Results 3,241-3,260 of 4,810 for speaker:Liam Twomey

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Yesterday the Minister referred to figures of 10% and 20% in connection with capital gains but I cannot find the exact section dealing with it. It concerned someone writing to the Revenue Commissioners beforehand about a capital gains issue.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Is it a scheme or is it tax avoidance?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Does it not apply to someone who inadvertently does not pay the right tax?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Is it purely for setting up schemes? Does it not apply to someone who, for whatever reason, does not pay the proper taxes?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I wish to comment on Senator Harris's contribution. I have been the subject of a Revenue audit and have had extensive dealings with them. Whereas one is never happy with the outcome, they have always been very easy to deal with.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: There is a defibrillator in the boot of every Garda vehicle, in every fire brigade and in most doctors' surgeries, including my own — and this is tax deductible as a practice expense. That basically leaves community and sporting organisations who are seeking this VAT exemption. It is well within the financial parameters of Government for the HSE to give a grant to the value of the VAT,...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: On the section on stamp duty, were concerns raised with the Minister for Finance regarding abuses of the first-time buyer's grant?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I thank the Minister for coming to the House and for giving of his time. I thank all his officials for all the work they do in preparing this Bill every year. I also thank all Members of the House and the Seanad staff for bearing with us.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Yesterday I spoke about people installing geothermal or solar panels on their houses. Instead of needing to apply for a grant they should be able to get tax relief. When they apply for grant they need to submit the C2 number of the installing contractor. It would be less bureaucratic than giving a grant to people who want to make changes to their lifestyles and improve the environment. It...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I move recommendation No. 9: In page 13, line 22, column 3, to delete "€900" and substitute "€1,540". The amendment seeks an increase in the home carer's tax credit. This issue was debated at length in the Lower House. It is Government policy to encourage both persons in a household into employment. Down through the years, tax reliefs have been altered to ensure households with double...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: As the Minister and I differ only in respect of the timeframe, I will withdraw the recommendation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I move recommendation No. 10: In page 15, line 25, to delete "€2,000" and substitute "€3,000". The issues dealt with in these amendments have been also discussed at length in the Lower House. As a result of some of the changes introduced at budget time, people who are renting are being disadvantaged when compared with first time buyers or those receiving mortgage relief. The amendment...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I move recommendation No. 12: In page 15, before section 8, to insert the following new section: 8.—Part 30 of the Principal Act shall be amended by inserting a new section: "785.—A person who reaches retirement under a Defined Contribution Pension scheme shall from 1st March 2008 not be required to purchase an Annuity unless they do not have an income equivalent to a Non-Contributory...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: The are three groups involved, namely, the self-employed who own their pension funds, those in the public service and Civil Service whose pensions are indexed to their final pay, and employees in the PAYE system who do not own their pensions funds and whose benefits are subject to the whims of what is happening on the stock market on the day they retire. Furthermore, the latter group cannot...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: I received interesting correspondence relating to this section concerning the way in which multinationals operate here. I do not know if the Minister also received such correspondence. It relates to the blocking of a loophole. The individual who raised this issue with me said that if a multinational were recruiting people from aboard, one of the best ways to secure those with the highest...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Will the Minister to send me information on those schemes?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: Can we do something for them before they die?

Seanad: Order of Business (13 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: The backbenchers mouth off a bit and that is about it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: It is interesting that the Bill is now going through the Seanad when the Taoiseach seems to have accepted that it is no longer unpatriotic to talk down the economy because he has acknowledged there are serious difficulties in the economy this year and into 2009. When we vote on this Bill tomorrow, we will be voting to bring an end to the period in Irish life known as the Celtic tiger era....

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008: Second Stage (12 Mar 2008)

Liam Twomey: We may have to wait until Report Stage before we can consider some of the other points made by the Minister in his opening speech. He spoke about making changes to employee share ownership plans and personal pension schemes. The value of private pensions has decreased dramatically over the last 12 months, which is affecting those who are planning to retire over the next few years. I have...