Results 17,961-17,980 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fiscal Policy (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: 44. To ask the Minister for Finance the gross and net fiscal space for each year up to 2023 if the expenditure benchmark and the medium term objective is met accounting for contributions to the rainy day fund, pre-committed expenditure and the non-indexation of tax system irrespective of the economy's position on the business cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46343/18]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Claims Agency (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: 46. To ask the Minister for Finance when he expects the State Claims Agency to make an application to the High Court to seek authorisation to pay compensation to claimants involved in the liquidation of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46346/18]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: State Claims Agency (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: 47. To ask the Minister for Finance the time it takes on average for the State Claims Agency to make payments from the insurance compensation fund following a High Court approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46347/18]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Brexit Negotiations (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: 48. To ask the Minister for Finance if support for Ireland's position in Brexit negotiations will not be conditional on Ireland's position on corporation tax, CCCTB, the digital tax or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46348/18]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Credit Union Lending (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: 49. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to amend the Credit Union Act 1997 to enable credit unions to lend to approved housing bodies rather than invest subject to protections for members' deposits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46349/18]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Data (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: 50. To ask the Minister for Finance if the Central Bank holds data on the number of mortgage drawdowns each year before an organisation (details supplied) began collecting such data; the number of mortgage drawdowns for first-time buyers in each year since 1993; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46350/18]

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Data (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: 300. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the number of loan approvals for house purchases in each year since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46344/18]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: European Monetary Policy: Exchange of Views with Mr. Mario Draghi (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: President Draghi is very welcome. My time is limited so I will get to the point. I want to raise two issues. The first relates to the transmission of monetary policy to the end consumer. As Mr. Draghi knows, in Ireland the end consumer pays very high interest rates on debt. For example, in regard to mortgages, the latest official statistics show the average interest rate paid in Ireland...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: European Monetary Policy: Exchange of Views with Mr. Mario Draghi (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I thank President Draghi and come back on one point regarding the interest rates charged to consumers in Ireland. If I heard him correctly, he described the situation here as one of quasi-monopoly, which is a fair statement. Between them, the two pillar banks in Ireland hold approximately 60% of the mortgage market. Competition is limited and we would like to see new entrants join the...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: It is important to outline the position of the sector because, to the best of my knowledge, there was no consultation between it and the Department. I am concerned about the impact on the tourism industry which has already seen an increase in the lower VAT rate. This change will mean a difference of €600 to €700 per vehicle, a cost that will be passed on to the person who is...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: A figure of €20 million is a lot of money, although I know it is an estimate of the potential yield from this change. The point I ask the Minister to consider over the next two weeks, before Report Stage, is that it is ultimately a further charge on the tourism sector. The Minister has already decided to increase the lower VAT rate, which will generate between €400 million and...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: It is very evident for anybody engaging with people in the haulage sector that there has been quite a significant shift in base of operations abroad. It is very evident from people we interact with and know. The diesel rebate scheme for the haulage sector is approximately five years old at this stage. Will the Minister confirm, if he has not already done so, whether he intends to do a...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: Of what is the Deputy accusing us?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I thought it was a dig at us.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: The real partners.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 152:In page 130, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following:“VAT treatment in respect of children’s footwear and clothes 44.The Minister shall within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report examining the options for reviewing, in respect of children’s footwear and clothes, the size limits that are...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. To be clear, I am not advocating on behalf of any sector or trade interests but on behalf of consumers. I welcome the fact that Revenue has undertaken some work in this area. To recap, the Minister mentioned that contact was made with the ESRI and academics in the area of children's health and nutrition. I think he went on to say contact was then made...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: Did the revenue also consult on footwear or just on clothes sizes?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: All this is based on a child of average measurements. When a child is not of average size, for example, he or she is aged ten years, going on 11, and requires size 6 footwear, whether trainers, football boots or whatever else, VAT is paid at the full rate even though the child is under the age at which such products should cease to be zero-rated. On the basis that the child is not of...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2018: Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2018)

Michael McGrath: I will withdraw it, although I may resubmit it.