Results 29,581-29,600 of 34,778 for speaker:Seán Fleming

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: 1638. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the deficit in the Córas Iompair Éireann pension scheme; if he understands this scheme to be a defined contribution scheme or the defined benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37445/13]

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Pension Provisions (18 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: 1639. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the deficit in the Dublin Airport Authority pension scheme; if he understands this scheme to be a defined contribution scheme or the defined benefit scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37446/13]

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I would like to make a final comment. We have had 36 groups in here over the last two days, which is a phenomenal workload. I would like to thank the representatives of all the organisations that came before the committee. They were very concise and to the point. I would also like to thank the secretariat staff who produced a summary of each of the 36 submissions. That was outstanding...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Yes. Thank you.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank the witnesses for their attendance and concise, professional presentations. We received their full documentation in advance. Special needs assistance in schools is becoming more difficult, and for children with autism, with pressures on the education budget. The witnesses might comment on that. I am beginning with the younger people. Getting people with disabilities who are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: As Dr. Healy did not comment on the targeted redundancy programme, I take it that the Irish Congress of Trade Unions has no comment to make on the Government's plans to reduce public sector numbers. That was the main question I put to its representatives.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Is the Irish Congress of Trade Unions satisfied with the numbers otherwise? We all agree there should be no compulsory redundancy, and I do not believe anyone in these Houses would suggest that. Is the Irish Congress of Trade Unions happy with the targeted redundancy programme as announced?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (Resumed) (12 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank our guests for coming before us and for making very professional and concise presentations. When time is limited, it is sometimes easier to get into discussing the detail of a particular matter rather than rambling on. That is probably a lesson for us, as politicians. My first question is directed to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Reference was made to maintaining primary...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: On the question of the legal professional privilege which Mr. Keegan mentioned, if accountants give advice and are aware of a client’s tax-avoidance scheme, they must inform the Revenue. The same happens if it is provided by a member of the legal profession.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: In some of the big firms, which would have both legal and accountancy staff, could the accountants devise a scheme, give it to a solicitor and let the solicitor talk to the client to ensure the information is privileged and they do not have to report it? I am concerned about how the reply came back to me. Could Mr. Keegan deal with the avoidance of the accountants being in the loop because...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Does Mr. Keegan understand the complication I have just raised? In a big firm, the accountant could be involved in the scheme that might require mandatory disclosure of information, but if the information has been committed to the client by a member of the legal profession in the same firm as opposed to an accountant, there is legal privilege.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: It is the same old story as when the tobacco industry researched whether nicotine is addictive. It was always conducted by the legal profession and all the information they gathered was subject to legal privilege. I would be concerned. Is there a concern or am I overreaching it?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: The witnesses would be keeping quiet about it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank Mr. Dillon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Yes. It was mentioned that CCAB-I needs some changes to the appeals process.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: Is there a big delay there?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I thank Mr. Keegan.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I wish to make a few comments regarding the accountancy bodies. I note their submission and have to hand a summary recommending that no new taxes or tax increases should be introduced for the foreseeable future and they make the point that this is probably an important statement in respect of the budget. However, when considering the summary of the bodies' submission, at first glance I can...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: That will be carried forward.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Overview of 2014 Pre-Budget Submissions: Discussion (11 Sep 2013)

Seán Fleming: I will make a few observations and pose a few questions, if I may, following the sequence of the presentations. Turning first to Chambers Ireland, there seems to be agreement that the adjustment should be €2.6 billion rather than €3.1 billion. Chambers Ireland argues that the adjustment should all be by way of expenditure cuts. I would be happier had they been here to listen...