be done through improvements to our competitiveness and productivity. Clearly this involves...

Written Answers — Economic Forecasts: Economic Forecasts (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In my Budget speech last December, I outlined my Department's expectation that economic growth would be positive by the second half of this year. Developments since then are consistent with this. Furthermore, I note that the Central Bank, in its quarterly bulletin published last week, is also expecting positive annual growth by the second half of the year. So while there is more to be...

Written Answers — Income Data: Income Data (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a breakdown of income data can generally be provided on a geographical basis on the basis of "bailiwick", which is the jurisdiction or boundaries within which Revenue Sheriffs, County Registrars or their officers operate. However, while separate breakdowns for "city" and "county" can be provided in the case of counties Dublin and Cork, the...

Written Answers — Consumer Credit: Consumer Credit (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, consumer credit including hire purchase and consumer hire, together with money lending and home loans, are governed by the Consumer Credit Act 1995. This legislation sets out important consumer protection measures, including the form and content of the credit agreements in respect of those types of loans. The Consumer Protection Code requires that before providing a...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The decision of any eligible Irish undertaking, including financial institutions, to make an application under any particular EU scheme would be a commercial matter for the institution involved. Applications are between the undertaking involved and the relevant EU institution providing support. The Irish Authorities would not necessarily be made aware of individual applications made to EU...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the C2 Tax Clearance Certificate is available for collection at the Kilkenny Revenue District Office and the person concerned has been advised of this.

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The question of considering the introduction of such supports does not arise at this time. It will be necessary in the first instance, in consultation with the insurance industry, to determine the extent to which the issue of the withdrawal of coverage gives rise to the difficulty highlighted in the Deputy's question. While the recent flooding in November 2009 may to lead to a situation...

Banking Sector Regulation. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government has decided to establish a framework for a comprehensive investigation into the causes of the systemic failures in the Irish banking sector which culminated in the need for the State intervention in the sector. The framework for investigation will have two stages. The first stage will consist of the preparation of two separate preliminary reports from the Governor of the...

Banking Sector Regulation. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With respect to events or parties involved in the collapse of the banking and property sector, I have already made it clear and set out in Dáil Éireann that any wrongdoing which has come to light since September 2008 and any associated failure in the regulatory system to respond to that which was a continuation of previous practices should of course come within the scope of the inquiry of...

Banking Sector Regulation. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We will be in a clear position to deal with the issue of subordinated debt on 29 September, and a very exact computation can be made at that stage of what cost, if any, that element of the guarantee occasioned to the State. On the information at my disposal to date, it is an issue of marginal significance.

Mortgage Interest Rates. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The level of mortgage interest rates reflects a broad range of factors, including European Central Bank base rates, deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment and an institution's overall funding. Decisions on the level of interest rates are taken autonomously by commercial lending institutions and are not subject to direction by the Minister for Finance. I have already...

Mortgage Interest Rates. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are no indications of any imminent increase in rates at the European Central Bank, but the rates are at very low levels and it is difficult to envisage interest rates remaining at those levels in the medium term. Most Members would recognise that. There is no indication of an imminent change on the part of other Irish banks, but any decision they take will be in the context of the...

Mortgage Interest Rates. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The interdepartmental committee is up and running. The group's terms of reference include consulting with various expert groups as well as examining options to improve State support for homeowners with mortgage arrears, including schemes in operation in the US and the UK. The interdepartmental group is made up of public servants. I discussed the existence of the group with the Minister...

Mortgage Interest Rates. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would not have thought so, because his Department would not be of direct relevance in this area. However, there was such discussion and I will be bringing proposals to the Government on the issue.

Mortgage Interest Rates. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: All these matters are under consideration at the interdepartmental committee.

Departmental Staff. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Performance-related pay, while not part of the basic salary of assistant secretaries and deputy secretaries in the Civil Service and of related grades in other parts of the public service, has formed part of their remuneration package since 2001, on foot of a recommendation by the review body on higher remuneration in the public service in its report No. 38. The review body recommended that...

Departmental Staff. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Nothing happened between Friday, 18 December and Wednesday, 23 December.

Departmental Staff. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Nothing happened. A circular may have issued during that period but it was on foot of a Government decision already taken. The Government considered all these issues when settling the legislation. Deputy O'Donnell referred to my contribution in the Houses. I was present during the debate on Second Stage and he correctly quoted from my speech. I was not in the Chamber during Committee...