Results 3,481-3,500 of 8,976 for speaker:Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Seanad: Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund Regulations 2016: Motion (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Sinn Féin recognises the importance of the horse racing and greyhound racing industries to Ireland and notes the cultural and economic benefits they contribute to the country, as well as the enjoyment they provide to many.Our concern is with the level of funding and the manner in which it is used when we consider far more needy areas where the funds could be used. For example, €7...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I move amendment No. 3: In page 11, line 23, after “applicant” to insert “and place of production”. The Bill provides a legislative framework for SMEs involved in research and development activities in Ireland to avail of a reduced corporation tax rate of 6.25%. My party has serious reservations about efforts to further reduce the State's income from corporation...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I wish to respond to the comment made by Senator Reilly.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Yes. I thank the Cathaoirleach.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I do not understand where Senator Reilly is coming from in terms of dictating the location. My amendment seeks to identify the locations where companies avail of a reduced corporation tax. If my amendment interferes with the ability of the controller to issue a certificate, then there are other ways in which the Minister can assure this House that she will have accountability. Can she tell...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Perhaps the Minister's advisers can help her in this. When the scheme is in place will the citizens of this State be able to see what companies availed of this incentive and where they are located? Will that be public information?

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: If there are issues around protecting the product surely it can be noted that X company, located in Y, received a tax write-off of X. Can that be provided?

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Based on what I have heard, I will certainly not be withdrawing it.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I appreciate that. Paragraph 12(2)(a) refers to "the name of the applicant" and paragraph 12(2)(b) refers to "the address, principal office, or principal place of business, in the State, of the applicant". That is fairly transparent. Paragraph 12(2)(c) refers to "the title of the invention in sufficient detail ...". Everything in is place. Therefore, what is the issue about the place of...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: With respect, I have not finished yet. There is a lot of controversy about corporation tax in Ireland. A report produced in recent days does not read well for the State. I believe in incentivising research and development considering its importance but very tight controls and accountability are needed in this regard to instil public confidence. That is what the amendment seeks to do. I...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is fair enough.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I move amendment No. 4:In page 13, to delete line 13. Section 17 relates to confidentiality and the keeping of records. Sinn Féin considers that line 13 as referred to in the amendment and which relates to the provision permitting the controller to keep such records as he or she considers appropriate, should be deleted so that all records would be kept in the interests of...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Yes, on the basis of the fact that the Minister is prepared to review it. She gets what our concern is.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I move amendment No. 5:In page 14, line 22, to delete "the Minister" and substitute "the Dáil". Due to the nature of this legislation and the reduction in corporation tax, reports in writing on its operation should come before the Dáil and the Houses and not the Minister. The Minister will see clearly the intent of the amendment.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I apologise; I had not spoken to two of the amendments in the group.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There are two amendments I have not spoken to yet.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I appreciate that. I will speak to amendments Nos. 7 and 8. The rationale behind amendment No. 7 is that it seeks to delete the following section, which states that nothing in this subsection shall be construed as requiring the controller to include information, the inclusion of which would in the opinion of the controller be likely to prejudice the performance of the controller's functions...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I fundamentally disagree. I cannot see any reason the report cannot be released to the Dáil. Why would something be given to a Minister and it would not be considered appropriate to give it to the Dáil or both Houses? We will not agree on that. In terms of the independence of the office, the courts are independent but one can appeal a decision. Just because a body is...

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Yes, I do.

Seanad: Knowledge Development Box (Certification of Inventions) Bill 2016: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2016)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am entitled to push it to a vote, yes.