Results 13,781-13,800 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: When we enter international arrangements there are always implications for the implementing legislation.

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Yes. On the substance of the Commission quarterly report to the lenders, which Deputies Burton and O'Donnell also raised, it would not be prudent for me at this stage to attempt to legislate in detail regarding the information which it would be appropriate to put in the public domain in respect of aspects of the bilateral loans which are provided for in the intercreditor agreements....

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There has been a very intensive engagement between Greece and the European Central Bank and European Commission, respectively, in recent months. Finance Ministers have heard the reports of this intensive engagement, which has surveyed not only the balance sheet issues, if one likes, of the sums involved but also the structural defects in the Greek economy. The conditions laid down for...

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Who is Goldman Sachs advising exactly?

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are many who have been alleged to be in that famous tent but I never heard of Goldman Sachs being there. I understood the company has been chaired for some time by a person who is historically more associated with the principal Opposition party, although I do not decry the party for that in any way since the person in question has done the State some service in recent times.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As outlined in my response to parliamentary question No. 118 of 12 May, my officials are currently working on an extension to the FOI Act and have been for some time. There are a number of other bodies besides those mentioned in the Deputy's earlier question that fall to be considered for FOI coverage as part of this extension to the Act. In general an extension process usually involves a...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I outlined in my response last week to Parliamentary Question 119 of 12 May 2010 property, including hotels, does not transfer directly to NAMA. I assume, therefore, that the Deputy is asking about the number of hotels covered by the €0.77bn tranche 1 consideration estimate referred to in my answer. The transfer of the first tranche was completed on 10 May and the actual consideration...

Written Answers — Bank Debt: Bank Debt (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume that the Deputy's reference to Irish banks comprises the retail clearing banks and the non-clearing domestic banks. The Retail Clearing banks are AIB, Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank and Ulster Bank and some of their subsidiaries. The Non-Clearing domestic banks include; ACC Bank plc, Anglo Irish Bank, EBS Building Society, Irish Life & Permanent plc, Irish Nationwide Building...

Written Answers — National Debt: National Debt (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The National Debt at end-2009 stood at €75.2 billion and at end-April 2010 stood at just over €82 billion. The National Debt is a presentation of the indebtedness of the Exchequer and as such it is this amount which must be serviced from the Central Fund. It is calculated net of liquid assets and excludes certain liabilities recognised in the General Government Debt. The General...

Written Answers — Household Debt: Household Debt (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together. Household debt levels are, in the first instance, a matter for the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland. Figures received from the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority put the level of household debt at €168.3 billion at end March 2010 which is the latest figure available. The figures for December 2009, May...

Written Answers — Bank Debt: Bank Debt (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume that the Deputy's reference to Irish banks comprises the retail clearing banks and the non-clearing domestic banks. The Retail Clearing banks are AIB, Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank and Ulster Bank and some of their subsidiaries. The Non-Clearing domestic banks include; ACC Bank plc, Anglo Irish Bank, EBS Building Society, Irish Life & Permanent plc, Irish Nationwide Building...

Written Answers — Bank Deposit Ratios: Bank Deposit Ratios (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume that the Deputy's reference to Irish banks comprises the retail clearing banks and the non-clearing domestic banks. The Retail Clearing banks are AIB, Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank and Ulster Bank and some of their subsidiaries. The Non-Clearing domestic banks include; ACC Bank plc, Anglo Irish Bank, EBS Building Society, Irish Life & Permanent plc, Irish Nationwide Building...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget 2010, presented to the Dáil on 9 December last, set out a multi-annual framework to restore sustainability to the public finances and to reduce the General Government Deficit to below 3% of GDP by end-2014. The Budget delivered an adjustment of €4 billion (21⁄2% of GDP) for 2010 which, given previous adjustments was focused on reductions in expenditure. It included measures to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Department of Finance is responsible for overall policy in relation to Ireland's EU Structural and Cohesion Funds and has primary responsibility for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund. It plays a central role in the development and management of the programmes/projects through which these Funds are drawn down. Ireland no longer qualifies for Cohesion...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Valuation Office currently employs 67 valuers who, as part of their duties, carry out inspections of commercial and industrial properties. There are no inspections carried out by the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO). The role of the FSO is to deal with consumer complaints in relation to financial services as provided for by the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended).

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Revenue Commissioners currently employ 6,091 staff across their nine main business programmes. All of the staff assigned to these programmes support, in varying degrees, the central and overarching programme of "tax collection". The number of staff assigned to the Collector General's Division is 858 and the role of that Division is primarily concerned with regular tax collection, payment...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have no plans to abolish the air travel tax. The air travel tax was one of a number of Budgetary measures introduced recently that was necessary in the context of an overall response to the fiscal challenges we face. I have stated before that the impact of the tax on passenger numbers is being overstated.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in this particular case, a pension from the Construction Industry Federation is subject to tax as are some benefits and pensions from the Department of Social Protection. However, in the case of a married couple aged 65 and over an exemption applies. The exemption for a married couple aged 65 and over is €40,000 per annum for 2010. If the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the economy contracted, overall employment fell in 2008 and 2009. While the pace is now slowing, my Department has forecast a further fall in employment in 2010 as well. There is now a broad consensus that economic growth is likely to resume in the second half of this year and continue thereafter. On this basis, we expect net new job creation of about 150,000 jobs between 2010 and 2014.

Written Answers — Tobacco Product Seizures: Tobacco Product Seizures (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax and tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows. The point of display ban entered into force on 1st July 2009. Since that date the number and value of cigarettes seized is as shown on the attached table. These...