Results 2,741-2,760 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget 2010, presented to the Dáil on 9 December last, set out a multi-annual framework to restore sustainability to the public finances and to reduce the General Government Deficit to below 3% of GDP by end-2014. The Budget delivered an adjustment of €4 billion (21⁄2% of GDP) for 2010 which, given previous adjustments was focused on reductions in expenditure. It included measures to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Department of Finance is responsible for overall policy in relation to Ireland's EU Structural and Cohesion Funds and has primary responsibility for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Cohesion Fund. It plays a central role in the development and management of the programmes/projects through which these Funds are drawn down. Ireland no longer qualifies for Cohesion...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Valuation Office currently employs 67 valuers who, as part of their duties, carry out inspections of commercial and industrial properties. There are no inspections carried out by the Financial Services Ombudsman (FSO). The role of the FSO is to deal with consumer complaints in relation to financial services as provided for by the Central Bank Act 1942 (as amended).

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Revenue Commissioners currently employ 6,091 staff across their nine main business programmes. All of the staff assigned to these programmes support, in varying degrees, the central and overarching programme of "tax collection". The number of staff assigned to the Collector General's Division is 858 and the role of that Division is primarily concerned with regular tax collection, payment...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have no plans to abolish the air travel tax. The air travel tax was one of a number of Budgetary measures introduced recently that was necessary in the context of an overall response to the fiscal challenges we face. I have stated before that the impact of the tax on passenger numbers is being overstated.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in this particular case, a pension from the Construction Industry Federation is subject to tax as are some benefits and pensions from the Department of Social Protection. However, in the case of a married couple aged 65 and over an exemption applies. The exemption for a married couple aged 65 and over is €40,000 per annum for 2010. If the...

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the economy contracted, overall employment fell in 2008 and 2009. While the pace is now slowing, my Department has forecast a further fall in employment in 2010 as well. There is now a broad consensus that economic growth is likely to resume in the second half of this year and continue thereafter. On this basis, we expect net new job creation of about 150,000 jobs between 2010 and 2014.

Written Answers — Tobacco Product Seizures: Tobacco Product Seizures (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax and tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows. The point of display ban entered into force on 1st July 2009. Since that date the number and value of cigarettes seized is as shown on the attached table. These...

Written Answers — Tax Refunds: Tax Refunds (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Value-Added Tax (Refund of Tax) (No 25) Order, 1993 (SI No. 266 of 1993) provides for refunds of VAT to unregistered farmers who have borne tax in relation to outlay on the construction, extension, alteration or reconstruction of any building or structure which is designed for use solely or mainly for the purposes of a farming business, or on...

Written Answers — Tax Refunds: Tax Refunds (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The provision of a tax credit in respect of trade union subscriptions was introduced in the Finance Act, 2001. Arising from the prior need to identify the qualifying trade union members in the most efficient way possible, the tax relief for trade union subscriptions due in respect of the short tax year ended 31 December 2001 was, with the agreement of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions,...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I presume the Deputy is asking about the position with regard to 'pay parity' whereby the pensions of retired public servants have been linked to the pay of the grade from which they retire. I announced in Budget 2010 that the Government would be considering using the Consumer Price Index as the basis for post-retirement increases for both existing and future public service pensioners....

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As Chapter V of the Commission's proposal deals with the treatment of private equity funds, I assume the Deputy is referring to Chapter VII which sets down the specific rules in relation to third countries. This proposal has been the subject of much debate over the past 12 months and text has evolved considerably since the Commission's proposal was published on 30 April 2009. At Ecofin...

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are many who have been alleged to be in that famous tent but I never heard of Goldman Sachs being there. I understood the company has been chaired for some time by a person who is historically more associated with the principal Opposition party, although I do not decry the party for that in any way since the person in question has done the State some service in recent times.

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The markets understand and know this.

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with Deputy Morgan's questions. There are a lot of questions which deserve an answer. I will deal with Deputy Burton and then Deputy Morgan, if that is acceptable to the House. Deputy Burton raised a number of issues but she started with Commissioner Rehn, which is not a bad place to start. She referred to the Financial Times. It is worth reading it today to see what...

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, he did not.

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No he did not. The Deputy would want to read the report. He said, "may". He cannot preclude his options because he is doing a review of every member state which will be concluded and reported on at the meeting in June of the Finance Ministers. It is not a review which is unique to Ireland, rather, it is a review of all of the member states and that is on what he will be reporting in June,...

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If we had not taken those steps-----

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Sorry, Deputy. I am allowed to-----

Euro Area Loan Facility Bill 2010: Committee and Remaining Stages (19 May 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The burden of the Deputy's criticisms of the Government last year was that it was Hoover economics and was deflating the economy, when the reality-----