Results 1,401-1,420 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Departmental: Departmental (5 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I assume that where the Deputy refers to non-technical civil service promotion panels he is seeking information on general service interdepartmental promotion panels in the civil service. Such competitions are run by the Public Appointments Service. During the past 24 months panels from the following competitions were closed: Circular 11/2007: Confined competition for appointment to posts...

Written Answers — Departmental: Departmental (5 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Within the central government area, the Accounting Officer is normally the Secretary General or civil service head of a Department or Office to whom the Minister for Finance has assigned responsibility for preparing the annual Appropriation Account for each vote under his/her charge. The Accounting Officer has responsibilities, amongst other things, for regularity and propriety of the...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Last Thursday, I announced the Government's radical and wide-ranging plans to restructure the State-supported banking sector. When it published its plan, the Government had a number of objectives. First, to restore confidence in the banking system and in the economy of the country. Second, to recapitalise and restructure the banks and, third, to restore credit to the economy in order that...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: In recent years, the excessive attention focused by bank management on the need to recapitalise and repair broken balance sheets has been a failed policy. With banks under pressure to delever quickly, new lending suffered considerably. Despite the efforts by the Credit Review Office, business and retail confidence in the availability of credit was completely eroded. Our decisive plan will...

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Who was in Government for the past 14 years? Did this all happen in three weeks? Get off the stage Willie.

Bank Reorganisation: Statements (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Get off the stage Willie. Fourteen years of it and it is all our fault already?

Bank Bailout and EU-IMF Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Although the Government opposes the motion put forward by the 13 members of the Technical Group, I can understand why they seek a referendum on the bank bailout and the EU-IMF programme. There is no doubt that the bailout will impose a heavy debt burden on Ireland for many years to come. Neither is there any doubt that compliance with the programme involves implementing many difficult...

Bank Bailout and EU-IMF Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: John Gormley did that.

Bank Bailout and EU-IMF Arrangement: Motion (Resumed) (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: We are in the middle of a vote.

Written Answers — National Minimum Wage: National Minimum Wage (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 55 and 58 together. Under the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support, Ireland has agreed to deliver a wide range of actions and conditions including those referred to by the Deputy in his questions. Furthermore, Ireland has committed to consult with the European Commission, the ECB and the IMF on the adoption of policies that are not consistent with the...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: A derogation under EU Directive 2003/96 on Energy Taxation allowed the application of a reduced rate of Mineral Oil Tax to fuel used for the purposes of certain road passenger services. That derogation has expired and the arrangement was, therefore, terminated by the Finance Act 2008. It would not be possible, having regard to the relevant provisions of EU law, to re-introduce a scheme of...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (6 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Programme for Government provides that the Government will legislate to "restore the Freedom of Information Act to what it was before it was undermined by the outgoing Government", and that it "will extend its remit to other public bodies including the administrative side of the Garda Síochána, subject to security exceptions". It also proposes "to extend Freedom of Information, and the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the annual alcohol excise licence fees payable by the on- and off-trade respectively. In that context it has to be recognized that the main Exchequer receipts for the sale of alcohol arises from excise on alcohol products, which for example yielded €968m in 2009, compared to a yield of around €13.6m in respect of all alcohol excise licence...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy may be aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to a referendum to protect the right of citizens to communicate in confidence with public representatives. In addition, there is a commitment that we will legislate and change Dáil standing orders to ensure the absolute confidentiality of information entrusted to members of the Dáil by their constituents or...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: As Minister for Finance I have no function in the matter raised by the Deputy. The Central Bank of Ireland has informed me that insider trading in shares admitted to trading on the main market of the Irish Stock Exchange is governed by the Market Abuse (Directive 2003/EC) Regulations, 2005. Insider trading in shares admitted to other markets run by the Irish Stock Exchange is governed by...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I can confirm that an application to the Pension Insolvency Payment Scheme from Waterford trustees has been received and is under consideration. Discussions have taken place with the trustees and staff representatives about a number of aspects of the application. I hope to be in a position to respond shortly. The Pension Insolvency Payment Scheme [PIPS] was introduced on 1 February, 2010 for...

Written Answers — Personal Debt: Personal Debt (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will be aware that the Mortgage Arrears and Personal Debt Expert Group (Expert Group) produced two Reports, an Interim Report published in July 2010 and their Final Report published in November 2010. The Expert Group, which was chaired by Mr. Hugh Cooney, included Mr. Matthew Elderfield, Head of Financial Regulation at the Central Bank, as well as other external experts and senior...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 to 29, inclusive, together. There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to help homeowners in distress to weather the recession. The Government will examine a number of proposals in relation to this commitment. One of these proposals relates to increasing mortgage interest relief to 30% for First Time Buyers who bought between 2004 and 2008 and...

Written Answers — Mortgage Indemnity Insurance: Mortgage Indemnity Insurance (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Mortgage Indemnity Insurance acts as a form of additional security for the mortgage lender in the event of default by the mortgage holder. While either the lender or borrower can be responsible for paying the premia, it is the lender alone who will receive the proceeds of any claim. The borrower will still retain the same legal responsibility to pay the mortgage shortfall, where such...

Written Answers — Economic Forecasts: Economic Forecasts (7 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The forecasts prepared by the Department of Finance last October and first published in early November in the National Recovery Plan, and subsequently in Budget 2011 are the latest published forecasts. Forecasts naturally need to be reviewed from time to time as additional information becomes available. Since last October, important National Accounts and National Household Survey data for...