Results 18,841-18,860 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Laundering (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling fuel fraud, that they are very aware of the risks posed to consumer's vehicles, legitimate businesses and the Exchequer by all forms of fuel fraud. Revenue has, since last summer, received reports from a variety of locations around the country of problems...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services Regulation (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I understand that the Deputy is referring to the case of Custom House Capital (CHC) which is now in liquidation. The Central Bank's investigation into CHC and persons concerned in its management has been on-going since the publication of the Final Report to the High Court by Court Appointed Inspectors dated 19 October 2011.  Upon presentation of the Final Inspectors' Report to the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that following contact with them by the person concerned in January 2012, his tax credits were increased in the light of the information he provided and which information he was to have confirmed in writing by the Department of Social Protection (DSP).  He failed to subsequently provide this written confirmation. In February 2015, following...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Income Inequality (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I note the report by the Think-Tank for Social Change (TASC) and their views on inequality in Ireland.  While inequality is an important issue, not just for Ireland but globally, the Deputy should be aware that the TASC report identifies high levels of inequality in respect of market incomes. When inequality in Ireland is looked at in terms of disposable income,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Operations (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 to 237, inclusive, together. It is the responsibility of the banks to ensure the efficient running of the ATM network and for ensuring that ATMs are sufficiently maintained and have adequate levels of cash in them. In regard to Question No. 237, ref. 7959, the National Payments Plan,...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Resources (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue currently has three mobile scanner systems. Two of these are mobile x-ray container scanning systems that are based at Dublin Port and Rosslare Ferry Port respectively. Both of these scanners are available for deployment at other ports, and at other locations such as warehouses, as required, and Revenue uses them, on the basis of risk...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Rebates (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they are statutorily debarred from making repayments of tax outside of the four year period from the end of the tax year in respect of which the tax was paid, other than in very specific circumstances (for example, where there is a factual error in a tax computation). Equally, Revenue can not seek payment of tax from a taxpayer outside of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners Investigations (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in the light of the information available to them and the information now provided they will make contact with the person concerned to clarify the position.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Pensions Reserve Fund Investments (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will already be aware that the assets of the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF) became assets of the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) on 22 December 2014, except for assets governed by foreign law which remain NPRF assets until their transfer. The ISIF will be used to make commercial investments that support economic activity and employment in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Laundering (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy will appreciate that it is inherently difficult to estimate the scale of any illegal activity or the impact of that activity on the Exchequer. The Revenue Commissioners advise me that, while there is no reliable estimate of the extent of illegal activity in the fuel sector, they recognise that fuel fraud, including the laundering of markers from rebated fuel, is a significant...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fuel Rebate Scheme (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I introduced this scheme in the Finance Act 2013 in order to provide for a repayment to qualifying road haulage and bus operators of a part of the mineral oil tax paid on their purchases of auto-diesel for use in the course of business. In order to address the risk of widespread abuse of the scheme, provision was made for certain restrictions on the means by which the auto-diesel concerned...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fiscal Policy (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: My officials are in regular engagement with the Commission on the interpretation and implementation of fiscal rules, including through the Output Gap Working Group and the Alternates sub-committee of the Economic & Financial Committee. The Expenditure Benchmark will formally apply to Ireland once we enter the preventive arm of the Stability & Growth Pact. In terms of the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Stability and Growth Pact (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: After Ireland corrects its EDP in 2015, it will enter the preventive arm of the Stability & Growth Pact from 2016 onwards. This will mean that Ireland will be subject to a series of fiscal rules, including the achievement of our Medium Term Objective (MTO) through the annual improvement in the structural balance and the Expenditure Benchmark. In developing Budget 2016, Ireland will...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Credits (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the application for SPCC has been approved in respect of person concerned. The increased tax credit will be reflected in a revised tax credit certificate that will be sent to the person concerned shortly.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Mortgage Interest Rates (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy may be aware that this is a topic that has been raised through previous parliamentary questions and was subject to lengthy discussions at the most recent meetings of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform with the banks' CEOs.  At the Committee the banks pointed out that in comparing the SVR mortgage margin of Irish banks to other...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Department of Defence make the appropriate deductions of tax, USC and PRSI under the PAYE system on the making of payments to members of the Army and Naval Service Reserve.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 to 253, inclusive, together. Section 195 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA 1997) empowers the Revenue Commissioners to make a determination that certain artistic works are original and creative works generally recognised as having cultural or artistic merit. The scheme provides that the Revenue Commissioners can make determinations in respect of...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: In response to the Deputy's question I am not aware of a proposal to require all public sector workers under the aegis of my Department who interface with service users to wear a name badge.  In the interest of improving customer service standards I am open to consideration of such a proposal. As the Deputy will be aware some bodies under my aegis, have little or no direct contact with...

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces Reserve (24 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Department of Defence makes the appropriate deductions of tax, USC and PRSI under the PAYE system on the making of payments to members of the Army and Naval Service Reserve.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Cycle to Work Scheme Administration (25 Feb 2015)

Michael Noonan: The purpose of the cycle to work scheme is to encourage more employees to cycle to and from work, or between work places, thereby contributing to lowering carbon emissions, reducing traffic congestion and improving health and fitness levels. Under the scheme an employer may provide an employee with a bicycle and/or cycle safety equipment without the employee being liable for benefit-in-kind...