Results 14,341-14,360 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the necessary basic data are not currently available in such a manner as to provide a basis for compiling the information requested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the necessary basic data are not currently available in such a manner as to provide a basis for compiling the information requested by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Financial Regulator has advised me of the arrangements that are in place for Halifax current account and savings account customers to reclaim any money owed. As regards closing a current account, Halifax requires written confirmation from the customer either by letter or by completing a closure form. Any credit balances or credit interest due to customers will be returned as part of...

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The background to the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) working group was a request from my Department for detailed information in relation to the November 2009 flooding. The type of information being sought included amongst other things a list of the locations where insurance companies were having difficulty providing cover as well as an indication of the number of policies they expected not...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that pay (which includes bonus payments) are appropriate to the year that they are earned and the tax to the year it is deducted. For administrative purposes, where an employer makes a payment that refers to a previous year they apply the current tax credits and standard rate cut-off point to the pay. Where the employee is no longer in the...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy may be aware, the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 removed the maximum retirement age (the age by which a public servant must retire) for most new entrants to the public service; for staff recruited before 2004, a maximum retirement age of 65 generally applies. Retirement age is different to pension age (the minimum age at which a public servant...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The responsibility for assessing the Rateable Valuations of properties rests with the Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act, 2001. There are two provisions in the legislation governing the assessment of valuations, i.e. revision and revaluation. Revision of valuation is the mechanism used to maintain existing local authority valuations lists. It is used to add new properties to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners who are responsible for the administration of mortgage interest relief through the tax relief at source (TRS) system. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that following contact with the person concerned and clarification by the person of the precise circumstances of the mortgages taken out in 2006 and 2008, entitlement to mortgage interest...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that while Revenue issues licences as provided for in the Auctioneers and House Agents Act 1947, there are no provisions within that Act for the provision of a register of licensees for inspection, as set out in the query. However, Section 30 of the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009, provides for the display for inspection by the public, of a...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (CBFSAI) is governed by the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended), the Statute of the European System of Central Banks and the Treaty of Rome and is not directly responsible to me for the cost of financial regulation. However, the Central Bank Act 1942 requires my approval for an annual statement by the Irish Financial Services...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that where an individual has an entitlement to a full medical card they are excluded from the income levy and the health levy.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy may be aware the rate of excise duty on off-licences was reviewed in the context of the 2008 and 2009 Budgets. The annual excise duty payable on each off-licence was increased from €250 to €500. An off-licence selling the full range of alcohol products require three licences - spirits, beer and wine. Consequently, supermarkets who wish to sell wine, beer and spirits must...

Written Answers — Debt Management: Debt Management (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, I set up an Expert Group to report to me with recommendations on a range of matters regarding mortgage arrears and personal debt. In the course of the data gathering phase of its work, the Expert Group met with the Future Group and listened to their submission on how to deal with the issue of providing independent advice to borrowers in difficulty. The Expert...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Ireland has a double taxation agreement (DTA) with Australia since 1983. It generally reflects the provisions found in the OECD model tax agreement. The full text of the Australian DTA can be found on the Revenue website at: http://www.revenue.ie/en/practitioner/law/double/australia.h tml The effect of the DTA may be summarised as follows: The...

Written Answers — Credit Union Sector: Credit Union Sector (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I engaged in detailed discussions with the credit union representative bodies, ILCU and CUDA, in relation to the Section 35 issue in meetings with each body on two separate occasions in May and June 2010. I also met members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Economic Regulatory Affairs. Having reflected on the views expressed, I introduced at Report Stage of the Central Bank Reform Bill...

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: According to Eurostat, food prices in Ireland were among the highest in Europe when surveyed in 2009. This is reflective of factors including the relatively large import content of processed food and our peripheral geographical location. However, in the twelve months to May 2010, the price of food and non-alcoholic beverages has fallen by 6 per cent in Ireland but remained unchanged on...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 is the latest part of our legislative response to this most serious economic and financial crisis in which regulatory failures played no small part. There are indications that the economy may be over the worst and the latest data provide grounds for optimism about our short-term economic prospects. As the international recovery gains momentum, we should see...

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That was last March. That report is inaccurate, but I do not fault the Senator for that in any way. That was a letter written by the Commission in March. There is no question of any problem. A new plan was submitted at the end of May and the Commission is quite supportive of it. It is not the Senator's fault if he read a report that is not fully accurate.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: He is a former Member of this House.

Seanad: Central Bank Reform Bill 2010: Second Stage (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It has been well covered.