Results 13,321-13,340 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: SARP is only justifiable if there is demonstrable evidence that it has led to additional investment and employment. That is the key measure of whether SARP is a success but the jury is out. It is a controversial scheme in light of current developments. There must be an evidence-led demonstration that by bringing key decision-makers to Ireland, who are the top executives in many cases, will...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I asked specifically about the letter from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, on behalf of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: First, I welcome the transitional measures the Minister is proposing in the amendments. Taking it to the end of March next year is welcome and necessary. It is fair to say this is quite technical. We will have to go over some of the remarks the Minister put on the record there by way of explanation of some of the amendments but it is true to say that there is a different treatment in...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 64:In page 23, between lines 18 and 19, to insert the following:"14.The Minister shall, within 3 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the possibility of extending the TaxSaver Commuter Ticket Scheme to include parking costs associated with public transport.". This amendment relates to the taxsaver commuter ticket...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: The Minister is giving a response to amendment No. 63. We are on to amendment No. 64.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: That could happen in a minute. Amendment No. 63 was ruled out of order.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: Cycle to the station.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I appreciate the Minister's response. As I said, it is a good scheme. It is successful. The reality for many is that they have to drive to the nearest station. I will take the note the Minister read into the record and discuss it with Deputy Lawless. I will withdraw the amendment on that basis.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: My amendment No. 63 on section 14 was ruled out of order. The Minister has a speaking note on it. This amendment relates to the treatment of expenses for non-executive Irish resident directors. There was a change made in the last couple of years to the tax treatment, and there is an exemption, for non-resident non-executive directors of companies. I wish to be clear that we are talking...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: The Minister spoke about the potential unintended consequence of the measure being extended to employees. The issue is that non-executive directors are not employees of the company concerned. Non-executive directors are providing their expertise and their experience to guide businesses in Ireland, which should be encouraged. We are speaking of expenses that are actually incurred and...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Donnelly has raised an important issue. It is an area I have also examined in the past and I put forward proposals in 2014. It is quite costly to do something on it. The proposal we made in 2014 was for people who bought between 2000 and 2009, whereby 75% of their rental expense could be offset against rental income on the property they own. The cost at the time provided by the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: The Minister is a deep thinker.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: What time will we resume on Tuesday?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: We will resume at 2 o'clock on Tuesday.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: Can we go late on Tuesday?

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Labour Court Recommendations (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost in a full year of implementing all the recommendations of the Labour Court dated 3 November 2016 in respect of Garda pay and allowances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34798/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Government Expenditure (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 171. To ask the Minister for Finance the expenditure limit for 2017; the amount of expenditure forecast for 2017; the consequences for Ireland of exceeding the expenditure limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34797/16]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 691. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there are any sources of funding in her Department or in any agencies under her Department's remit for a company expanding a commercial marina development with associated economic, community and social benefits. [34434/16]

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 73: In page 34, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: "(3) The Minister shall, within three months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the breaking of the link between the rate of DIRT and the rate of exit tax from life assurance policies, including the impact of this on life assurance savers.". This amendment...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: A 2% differential is one thing, but is the policy of Government now to reduce DIRT to 33% over a number of years and to leave the exit tax on other savings and investment products, such as life assurance investment products, at 41% indefinitely? Is it now the case that this link has been done away with or is it that a pragmatic decision has been made for this year on the basis of the cost of...