Results 1,681-1,700 of 25,732 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for his response to our recommendation, which is somewhat similar to what the Chancellor proposed yesterday. It would be fair to say, based on the letters sent to pensioners earlier this year, that while the Revenue Commissioners have come a long way in ensuring their forms are more understandable, they also have a long way to go. Many senior citizens found the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I will withdraw the recommendation on that basis. Recommendation, by leave, withdrawn.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I have a few questions on this section. This section effectively removes the tax exemption for the first 36 days of illness benefit and occupational injury benefit. In his statement yesterday, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, said that in some circumstances when an employee goes sick and continues to be paid by the employer, the employee can be better off financially on sick leave...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I thank the Minister for that explanation. Much of what he has said makes sense. We have discussed absenteeism at length and the comparison between absenteeism in the private and public sectors. Effectively, the Minister is saying this section is included in the Bill to deal with public sector short-term sick leave. Is that the situation? Does the Minister see this section having any...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: This in no way, shape or form relates to the ongoing discussions in Government in regard to social welfare payments to employers.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Fine. I will not oppose the section.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I want clarification on this section, which relates to the increase in the imputed income to 5% or 6% for approved retirement funds, ARF, or a vested PRSA in excess of €2 million. The previous Government introduced the imputed annual distribution on approved retirement funds and it makes sense. There are also significant changes to section 18, resulting in the reduction of the allowable...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: That is fine.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Aontaím leis an tSeanadóir Ó Clochartaigh. We have discussed this on many occasions. This is an anti-competitive tax. The Minister mentioned that the Government made a commitment on income tax. It is the Government's choice to decide whether it wants to increase income tax for higher earners or introduce a disproportionate tax such as this one. In recent months in this Chamber and in...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: They are not around anymore.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: It still is.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Does the Department or the Office of the Revenue Commissioners track the excise duty on motor fuel? I am interested in hearing the answer to the question on the proportion of tax taken on a litre of fuel. At budget time, it was stated the cost of a litre was approximately €1.50 or €1.51 but this has increased to €1.68 to €1.70. The international pressures that bring themselves to...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I remind Senators this is the Seanad of the Republic of Ireland. We have no jurisdiction over Northern Ireland. In fairness to Senator Cullinane, I understand why he is getting tired of hearing constant jibes about what is happening in the North. It is irrelevant in the context of what we are doing in this House.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2012 (Certified Money Bill): Committee and Remaining Stages (22 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: The memorandum of understanding agreed a phased increase of VAT to 23% over a two-year period rather than 2% up front. I ask the Minister to review the cut he made to VAT not only for the hospitality sector but also other industries. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, who is wont to make off-the-cuff remarks in this regard, questioned whether the reduced rate...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: On a point of principle, I oppose taking all Stages of the Motor Vehicles (Duties and Licences) Bill 2012 today. It is significant sleight of hand by the Government, as this is the first increase in motor tax duties since 2008 and undoes the vast majority of the work undertaken to reduce motor tax duties on low-emission cars. The Bill provides for significant tax increases in the case of...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I welcome the Government's announcement yesterday of 31 May as the date for the referendum on the fiscal compact. We had a good debate in this House on the issue, which should be followed through with another discussion once the referendum legislation is published. We might be somewhat constrained in terms of the time available. I understand the legislation will come before the Dáil in...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: To me, 5% seems minimal for processing of this charge.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: Senator Conway should calm down for a second.

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: My point is that far fewer than 30% of citizens have paid and by the end of this week, the Government will be lucky to break 50% or 60%. The Minister was able to row back substantially on the septic tank charge registration while under pressure. He has proved that he can look outside Leinster House and then decide to row back on decisions he has made. This is totally unfair. The majority...

Seanad: Order of Business (28 Mar 2012)

Darragh O'Brien: I have asked repeatedly for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to come into this House to update Members truthfully and factually on the position in respect of this household charge. It is causing grave concern and I warn the Government that unless it is dealt with in a reasonable fashion, the scenario of which the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport,...