Results 23,761-23,780 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Finance Bill 2013: Report Stage (Resumed) (13 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: Try buying them.

Finance Bill 2013: Report Stage (13 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: On a related matter, when does the Minister expect the legislation to enact the change he announced on budget day in respect of the €60,000 limit? Is that expected in the autumn?

Finance Bill 2013: Report Stage (13 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I have studied the two reports referred to and on that basis, I withdraw the amendment.

Finance Bill 2013: Report Stage (13 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 3:In page 23, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following: "17.—The Minister for Finance shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the provision of early access to pension benefits in certain limited circumstances including employer paid contributions, regular employee contributions,...

Finance Bill 2013: Report Stage (13 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for acknowledging that the increase to 26 weeks in paid maternity leave was a very positive move. We can be proud that this is one of the countries leading the way on the issue of treating women well when they are pregnant and giving birth. The Minister has stated this change will yield €40 million in a full year. Is there any estimate of how much would be saved...

Finance Bill 2013: Report Stage (13 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 1:In page 12, to delete lines 32 to 42 and in page 13, to delete lines 1 to 14.We had a good discussion last week on Committee Stage. No guillotine was needed because we got through our business ahead of time. I acknowledge the manner in which the debate was approached by the Minister, Deputy Noonan, the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, and their officials. We...

Leaders' Questions (13 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: If the by-election is put off, they might get something done.

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Greenhouse Gas Emissions (12 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his views on sectorial targets for climate change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12686/13]

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I understood that a member must signal explicitly if he does not have an amendment tabled on Committee Stage on a given issue. Is that not the case?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: Is the Minister not exempt from that rule of having to signal?

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister of State, the Minister and their officials for the late evening yesterday and for all the work that has gone into the Bill. It is a pity we could not have done the same with the Finance (Local Property Tax) Bill, but we have had a proper debate on this Bill.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 97: In page 142, before section 88, to insert the following new section: “88.—The Minister shall within 3 months from the passing of this Act prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on a cost-benefit analysis of tax expenditures provided for by this Act, setting out the costs of tax foregone, and the benefits in terms of job creation or...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: People want to know where all of this is heading. Something will have to give eventually. The rate of increase in health insurance premium costs is unsustainable and people are not going to continue to be able to afford it, notwithstanding the sacrifices they have been prepared to make to maintain their health insurance cover. The percentage covered is still relatively high despite the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: It is a good debate. On the one hand, there is a formal review and on the other, information. We are speaking in the dark to a large extent. Our assessment of the information might lead to a call for a review but we do not start with a review. Could the Minister of State give an undertaking that the committee would be provided with information on the key metrics that have been raised, not...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: This relates to the increase in stamp duty levy applied to health insurance policies. I know this was the subject of a two-night debate during Private Members' business over the past two evenings. I did not get to follow all of it because we were dealing with this Bill. The effect of section 80 means that the levy alone will represent €940 on the renewal subscription for a health...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: As the Minister knows, the motor industry is in real difficulty. It welcomed the change in the registration system. It remains to be seen how that will work out. I hope it will result in a more even spread of sales throughout the year. The early figures for 2013 are extremely weak. It is projected that approximately 70,000 vehicles will be sold over the course of the year. I have grave...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I also oppose the section. I acknowledge that the extension of carbon tax to solid fuels has been in the pipeline for some time. However, the reality is that it will affect the poorest. More people are lighting a fire at home and turning off the central heating system because they cannot afford to use it. They are relying on the natural fire. We have been advised that increasing the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Finance Bill 2013: Committee Stage (Resumed) (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: I concur with Deputy Twomey. The core argument of the Irish Cancer Society is that tobacco firms are piggy-backing on increases in excise to inflate their profit levels. The society has done significant work in making proposals that appear credible and, as such, they are worthy of serious examination. If the Minister is not prepared to accept them this year, I ask him to ensure work is...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Schools Numbers (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of two teacher primary schools that currently have 21 or more but less than 26 students enrolled; the patronage details for these schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11985/13]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector Remuneration (7 Mar 2013)

Michael McGrath: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has received a copy of the Mercer report on remuneration in the banking sector; the date on which he intends to present the report to Cabinet; his plans for publishing the report; the timetable he envisages for implementation of its recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12249/13]