Results 19,181-19,200 of 27,019 for speaker:Michael Noonan

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: EU Budget Issues (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: I always listen to the advice of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, which is independent and gives its advice freely without any influence of the Government being brought to bear on it. We will follow the same approach on this occasion. It is a long way to the budget but we will be laying out the parameters of where I think the economy is going to go in the spring statement. The Deputy...

Other Questions: Petrol Stretching (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling fuel fraud, that they are very aware of the risks posed to consumers' vehicles, legitimate businesses and the Exchequer by all forms of fuel fraud. The Revenue Commissioners have, since last summer, received reports from a variety of locations around the country of problems relating to petrol quality, and suggestions...

Other Questions: Petrol Stretching (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: We must distinguish between what may have occurred as a result of negligence and what may have occurred as a result of fraud. In the test carried out by the Revenue Commissioners in the State Laboratory, 345 samples were tested. Only in two samples is there clear evidence of petrol stretching as defined. There is no economic point or any economic advantage in mixing diesel with petrol, yet...

Other Questions: Petrol Stretching (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: I never said that.

Other Questions: Petrol Stretching (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: I do not have the data to which the Deputy refers. It is news to me that complaints have been made to the Garda Síochána about petrol stretching which have not been passed on to Revenue.

Other Questions: Petrol Stretching (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: The Deputy has raised it, but if he has a file on it ,he might provide it and we will give it to the Revenue Commissioners.

Other Questions: Petrol Stretching (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: We will let the Revenue Commissioners investigate, if there is a way to do so. One of the central points in my reply to the Deputy's question is that if there is no fraud or if there is no intention of fraud, it is outside the legal powers of the Revenue Commissioners. They pursue fraud and criminal offences. If there is no evidence of a criminal offence and if it looks as if there was...

Other Questions: Petrol Stretching (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: It is not for Revenue to sort it.

Other Questions: Banking Sector Regulation (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: I can confirm that I last met the CEOs and senior management of the each of the banks last July when we discussed, among other matters, the issues included in the Deputy's question. I also met the CEO of Permanent TSB in the past month. In addition to my own meetings with the banks, officials in my Department meet senior management of each of the banks each month at least. The agendas for...

Other Questions: Banking Sector Regulation (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: There is a relationship framework in place, the details of which the Deputy is fully aware of. My officials meet the banks every month. They are sometimes in daily contact with them on specific issues. Otherwise it is weekly contact. I work with my officials who brief me and I give them my view. I transmit views to the banks through my officials. There is merit in doing it on a...

Other Questions: Banking Sector Regulation (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: Those are just accusations of a personal nature. When the Deputy cannot make any ground in a logical argument, it is an attempt to introduce some kind of smear.

Other Questions: Banking Sector Regulation (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: I meet the appropriate people. There is nobody at any senior level in any of the banks who does not know that what is being done is being monitored very closely by the Department of Finance and me.

Other Questions: Tax Code (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: In the 2015 budget, I introduced the new document, A Road Map for Ireland's Tax Competitiveness, to update the objectives set out in the 2013 international tax strategy and to set out a clear path for this country's tax competitiveness into the future. The roadmap set out a comprehensive package of measures designed to reposition Ireland to reap the benefits of sustainable foreign direct...

Other Questions: Tax Code (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: Over a number of years, a number of European countries have had patent boxes, which were designed so that intellectual property would be attracted to the countries that had such patent boxes. Patent boxes became controversial and there were discussions within Europe and driven by the OECD to abolish patent boxes completely. Two years ago, I would have said that I did not foresee these being...

Other Questions: Tax Code (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: We are open to submissions from interested parties and there is a consultative process. Currently, I do not see a need to distinguish between indigenous and inward-investment companies. If the incentives are available through the tax system for research and development, they should apply equally. I cannot see what added advantage could be designed for indigenous companies.

Other Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: Borrower engagement with a bank, including the local branch, is very important in dealing with mortgage arrears. I am informed by the Central Bank that under the code of conduct on mortgage arrears, CCMA, lenders must establish a centralised, dedicated and adequately staffed arrears support unit, ASU, to manage cases under the mortgage arrears resolution process. It is the responsibility of...

Other Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: The arrears support unit, ASU, in accordance with the code of conduct on mortgage arrears, CCMA, has responsibility to assess a borrower's standard financial statement, SFS, and recommend the most appropriate course of action to eliminate mortgage arrears over time. The CCMA requires each branch to have at least one person with specific responsibility for dealing with arrears and pre-arrears...

Other Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: We are continuing to review the position, and we review it on an ongoing basis. The essential element of restructuring is agreement between the two sides. If there is no agreement, there can be no restructuring. There is a menu of arrangements available, not all of which are working as well as others. The enormity of the problem was such that it could not have been resolved at local...

Other Questions: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister for Finance, to comment on actions taken by any company in relation to specific employees. While I cannot provide legal advice on possible courses of action available to individuals who consider that they have been unfairly dismissed, I would advise such individuals to seek appropriate legal advice. ...

Other Questions: Protected Disclosures in the Public Interest (1 Apr 2015)

Michael Noonan: I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Governor of the Central Bank.