Results 34,681-34,700 of 40,550 for speaker:Joan Burton

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: One can gross it up oneself.

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: It is only of interest to rich people to get a certificate.

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: The Minister's reply does not quite reflect the fact that the assessment of these types of schemes is changing. It has changed very dramatically since the recent speech by President Obama in the United States. I said on Committee Stage that it is potentially very valuable to Ireland if the intellectual property elements of investments, particularly by multinationals with other economic...

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: It is regrettable that, although the Government has talked a lot about pension reform, it remains the case that pension products in Ireland cost considerably more than those in comparable jurisdictions. We have some of the highest service costs associated with pension products and many people have lost money recently because much of their pensions are invested in equities. At the moment...

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Yes. The taxpayer pays for the tax breaks, but much of that is recovered by the various investment intermediaries because our costs are higher. From the point of view of cost-benefit analysis, selling pensions is a valuable service, but we need to keep the costs down. I will not go into the subject of the Financial Regulator, but our regulatory system has not been up to scratch in this regard.

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Although the Minister uses quite elegant language, the message remains the same, that people, many of whom are close to the ruling Fianna Fáil Party, have enjoyed extraordinary latitude in their tax affairs. In recent years in particular it has been open to many individuals disposing of interests in companies to go offshore for a period of time to avail of very substantial, legitimate - the...

Finance Bill 2009: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: After the Minister's long lecture, I want to point out that the world has been brought to the brink of financial ruin and this country has hundreds of thousands unemployed. The offshore tax havens and those who are legitimately and legally considered to be offshore for tax purposes have brought the current economic collapse and depression to this point, where the lives of so many individuals...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: When articles appear in a variety of publications and locations, all of which identify a €1,000 house tax-----

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: -----they all came up with a suggested and magical figure of €1,000 in respect of a property tax. The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland and various other institutions also used that figure in their commentaries. Perhaps secret meetings are taking place, funny handshakes are being exchanged and indications are given as to the likely shape policy will take. In any...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 4: In page 5, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: They are in the newspapers and I think the Minister knows them very well. Some thought it was good that the Minister was getting at the public service and were delighted the Minister was imposing the levy. In the halls of Versailles, people have been exclaiming how much punishment Irish people took. We are being feted throughout Europe for not demonstrating but taking it on the chin. I...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: It is about the amendment. Ordinary people need to know what the Minister will do to introduce fairness and address the continuing anomaly of tax exiles. They were delighted to see the levy on the public service, with people on modest incomes in the Civil Service paying a large additional levy. What has happened to tax exiles? Nothing. The chairperson of the Revenue Commissioners...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 2: In page 5, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I thank the Minister for his reply. A role for an independent ombudsman for taxpayers has been developed in a large number of other jurisdictions, including the United States. I have seen such offices in operation in other countries and was impressed. Primarily, such an office is to instil in taxpayers a sense of confidence that the taxation system is fair and that actions by the taxation...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I am pressing it.

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I move amendment No. 3: In page 5, between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following:

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Remarks were attributed to the Minister where he stated that in other countries there would be protests and demonstrations. I spoke to a young family man last night off the Navan Road. He has two children and he just found out this week that his take-home pay has fallen by €350 a month. He asked me if the Government is serious about a property tax of €1,000. He has a modest three or...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: I wonder at times where they were. Were they out doing the organic garden? Maybe the Cabinet has an organic garden and they were out looking after the cauliflowers.

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: Maybe they were doing that. The credibility of politics in Ireland has suffered greatly. Everybody knows sacrifices are required but that young family man on the doorstep is reeling from the €350 he has lost this month and wants to know - and it is a reasonable question - what is the story on such taxes. The Minister has said he will either tax, means test or reduce child benefit. That...

Finance Bill 2009: Report and Final Stages (27 May 2009)

Joan Burton: It is not just about rescuing Fianna Fáil but the country. We need this information to see how we can put together a coherent, fair and just approach to taxation. We still have the people jetting in and out, who are privileged to have made great wealth and have probably created much employment in this country. Everybody says they are great people and good luck to their success. However...