Results 1,381-1,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is all a very energetic process. The broadcasting Bill will be published next year and the electronic communications Bill will be published later this year.

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I hope the decision the Labour Party takes this weekend will not be the terms of its surrender at the next election.

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Like Deputy Costello, I learned only this morning that this historic document was sold for €700,000 yesterday. I can only hope the buyer is a person or institution which may make it available for our archives in the future. I simply do not know. It was a private auction and the letter was anonymously purchased.

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I cannot answer that. The Deputy must seek that information from others. I understand the second interim report of the Morris tribunal is a matter for consideration by the relevant committee and the question of a debate is for the Whips to decide. I wish to revert to Deputy Howlin's question on the Sea Fisheries (Conservation and Rational Exploitation of Scallops) Regulations 2005, SI 245 of...

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Ring's party knew far more about political cadavers after the previous general election than we did.

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The coroners Bill will be brought before the House next year.

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand that Bill is ready for Second Stage.

Order of Business. (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for the Whips to order that business. It is available for Second Stage and will proceed as soon as the Whips can schedule it. The Chief Whip will review the matter.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: When the issue of introducing tax on aviation fuel arose in the context of discussions on the EU energy tax directive, 2003/96/EC, we expressed concerns, together with other member states, based on our peripheral status and dispersal of populations, which adds to transport costs, and the need to maintain competitiveness in the EU vis-À-vis third countries in regard to tourism. The directive...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 and any regulations made under that Act are the responsibility of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has responsibility for pensions of staff in local authorities and these are already covered by the provisions of the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work)...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The primary responsibility for the procurement of capital projects rests with individual contracting authorities and it is a matter for them to determine the appropriate tendering procedure to use. I understand the question relates to larger capital projects. Public works contracts with an estimated value above the threshold, currently €5.9 million, must be awarded in accordance with EU...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have adjusted the taxpayer's 2005 tax credits. An amended notice of determination of tax credits will be issued shortly, which will include the appropriate tax credit for a single person.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their investigation into individuals who have invested in single premium life assurance products is confined to those circumstances where tax liabilities have been evaded. The Revenue Commissioners accept there are many individuals who have invested money from non-taxable sources as well as from income, gains and acquisitions which have already...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners have advised me that the individual mentioned above has no tax issues. The funds invested in the life assurance product were from taxed PAYE earnings. A Revenue Commissioners official has confirmed this to the family of the individual concerned.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Celbridge Mental Health Housing Association Limited has been granted charitable status, that there is no separate concept of "full" charity status and that the status granted in this case allows for all the exemptions applicable to charities. A charitable body is exempt from income tax, corporation tax, capital gains tax, deposit interest...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concessions under this scheme are set out in the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions regulations 1994. Six different types of disablement are listed under the regulations and a qualifying person must satisfy one or more of them. The six types of disablement are: persons who are wholly or almost wholly without the use of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government is firmly committed to the implementation of the decentralisation programme, including to Buncrana. The decentralisation implementation group will report again presently about progress towards implementation of the programme. In its report it will also deal with the locations and organisations not covered in its 24 November report, including Buncrana.

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (31 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Vehicle registration is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners. I am advised that the current index marks system, for example, D for Dublin, and corresponding placenames, for example, Baile Átha Cliath, for vehicles that are registered in the State was introduced in 1987, based generally on the system of local authority licensing authorities. The Revenue Commissioners have informed me that...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Stamp duty exists on credit cards to provide Exchequer revenue. The stamp duty on cheques, bills of exchange and promissory notes has existed for many years and, when electronic means of money transfers were subsequently introduced, stamp duty was gradually extended to these products to ensure that the stamp duty from cheques, etc., was not eroded. The current annual rate of stamp duty on...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (31 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The information to which the Deputy refers, which will shortly be added to the relevant information leaflet, is to make it clear that, as is the case with spectacles, the provision and maintenance of contact lenses does not qualify for tax relief. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that if, in the absence of the information in the leaflet, a claim had been made it would have been...