Results 1,501-1,520 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Commission of Inquiry into Banking Sector: Statements (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: You were robbing the banks at that time.

Commission of Inquiry into Banking Sector: Statements (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I did not refer to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The public service obligation levy (PSO levy) is charged to all electricity customers. It is designed to support the national policy objectives of security of energy supply, the use of indigenous fuels (i.e. peat) and of renewable energy sources in electricity generation. Specifically, the proceeds of the levy are used to recoup the additional costs incurred by ESB and other suppliers in...

Written Answers — Departmental Functions: Departmental Functions (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: At this stage, I cannot give the Deputy a precise date for the completion of all of the changes to the structures of Government Departments which were announced by the Taoiseach on 9 March as this depends on a number of factors, including the complexity of the legislation governing the particular functions that are to be transferred. The process of transferring functions from one Department...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that there is insufficient information contained in the Deputy's request to enable them to trace the record in this case. An official from the Revenue Commissioners Stamping District will contact the Deputy in order to assist him with his enquiry.

Written Answers — Banking Sector Restructuring: Banking Sector Restructuring (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy is aware, on 31 March 2011, I announced a radical restructuring of the Irish banking system. This new domestic banking system will have two universal full-service banks as its core pillars, serving the Irish economy and the Irish people. This restructuring process will, over time, return the banking system to long-term viability and profitability. Key objectives which I have set...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The air travel tax yielded €105m in 2010. Budget 2011 introduced a single air travel tax rate of €3 with effect from 1 March on a temporary basis, replacing the €2 and €10 distance related rates, in conjunction with a DAA incentive scheme. This reduction is estimated to cost the Exchequer €56m in tax this year. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to abolish the...

Written Answers — Civil Service Staff: Civil Service Staff (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: It is the position that privilege days no longer pertain in the civil service and have been incorporated into the annual leave allowance of civil servants. In the context of a more integrated public service, as set out in the Public Service Agreement 2010 – 2014, the issue of standardising annual leave arrangements across the public service is being considered by my Department.

Written Answers — Civil Service Staff: Civil Service Staff (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will be aware, primary responsibility for recording and managing sick leave rates is the responsibility of individual Departments and Offices, while the development of policy is a matter for my Department. In late 2009 the Comptroller and Auditor General published a Special Report on Sickness Absence in the Civil Service. That Special Report showed that sickness absence rates...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I have not made contact with the US regulatory authorities regarding the matter the Deputy refers to. The Deputy may however be aware that on 21 December 2010, the ECB announced a prolongation of US dollar liquidity-providing operations via its swap arrangements with the Federal Reserve until 1 August 2011. These dollar liquidity-providing operations take the form of repurchase operations...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The person* who is the subject of the Deputy's question has been seconded from the Central Bank to the Department of Finance with effect from the end of last month. As the requirement for senior staff has increased, the person concerned brings with him considerable relevant experience and expertise. He has been assigned to oversee the recently announced restructuring of the banking sector...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together. Arrangements for the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure are being put in place by the relevant officials. It has been agreed by Government that each Department will undertake a root and branch evaluation of both their own expenditure and that of bodies within their remit, under the general oversight of a Steering Committee of senior...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The Government has committed in the Programme for Government to introduce a Jobs Initiative. Included in this initiative is a commitment to lower the 13.5% reduced rate of VAT to 12% up to the end of 2013. The exact terms of this Jobs Initiative will be announced in the forthcoming weeks.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The full extent of the potential tax changes which may be introduced as part of the forthcoming Jobs Initiative is still under consideration. In line with accepted practice, I do not intend to comment on those changes in advance of their disclosure to this House.

Written Answers — Property Valuations: Property Valuations (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I am assuming that the question relates to the compilation of a property valuations database that would be publicly available. The Programme for National Government contains a commitment to improve the quality of information available on the housing market by requiring that the selling price of all dwellings be recorded in a publicly available national housing price database. I am informed...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland does not include a reverse benchmarking exercise to reduce public sector pay. No proposal for such an exercise has been made and accordingly the participation or assistance of my officials does not arise.

Written Answers — Irish Government Bonds: Irish Government Bonds (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 86 together. I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA), which is responsible for borrowing on behalf of the Government and the management of the National Debt, that the most recent issuance of Irish Government bonds by the Agency took place by auction in September 2010. This completed a programme of bond funding by the NTMA which...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: The position is that, on the basis of the legislation as enacted, all relevant emoluments made on or after 1 January 2011 are subject to the Universal Social Charge irrespective of the period to which they relate. The Revenue Commissioners has provided detailed information on the Universal Social Charge in the form of Frequently Asked Questions. This issue is dealt with at number 4.19 of...

Written Answers — Tax Reliefs: Tax Reliefs (21 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: There are at present no plans to amend the Cycle To Work scheme. Similar to the travel pass scheme, an employer and employee may enter into a salary sacrifice arrangement whereby the employee agrees to forego part of his or her salary to cover the costs associated with the purchase of the bicycle/safety equipment. In such circumstances, the employee will not be liable to tax or PRSI or...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (21 Apr 2011)

Michael Noonan: Finance Act 2011 reduced the rate of Stamp Duty on residential property to 1% on properties valued up to €1m and 2% on the balance of any transaction in excess of €1m. As part of this change, a number of reliefs and exemptions were abolished to broaden the tax base and to commence the necessary infrastructure for the commitment in the Memorandum of Understanding with the ECB, EU and IMF...