Results 4,181-4,200 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The information requested by the Deputy is in the following table. Website Address Website name Users Maintenance Costs 2009 http://www.finance.gov.ie Department of Finance Web site 592,0681 €5,800 plus VAT http://www.budget.gov.ie Publication of Annual Budget 576,9902 €0 – Hosted and Maintained in-house http://www.gov.ie Government of Ireland 143,7983 €0 – Hosted and...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant historical information available on the incomes of employees taxed under the PAYE system is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2007 representing about 96% of all returns expected at the time the data were complied for analytical purposes. On this basis the numbers of persons classified as public...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no overall total available in relation to the numbers of commuters who claimed tax relief on annual travel cards in 2009. However, figures supplied by the main public transport providers (Irish Rail, Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Luas) show that the number of annual Travel Passes they provided numbered approximately 29,212 in 2009.

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There is no civil service circular with the reference number given. It is a well established principle that the pay of work sharers and those on atypical work patterns is calculated by reference to the whole time equivalent pay rate for the grade or post in question and the reduced pay rates are, therefore, calculated in this way. This practice is consistent with the legislation governing the...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Prices set in the public sector make up only about four per cent of the basket of goods and services used in compiling the Consumer Price Index (or CPI). Accordingly, changes in these prices have little impact on the CPI. Public sector prices make up a much smaller component of the CPI than in the past. This is because following privatisation of services such as telecoms and energy, these...

Written Answers — Public Sector Pay: Public Sector Pay (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 48643/09 and 2047/10 which were taken together and answered on Tuesday 19 January 2010. The text of the reply as follows: "The definition of a public servant in the legislation governing the pension levy and the pay reductions is the same. Therefore, in general the reductions in pay under the Financial Emergency Measures in the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, in general, three scenarios may arise. Scenario A Only one spouse is entitled to the State pension (contributory) and such spouse receives an increased amount in respect of his/her adult dependant. In this scenario, there is only one State pension and therefore only one PAYE tax credit is due against such pension (assuming, of course, that such...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that under section 132 of Finance Act 1992 vehicle registration tax (VRT) is chargeable, leviable and payable on the registration of vehicles in the State. There is no provision in law for an exemption from, or reduction in, the charge to VRT in relation to vehicles that were previously...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While I regret the closure of any bank branches the Deputy will no doubt appreciate that the provision of services by banks, including the location of branches, is a commercial decision for the banks. The Deputy might wish to note that there is a provision in the Financial Regulators Consumer Protection Code which imposes certain obligations on banks who have decided to close or move a branch...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Freedom of Information Act (FOI), which covered 67 public bodies when it commenced in April 1998, now applies to over 500 bodies across the public sector. My Department periodically reviews the range of bodies covered by the Act and routinely engages with Government Departments about bodies under their aegis that might be considered for FOI. Work is ongoing at present on an extension of...

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I welcome that the House is in agreement on the need for a preliminary inquiry. The reports of the two preliminary inquiries will shape the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry. The Oireachtas will also be consulted on these terms of reference. It has been suggested by the Labour Party that the legislation controlling the Central Bank may constrain the ability of its Governor to...

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government's response is a matter of extensive public record and has been intensively debated over many hours in both of these Houses and in the public arena. The Taoiseach has answered questions in this House twice per week since the crisis began 18 months ago.

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government remains fully accountable to the Oireachtas on all matters of policy. Deputy Burton made the criticism that wrong practices which may have occurred in the banks or regulatory system since September 2008 will not be investigated. I want to make it clear that such wrongdoing was a continuation of previous practices and can as such be investigated in the preliminary inquiry....

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Although we should not pre-empt the issue given that the Dáil will undoubtedly express a view on the terms of reference, one of the themes which the Government believes the statutory inquiry should examine is the response of relevant Departments and State agencies, including the linkage between the banking crisis and overall economic management. The role of Ministers as heads of Departments...

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The framework for investigation chosen by Government is the most effective and efficient available to it. In order to establish the facts, it is necessary to provide an investigation with statutory powers. We are all aware of the limitations placed on the Oireachtas by the Supreme Court in this regard. A committee of the Oireachtas cannot be a court of judgment on private individuals and...

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: For an investigation to proceed speedily and in a cost effective manner-----

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Labour Party takes the view that a toxic triangle is in operation, clearly it has already judged the facts before hearing the case.

Banking Crisis: Motion (Resumed) (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: For an investigation to proceed speedily and in a cost effective manner, it must be able to conduct its business in private.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Question Nos 213 and 214 together. The Deputy must bear in mind that the emissions from the transport sector account for around 30% of non-ETS emissions. The carbon tax is about sending price signals to the sector as a whole. The carbon tax does not differentiate between private and public transport per se, however, the impact on public transport will be far less than on...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that an Officer from Roscommon District will call to the taxpayer's former employer, who is based in Roscommon, and will give priority to securing the outstanding P45.