Results 26,301-26,320 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Order of Business (15 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: In view of the Taoiseach's comments last Monday that NAMA was selling properties back to debtors at low prices, has the Government any legislative plans in this area? That practice is already prohibited. Perhaps he might like to clarify the matter.

Leaders' Questions (15 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: When all the money is gone.

Written Answers — Credit Unions: Credit Unions (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 48: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding stress testing of the credit union sector which was due to be completed by the end of May 2011. [14777/11]

Written Answers — Credit Unions: Credit Unions (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 49: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the plan to underpin the solvency and viability of the credit union sector which under the revised EU-IMF deal was due to be completed by the end of May 2011. [14779/11]

Written Answers — Credit Unions: Credit Unions (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 50: To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding the establishment of a commission on credit unions which was due to be in place by the end of May 2011. [14780/11]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 189: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14773/11]

Written Answers — Medical Cards: Medical Cards (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: Question 193: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding an application for a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [14794/11]

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: I wish to speak to amendments Nos. 31 and 34, which are tabled in my name. The levy on pension funds is deeply unfair and represents a direct attack on people's savings. This is not a tax on interest and neither is it a tax on income. It is, rather, a tax on people's savings and their capital. This may appear to be a clever political ploy because the money involved is beyond people's...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: I have one comment on the issue of ARFs. Can the Minister get access to information on the total value of ARF funds in Ireland? A call to the Pensions Board or to the industry might elicit that information. It would be helpful for all of us to put in context the total value of ARFs in Ireland. Amendments Nos. 9 and 12 deal with the payment date and the chargeable date as such for the...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: We would not be allowed to do that, as the Opposition cannot impose a charge.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: The Minister could table it.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: Deputy Doherty is touching on an important point, the principle of a linkage between the retention of the pension levy and the retention of the initiatives announced by the Government, including the VAT reduction. Is the retention of the pension levy for the full four years linked to the retention of the VAT reduction? Is the Minister ruling out using the funds from the pension levy to fund...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: On the empowerment of the Minister to revoke the travel tax, the thrust of the amendment which I put forward and which was ruled out of order was to seek a reassurance that the ministerial order revoking the travel tax is issued on the basis of a clear commitment from the airlines, first, that the abolition of the travel tax will not be offset by an increase in fares, in other words, that the...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: In regard to the amendments ruled out of order, I hope I will learn by experience which types of proposals conform with the rules. The Government's promise to reduce the lower VAT rate from 13.5% to 12% was welcomed not least because it would be applicable to the VAT payable on electricity, gas and fuel. The Government has since changed its mind, however, and decided instead to target a...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 1: In page 3, before section 1, to insert the following new section: "1.—The Minister for Finance shall within two months from the passing of this Act, and every two months thereafter, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report setting out the number of jobs created as a result of each taxation measure provided for by this Act and the number of jobs created as a...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister for his reply. The key question is how, if additional jobs are created, as we all hope they will be, one separates whether the additional employment created is directly as a result of the initiatives in this Bill or whether it is attributed to a general economic upturn, which we hope manifests itself here and throughout Europe this year and into next year. One can point...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the Minister's commitment to having some commentary on the impact of this initiative in the pre-budget outlook, particularly of the VAT reduction. This is important. I had intended to ask the Minister what internal reporting mechanisms he would have to assess this on an ongoing basis. Whatever about publishing formal reports, I am sure the Department will assess the impact of...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: I have one brief question. The Minister stated that given the scale of the budgetary adjustment required this year and next year, he will not rule out increases in any form of taxation. Does that include income tax?

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: That contradicts what has been said.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2011: Committee and Remaining Stages (9 Jun 2011)

Michael McGrath: The Minister opened it up.