Results 25,721-25,740 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Financial Services Regulation (15 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: The problem is that there is no competition in the mortgage market, in effect. The banks do not want to give out mortgages. The Minister has read some of the statistics in this regard. Guaranteed banks are charging in excess of 5% in interest on their mortgage books. That is the real issue. It warrants a policy intervention. The Minister will be aware of a report that was published by...

Fiscal Policy (15 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister. The reason this question was asked is that it is important we put on record the Government's response to the fiscal advisory council's report. The Government was required to establish the fiscal advisory council under the EU-IMF programme. It has not yet been put on a statutory basis but its work is well under way. I happen to agree with the Minister and with the...

Fiscal Policy (15 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: When will we see the Bill and when will the fiscal advisory council be placed on a statutory footing?

Written Answers — Trade Missions: Trade Missions (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 16: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has a list of proposed trade missions scheduled to be undertaken by the Government in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33639/11]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 63: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money which would be raised in a full year by increasing the top rate of income tax by 1% for persons with income in excess of €100,000 and couples with income in excess of €200,000; the amount of money which would be raised in a full year by increasing the top rate of income tax by 1% for persons with income in excess of...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 64: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money which would be raised in a full year by a combination of increasing the capital acquisitions tax rate to 30% and reducing the exemption thresholds by 10%. [33910/11]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 65: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money which would be raised in a full year by raising the deemed annual distribution of assets in approved retirement funds from 5% to 10% per annum. [33911/11]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 66: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money which would be saved in a full year by reducing income tax relief on pension contributions to the standard income tax rate. [33912/11]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 67: To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of money which would be saved in a full year by reducing income tax relief on pension contributions, for those who pay income tax at the marginal rate, to 30% as opposed to the current 41%. [33913/11]

Written Answers — National Debt: National Debt (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 68: To ask the Minister for Finance the average expected interest rate and total interest payable on the national debt and general government debt in 2012 and 2013. [33917/11]

Written Answers — Fiscal Advisory Council: Fiscal Advisory Council (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 69: To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the work to date of the Fiscal Advisory Council; and if he is satisfied that its composition is sufficiently broad in terms of background and expertise to enable it to fulfil its mandate. [33919/11]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 70: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will provide the breakdown by category of the €600 million carry forward of tax measures for the 2012 budget consolidation process highlighted in the medium term fiscal statement. [33920/11]

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 71: To ask the Minister for Finance in view of the recent issue highlighted in regard to the accounting for the national debt, if the Housing Finance Agency is now entirely funded by the National Treasury Management Agency and does not undertake any short-term debt issuance. [33922/11]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 72: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated annual saving to the Exchequer from reducing the maximum tax free retirement lump sum from €200,000 to €150,000. [33923/11]

Written Answers — School Staffing: School Staffing (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 80: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the reinstatement of two special needs assistant posts withdrawn from a special needs school (details supplied) in County Cork. [33762/11]

Written Answers — Expenditure Reviews: Expenditure Reviews (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 97: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated carry forward from 2011 of current expenditure reductions and the way that this will impact the requirement for €1.45 billion in new current expenditure reductions highlighted in the medium term fiscal statement. [33921/11]

Written Answers — Public Service Remuneration: Public Service Remuneration (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 99: To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost in 2011 of payment of public service pay increments. [33916/11]

Written Answers — Social Welfare Benefits: Social Welfare Benefits (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of households on cumulative welfare support payments of greater than €30,000, €40,000 and €50,000 respectively. [33915/11]

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (10 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 139: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of registered cars in each category based on CO2 emissions; and the number of cars registered in each category based on engine size. [33918/11]

Written Answers — Public Transport: Public Transport (9 Nov 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 16: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts he has made to date to bring about a more diverse bus service provision; his plans to bring in competitive tendering in the bus licensing market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33466/11]