Results 14,221-14,240 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Mortgage Arrears: Mortgage Arrears (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Renewed Programme for Government sets out the Government's commitments for introducing new measures to protect families having difficulties with their mortgage repayments and personal indebtedness under the headings Protecting the Family Home and Helping Those in Debt. I have spoken extensively about the Government's intentions in this regard, including during the passage of the National...

Written Answers — Tax Returns: Tax Returns (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The table shows the performance of the main tax-heads against profile for the first five months of the year. As the Deputy can see, in overall terms, €12,117 million in tax revenue was collected, meaning there is a shortfall of €148 million or 1 per cent. Thus, tax revenues are broadly in line with expectations at this point in the year and the budgetary targets for the year as a whole...

Written Answers — Tax Returns: Tax Returns (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Over the last two years tax receipts have been severely impacted by the sharp deterioration in the economic environment. The table sets out the trend in tax receipts over the last five years and the 2010 forecast for tax revenue: 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Budget forecast Total Exchequer Tax Receipts €m 39,254 45,539 47,249 40,777 33,043 31,050 Year-on-Year change 10% 16% 4% -14%...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I have already outlined in my responses to the Regling/Watson and Honohan Reports, I accept the broad thrust of the reports' recommendations in relation to fiscal policy. That said as far back as 2004, the then Minister for Finance announced a review of tax incentive schemes. Three studies were commissioned in 2005 as part of this process, one by Goodbody consultants, one by Indecon...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume the Deputy seeks an update on events since his similar PQ Ref No 22257/10 answered on 26 May 2010. I met with the credit union representative bodies on 26 May 2010 and again on 8 June 2010. I have informed them that I am listening to the views of credit unions and of elected representatives on the Section 35 issue and that I will reflect on what I have heard. I will make a...

Written Answers — Sentencing Policy: Sentencing Policy (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The offence of smuggling of cigarettes or other tobacco products is normally prosecuted under section 119 of the Finance Act 2001, which relates to the evasion or attempted evasion of excise duty. Where a person is convicted following summary prosecution, the Court may impose a fine of €5,000, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both. The amount of the fine was last...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Where a person dies, their personal representatives are liable for any unpaid taxes. In the case of Income Tax the statutory provisions allowing for this are set out in sections 1047 and 1048 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 and there are broadly equivalent provisions in legislation governing the other taxes. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they will normally assess and...

Written Answers — Ministerial Engagements: Ministerial Engagements (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Irish Government is strongly committed to practical and mutual beneficial North/South cooperation. Minister Wilson and I have met on a number of occasions and we discussed matters of mutual interest, including the economic challenges facing both jurisdictions and the potential for improved outcomes through North South co-operation. I met with Chancellor Osborne at recent meetings in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by Revenue that a claim for relief was first received by them on 2 June 2010. The person in question switched mortgage lender in 2007 but the full entitlement to mortgage interest relief had already been paid for that year so no additional relief is payable for that year. Relief for 2008 and 2009 has been paid into the person's nominated bank account. Arrangements have been...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that legislation does not provide for an exemption from VAT for pensioners in respect of house improvement projects. However, Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 15) Order 1981 does provide for the refund of VAT on qualifying goods that are purchased for the exclusive use of disabled persons suffering a specified degree of disablement. The age of the...

Written Answers — Local Authority Charges: Local Authority Charges (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together. The Valuation Act, 2001 maintains the long-standing position that all commercial facilities - including all pre-school childcare facilities such as playschools, pre-schools, crèches and Montessori schools - are liable for rates. However, providers of sessional places for 38 weeks of the year under the Early Childhood Care & Education...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Officials of my Department have been working on extending the remit of the Freedom of Information Acts in a number of areas including that of the Vocational Education Committees. I hope to seek Government approval later this year for the legislative process which will bring these bodies under the Act.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I announced in the Budget that a carbon tax at a rate of €15 per tonne is being introduced on fossil fuels. The tax was applied to petrol and auto-diesel with effect from midnight, 9 December 2009; and applied from 1 May 2010 to kerosene, marked gas oil (also known as 'green diesel' or 'agricultural diesel'), liquid petroleum gas (LPG), fuel oil and natural gas. The application of the tax...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The rationale for giving various tax reliefs to statutory and Revenue-approved pension savings schemes is to encourage and promote savings over the long term in order that individuals will have an adequate replacement income in old age. Any proposal, however well intentioned, that would allow pre-retirement access by individuals to retirement savings could significantly reduce the quantum of...

Written Answers — Tax Clearance Certificates: Tax Clearance Certificates (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a Tax Clearance Certificate issued to the person in question on 8 June 2010.

Written Answers — Departmental Offices: Departmental Offices (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are three commercially run canteens operating within my Department. These canteens are located in the Department's offices at 7-9 Merrion Row, Lansdowne House and Tullamore. In all cases the canteens are operated by external contractors. The situation regarding bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows: Revenue Commissioners The Revenue Commissioners have four commercially...

Written Answers — Climate Change: Climate Change (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the context of preparations for last year's UN climate change conference in Copenhagen, the Taoiseach at the European Council in December 2009 pledged a voluntary contribution from Ireland of up to €100m over the period 2010-12. The total voluntary contributions pledged from all EU Member States amounts to €7.2bn over 2010-12. The disposition of this sum will be settled in the context...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The AIB subsidiary, known as First Trust Bank, is a separate Northern Ireland company. AIB is obliged to examine all restructuring options in the context of their substantial capital needs outlined in my Statement of 30 March 2010. At this stage AIB has offered the particular Northern Ireland company for sale. Economic development on both sides of the border is best developed through a...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are currently two Departmental credit cards in use within my Department. The cards are held by a member of staff in the Corporate Services Division (CSD) and the Centre for Management and Organisation Development (CMOD) respectively. Each card has an expenditure limit of €5,000.00. The cards are used exclusively by officials in my Department for the purchase of a variety of goods...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (22 Jun 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In relation to those semi-state or similar bodies within the remit of my Department, I have been advised that the following is the position: Institute of Public Administration Since the 1 January 2010 the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) falls under the auspices of the Department of Finance. The Institute of Public Administration suspended its performance related award scheme...