Results 19,941-19,960 of 33,049 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Ex Post Budget Scrutiny: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (12 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am sure the Deputy is referring to the €1.2 billion in the Brexit contingency framework. If a no-deal Brexit does not happen, the money will not be used for any other purpose and would transfer into an improved surplus position for next year of 0.5% of our national income. We would see a swing from an expected deficit next year of 0.6% of national income to a surplus of 0.5%. We...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Ex Post Budget Scrutiny: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (12 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: There are two different pillars of the potential OECD framework. Pillar 1 relates to taxing where value is created and pillar 2 refers to the requirement for a global minimum effective tax rate. The Deputy referred to our responsibility and Ireland has not received the recognition it has merited for the scale of change we have made to our tax code. Looking forward, I am clear that to...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Ex Post Budget Scrutiny: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (12 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I will answer first the Deputy's questions about demographics and then deal with his questions about equality budgeting. We will absolutely support the committee in any work it plans to do in this area. For 2020 we have provided a sum of €451 million; for 2021, €455 million; and for 2022, €455 million. In my statement to the committee I outlined some of the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Ex Post Budget Scrutiny: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (12 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I was in the Dáil when that issue was raised, I think by the Deputy and another Independent colleague. We have since published the information we had available on the distributional analysis of budget 2020. It is to be found on the Department's website at budget.gov.ie. I will outline the figures for the Deputy. It is estimated that 29% of households will benefit as a result of the...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Ex Post Budget Scrutiny: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (12 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Both Departments have always had on a strictly non-political and neutral basis the ability to cost all proposals from political parties and Independent politicians in advance of a general election. I do not see that work and have no role in it whatsoever. It is overseen by both Secretaries General and that will continue to be available and will be made available in advance of any election....

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Ex Post Budget Scrutiny: Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform (12 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Regarding the multi-annual financial framework, MFF, we will be contributing more to the budget. Later on in the Dáil this week, I will outline some of the issues and questions regarding all of this. The tone among my fellow finance ministers on the topic is very mixed. Many colleagues are resolutely opposed to any increase while a small number are willing to see some increase and...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Michael McGrath. This matter has also been raised with me by Deputy Pearse Doherty. The flat rate expense allowance regime is an administratively-based practice operated by Revenue, where specific commonality of expenditure exists across an employment category and the statutory requirement for a tax deduction for expenses, as set out in section 114 of the Taxes...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am well aware of the numbers of citizens who will be affected by this. I am also aware of the likely effect it will have on their after-tax income. In my letter to the Revenue Commissioners I also asked whether they can give me further clarity on the number of employees covered by this, the various categories of employees, the cost to Revenue and the benefit to each employee group in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Tax Code (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: It is my understanding that these changes are due to come in on 1 January 2020. Regarding my role or that of the Oireachtas, this is a matter for implementation of the tax code by the Revenue Commissioners. As is always the case, I have no doubt that the Deputy and the Opposition will raise the matter directly with me. I do not have the details regarding the bodies with which the Revenue...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I will come in on this matter because a number of the questions were directed at me. Deputy Michael McGrath was good enough to confirm that the measure of my engagement on any particular issue cannot be measured solely on the number of meetings I have. I confirm to the House that I have been directly involved in the completion of each of the steps to which the Minister of State, Deputy...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Insurance Costs (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: With regard to Deputy Pearse Doherty's point, key figures within the insurance industry have given a commitment as to how they will respond when this work is under way. The Government and I intend to hold them to account in that respect.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Aid Investigations (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Ireland has never accepted the Commission's analysis in the Apple state aid decision and is challenging the Commission's decision before the European courts. An application to annul the Commission decision was lodged with the General Court of the European Union. The case was granted priority status and the confidential written proceedings have taken place in private over the last number of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Aid Investigations (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy used the word "deception". On what basis is he making that claim? He asked me how much money is being paid, and I answered him. That €14 billion is a huge amount. As he has a deep understanding of these matters, he knows that in the event of us losing this case, many other countries would immediately challenge Ireland for their perceived share of the €14 billion....

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Aid Investigations (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy alleged that I had committed some form of deception. He is only too quick to challenge the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, whenever he raises any issue with him. By making the charge of deception he is alleging that I am concealing something from the House. I was asked a set of questions about cost, which I have answered transparently, as is my duty to the Deputy. He equally...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Aid Investigations (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I believe that in the event of us losing this case, other jurisdictions will look for access to the money. While I do not believe we will lose the case-----

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Aid Investigations (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: -----the risk of that happening is the very reason the money cannot be spent. This money is not ours. We are not a global tax collector.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: State Aid Investigations (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: We need to defend against this claim.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Budget Contribution (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The MFF was most recently discussed at the October European Council meeting, where leaders exchanged views on key issues such as the overall level of expenditure, the volumes of expenditure in the main policy area, and financing, including revenues and corrections as well as conditionalities and incentives. In light of the discussion, the Council...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Budget Contribution (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Ordinary workers benefit from our membership of the EU. The Deputy asked a question as to the cost consequences of the various scenarios articulated by other member states and I began to outline the answer, the rest of which will be given in written format. If, for example, the ceiling is at 1%, from 2021 the figure will be €2.575 billion, rising to €2.77 billion in 2023. If...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Budget Contribution (13 Nov 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy used the word "burden" in respect of the contribution we will need to make to the EU. It is the case that we will need to make a higher level of payment but this is in the context that Ireland has only recently become a net contributor. For decades, we were a net beneficiary but that has changed, and we now pay in more than we receive. As we look at how we will frame our...