Results 26,701-26,720 of 32,583 for speaker:Richard Bruton

Tax Yield. (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Is the Minister aware that the number of visitors to Ireland has fallen by approximately 700,000 since the introduction of the air travel tax? Contrary to what the Minister suggests, the information I have seen demonstrates that Ireland has moved from being one of the fastest growing destinations to now being among those worst hit by the reversal. Has the Minister had sight of the study...

Tax Yield. (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Is the Minister aware the Belgian, Dutch, Greek and Spanish Governments all have removed such taxes in an effort to try to stimulate their respective tourism sectors? Furthermore, is he aware that many Irish airlines are moving their aircraft out of Ireland to other destinations to achieve cheaper onward movement? As the Minister is aware, even Aer Lingus is doing this and effectively is...

Departmental Agencies. (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: The Minister correctly indicated that what Ireland is trying to achieve or must achieve now is the equivalent of a devaluation. We must do it by pushing down wages, prices, fees and charges. I wish to put two simple suggestions to the Minister. Would he consider leading this by at least agreeing to a freeze on every charge made by the State, so that no charge would be increased by the...

Departmental Agencies. (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: What about landlords? Do they not have a responsibility too?

Departmental Agencies. (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: They are household rents. I am referring to commercial rents for businesses.

Tax Code. (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Will the Minister comment on the proposal by the Commission on Taxation to move to a more economic definition of where people's interests lie as a basis for deciding whether they pay tax? Would that offer an opportunity to trap the tax of some very prominent individuals whose business interests are predominantly in Ireland and who ought to be paying tax here?

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 101: To ask the Minister for Finance the details of the pilot programme in shared services and in outsourcing that are under way; and the estimated saving anticipated in total as a proportion of the original cost. [45147/09]

Written Answers — Debt Management: Debt Management (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 91: To ask the Minister for Finance if he has established a team within his Department to evaluate policy initiatives to address the debt problems of ordinary householders; if they have set out a work programme with target dates for reporting to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45169/09]

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 100: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made to date in 2009 in the rationalisation of agencies announced in budget 2009; the savings generated to date in 2009 in each case and the source of the savings; the number of persons who have retired or relocated; and the value of savings and staff reduction as a proportion of the original provision. [45146/09]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 102: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated yield from the carbon tax; the estimated absolute and percentage increase in the price of each product affected; his estimate of the expenditure by persons of pension age and of the lowest income cohort on these products in total and as a percentage of their income. [45148/09]

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 103: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated yield from the health levy and the income levy in 2009; and his estimate of the carry-over increase into extra yield in 2010 from the changes made in the course of 2009 to these levies. [45149/09]

Written Answers — Hospital Charges: Hospital Charges (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 136: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the changes made on drug refund and on casualty attendance on a bed night in a public, private or semi private ward; and the provisions she has made for changes to these charges in the pre-budget estimates. [45153/09]

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 180: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the estimated yield from employers PRSI and total PRSI in 2009. [45149/09]

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 190: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the provisions she has made in the 2010 pre budget estimates for a change in the thresholds or ceilings for social insurance payments. [45151/09]

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 206: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the relationship between the special protection order process and the strategic infrastructure legislation providing for fast tracking developments in a case (details supplied). [45134/09]

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 241: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the current income limit for higher education grant and the value of grants payable; and if he has made any provisions in the 2010 no policy change estimates for changes in the income thresholds of payment. [45150/09]

Written Answers — Third Level Fees: Third Level Fees (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: Question 242: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the value of the college registration fee; and the provisions he has made in the pre budget estimates for changing this charge. [45152/09]

Order of Business (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: All the Tánaiste's colleagues have taken to the lifeboats.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: On a point of order, I honestly believe it is a serious discourtesy to the House, which is about to debate the extension of a €4 billion guarantee to the banking sector, that a Minister of State is sent to deal with it.

Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) Scheme 2009: Motion (3 Dec 2009)

Richard Bruton: That is no reflection on the Minister of State, but he does not have discretion on behalf of the Government to offer changes in any of the details of this scheme. We are having a meaningless debate because whatever the Opposition says, the Minister of State does not have the discretion to alter anything. There is no point in having those sort of debates. From the outset, the banking crisis...