Results 43,801-43,820 of 46,456 for speaker:Simon Harris

Seanad: Valuation (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Committee Stage (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: The proposed amendment is as Senator Byrne outlined, the same amendment proposed in the Private Members' Valuation Bill 2014, introduced by Deputy Cowen in the other House.. The Private Members' Bill had its Second Stage debate in the Dáil on 4 July 2014. In the course of that debate, the response delivered on behalf of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform pointed out the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (1 Oct 2014)

Simon Harris: I propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together. The Government Decision of 11 February, 2014 specifically addressed the allocation of funding for the repair of existing public infrastructure damaged by storms in the period of 13th December to 6th January 2014. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government (DoECLG) wrote to Kerry County Council indicating that, based...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Meath County Council expects to appoint consultants shortly with a view to designing a feasible, cost-beneficial flood relief solution for the Northlands Estate. In the interim, it is planned that the Office of Public Works will carry out maintenance work on the channel in the estate on behalf of the Council before the end of this year.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Risk Insurance Cover (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: On the 24th of March of this year, my predecessor, Mr. Brian Hayes T.D., announced details of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Office of Public Works and Insurance Ireland (previously known as the Irish Insurance Federation), the representative body for insurance companies in Ireland, on the exchange of information on flood defence works. The Memorandum of Understanding outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Flood Prevention Measures (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Office of Public Works has recently approved funding of €144,000 to Kerry County Council under the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for flood mitigation works at this location, which will also provide protection to a number of homes and a commercial property. The progression of these works is a matter for the Council.

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Planning Issues (30 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: A Planning Application was submitted to Kildare County Council by the Office of Public Works on Wednesday 17th September 2014 for installation of new signage on Newbridge Credit Union Building. The application is available for inspection in Kildare County Council offices in Naas, Co Kildare and on the Council's website for 5 weeks from the date of submission.

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Monuments (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I would be delighted to accept the Senator's invitation and arrange, in conjunction with him, to visit Carlingford at the earliest possible opportunity in the coming weeks. I know the project is very close to his heart. During my two months in office he has made clear to me its importance to Carlingford and north Louth. While I accept that there have been delays and setbacks in recent...

Seanad: Adjournment Matters: National Monuments (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank the Senator for highlighting this most important issue for Carlingford and north County Louth. It is not the first time the Senator has brought this matter to attention. In the two months or thereabouts I have been in the job he has worn a path to my door on this issue. I know he does so because it is very close to his heart and that of his community. I also know that it is an...

Seanad: Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Senators for their contributions, the welcome they have given to the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2013 and their considered contributions to the debate. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, was present for much of it and I have had the pleasure of being present for the second half of it. While the Bill deals with the regulation of the remote betting sector and provides the...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes. It is important to note that the articles we are inserting in our agreement are based on current OECD tax law. Obviously, we are engaged in a process at a time when a situation is developing and evolving. I am confident that the agreements we are asking the committee to ratify today and other international double taxation agreements which we as a country have put in place are in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I take the point the Deputy makes. I must reiterate, however, that Ireland, the Government and the Department of Finance are committed to the OECD process and to playing a leadership role within it. We will keep matters under review as the situation evolves and is completed. We have been to fore on issues such as spontaneous exchange of information.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I appreciate the Deputy's view. I believe it would be prudent for Ireland, before signing up to agreements incorporating such standards, to agree the standards first. Ireland is playing a lead role in the development of those standards.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Once in place, Ireland will continue to lead in this area.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Yes.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: I thank Deputy Doherty for his kind words. I look forward to working with him also. It is the norm within the European Union that European countries follow the OECD model. That is not to say that we do not incorporate elements of the UN model. The fact that we are signing an agreement with a developing country like Botswana is a sign of this country's commitment to further engaging in...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Most of these were signed in advance of my appointment. I will examine this further and I will revert to the Deputy. I have continued to use the OECD model which has been the norm in Europe. I am happy to come back to him with a detailed note.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: The Department's view is that the OECD model is fit for purpose and it is the best practice across Europe. There are elements within the UN model which we have incorporated. These are what we consider to be the best practice elements of the UN model. Specifically, the whole issue of withholding tax on technical fees and a change of professional service fees of individuals. The model we...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: Ireland is in favour of the exchange of spontaneous information. The OECD process is ongoing. The country will continue to fulfil its dutiful obligations to engage in double taxation agreements. It is important to note that Ireland has been proactive in its engagement in the OECD BEPS process and the OECD processes in general. The spontaneous exchange of information is something this...

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: While the international standard has yet to be worked out, Ireland is a party to the OECD-Council of Europe multilateral convention on the exchange of information. Ireland has already signed up to the multilateral convention. There is ongoing work in terms of the OECD and further standards but Ireland is fully compliant with the existing multilateral convention at OECD level.

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance: Double Taxation Agreements: Minister of State at the Department of Finance (24 Sep 2014)

Simon Harris: This is where confusion arises. It is already included in double taxation agreements as a result of Ireland's participation in the OECD multilateral convention on the exchange of information. As further standards develop, Ireland will be one of the first countries to adopt them. Ireland has shown good faith in this area. Ireland is already including the provisions in the multilateral...