Results 43,481-43,500 of 46,267 for speaker:Simon Harris

Financial Resolutions 2015 - Financial Resolution No. 1: Tobacco Products Tax (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Where is the evidence for it?

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Absolutely over three years. The system probably could not do it over one year. It is €800 million this year. I also welcome the fact that the pension levy will be abolished at the end of 2015 and reduced to 0.15%. Senator Barrett referenced the need to reform and to continue to reform. He is right that reform is not, and cannot be, something that is only done in years of crisis....

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Reference was made to issue of excise. I welcome the fact that there has not been an increase in excise duties. Many Senators and many Members of the other House raised the need to support one's local. We have talked about economic development outside of Dublin, the role of the pub, particularly the rural pub. In many communities it is more than just a pub, it is a tourism facility or a...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I do not snigger.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I have 16 pages of notes.

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: So would I. I am sure we will be back again, and the discussions on the social welfare Bill and the finance Bill will give us plenty of opportunities to tease out some of the issues raised by Senator O'Donnell and many others. I will endeavour to get through as many as I can. I thank Senators for their contributions which I have found useful and positive. I also found the constructive...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Last year saw a welcome return to economic growth. There were clear indications that this would accelerate in 2014 and that domestic demand was stabilising and about to return to modest growth. Nevertheless, in the first half of this year the pace of real economic activity surprised on the upside. Exports performed strongly, even when account is taken of the impact of so-called contract...

Seanad: Budget 2015: Statements (14 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I welcome the opportunity to speak in the Seanad and to contribute to this debate on budget 2015. Earlier today, the Ministers, Deputies Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin, presented to Dáil Éireann the Government's fourth budget and the first since Ireland regained its economic sovereignty following the successful exit from the EU-IMF programme at the end of last year. This budget...

Topical Issue Debate: Licensed Moneylenders (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The Deputy is correct. The issue that has been raised by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and others about illegal moneylenders is a major cause of concern for people on all sides of the House. We need to examine it. Since persons operating as illegal moneylenders are in breach of the law, it is a matter for the Garda Síochána to investigate their activities. Under section 98...

Topical Issue Debate: Licensed Moneylenders (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I do not have that, because it is a matter for the Central Bank. It is a fair point. We have provisions in the Consumer Credit Act 1995. If the question the Deputy is posing is whether they are adequate or if more could be done, I am willing to explore it with my colleague, the Minister for Finance. I thank the Deputy for raising it.

Topical Issue Debate: Licensed Moneylenders (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for giving me an opportunity to outline the Government's thinking it. I will deal with some of his requests which were quite constructive at the end of my response. The Government has some concerns about the introduction of a cap. Those concerns include that the introduction of a cap on the interest rates that can be charged by...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: However, the ESRI this week has produced an interesting report on the issue of corporation tax. I believe it was published with its quarterly economic commentary. It has done some modelling of what would happen, had our corporation tax rate been increased-----

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: -----in respect of an impact on jobs and investment. It makes interesting reading for those who believe that slapping additional taxation on business will somehow not have any impact on jobs and investment. While the Deputy has suggested I should read Timothy Geithner's book-----

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: -----I suggest he have a look at the ESRI report published this week. It is fresh off the presses and the Deputy should read it. I would be interested in his feedback on it. I will conclude by noting there undoubtedly will be an opportunity to discuss the matters raised by Deputies as this Bill continues to progress through the House. I wish to thank my officials and I thank Members for...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Referral to Select Committee (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I move:That the Bill be referred to the Select Sub-Committee on Finance pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(a) and (6)(a) and 126(1) of the Standing Orders relative to Public Business.

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Deputy Mathews made reasonable points about skill sets and resourcing, but this Bill is not about deregulation, which was Deputy Ross's allusion. Rather, the Bill is about asking whether we have the correct structure in place, should we view funds in the same way as stereotypical companies, should we examine what competitor countries are doing or should we stay as we are. This is the...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: Deputy Mathews might have an issue with their bosses, but these employees are not faceless people. As Deputy Michael McGrath mentioned, they are not just working in offices in Dublin's docklands or the IFSC, but also in communities in Drogheda, Naas, Cork and Wexford. Let us acknowledge this fact. While mistakes have been made in the industry, many mistakes have also been made in this...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: We are not allowed to name people. Deputy Boyd Barrett was concerned that the Bill was about avoiding tax or regulation. I suggest that he read it in advance of Committee Stage and have an exchange with us then. Some 64 sections give rise to an offence. As to the question of tax advantages for investors in ICAVs, it is important to reiterate that, while investors in undertakings for...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I begin by agreeing with Deputy Mathews that we often fail to ask enough questions. He does not need to say that to me, however. I am not glossing over anything. I have been here for the entire debate. I have been here to hear everybody's contributions. I am here now to respond to some of the issues that were raised. It is great to see such a great turnout. This legislation does...

Irish Collective Asset-management Vehicles Bill 2014: Second Stage (9 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I am going to be up against the clock. Given that Deputy Mathews had 20 minutes, I ask him to give me a moment. We need to make it clear that it is fine for the Government and the public sector to consult. In my view, it is perfectly appropriate to have consultative forums in place. That is what the Clearing House Group is. However, it is on the floors of this and the Upper House and in...