Results 421-440 of 9,948 for in 'Written Answers' speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — National Recovery Plan: National Recovery Plan (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government's National Recovery Plan 2011-2014 was drafted by my Department, with input from various other Government Departments. The Plan was approved by Government. Following approval by Government, the Plan was shared with representatives from the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF. I would like to remind the House that the programme of external assistance that we have just agreed with...

Written Answers — National Recovery Plan: National Recovery Plan (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The forecasts underpinning the National Recovery Plan were compiled in the normal manner that is employed on an annual basis for the Budget and Stability Programme Update. In order to complete the forecasts, the external environment is firstly assessed to compile the export forecasts. The outlook for domestic demand is then assessed taking into account the various budgetary measures....

Written Answers — Economic and Monetary Union: Economic and Monetary Union (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I attend meetings of the Eurogroup and Ecofin, which comprise the Finance Ministers of the Euro area and the EU respectively, together with the European Commission and the European Central Bank (ECB). It is a priority of the Eurogroup, ECOFIN and the European Council (EC) to ensure the financial stability of the Euro area and the EU as a whole. I can assure the Deputy that the supportive...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Since Chancellor Osborne has taken up his duties, I have met him at various EU and other international meetings. Specifically, I met with him at the ECOFIN Council in Brussels on 17th November 2010. On that occasion and in subsequent telephone contact, he expressed his willingness to be supportive of Ireland. In his statement to the House of Commons on 22nd November 2010, he also made it...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The National Recovery Plan states that there will be a cumulative reduction in public service numbers by the end of 2014 of 24,750 since the end of 2008, bringing the total number of public servants to 294,700, a level first exceeded during 2006. The Plan further states, on Page 63, that the end-September 2010 public service numbers are 307,500 on a whole-time equivalent basis. The end-2014...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the Report of the Global Irish Economic Forum was published by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on 13 October 2009 and that an Inter-Departmental Committee of senior officials, chaired by the Secretary General to the Government, are considering how to take forward the recommendations contained in the Report. The Department of Foreign Affairs published a first progress...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The decision regarding the recommencement of commercial insurance in the UK and Northern Ireland by Quinn Insurance Ltd (QIL) is a matter for the Central Bank of Ireland in respect of which it is independent in the performance of its functions. I have been informed by the Central Bank that it gave serious consideration to this issue including a detailed review of proposals by the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated full year yield, based on projected 2011 incomes, from treating Child Benefit as subject to (a) income tax at €326 million (b) the income levy at €26 million. The taxation of Child Benefit, as it is currently administered, is not a straightforward matter. There are legal, equity and administrative issues that would need to be...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The pension entitlements of a former official in the Civil Service, for which I am responsible, can be reduced in the circumstances which are dealt with in Conciliation & Arbitration Scheme General Council Reports number 1276 and 1333. In cases of officials who are dismissed or who resign to pre-empt dismissal and which involve financial loss to the Exchequer, the amount of the loss, plus...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy will be aware, taxes are considered in the context of the Budget process. It is the usual practice for the Minister for Finance not to speculate in advance of a Budget on its contents and I do not propose to deviate from that practice.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As Minister for Finance, my role is to ensure that the legal framework for credit unions is appropriate for the effective operation and supervision of credit unions. The Registrar of Credit Unions is responsible for administering the system of regulation and supervision of credit unions provided under the Credit Union Act 1997, with a view to the protection by each credit union of the funds...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that under section 139(6) of the Finance Act 1992 a vehicle in respect of which certain offences are committed is subject to forfeiture. Those offences are prescribed in section 139(3) and section 139(5) of that Act. Section 139(3) of that Act deems it to be an offence for a person, in respect of a vehicle in the State – (a) to be in possession...

Written Answers — Ministerial Pensions: Ministerial Pensions (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are 5 serving TDs who are currently drawing Ministerial pension. The details are as listed below. Name Ministerial Pension paid 01 Jan 2010 to 25 November 2010 (inclusive) Sean Barrett €18,841.87 Bernard Durkan €4,253.28 Michael Noonan €30,995.28 Jim O'Keeffe €13,789.68 Noel Treacy €18,629.52

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy may wish to note that the supervision and oversight of liquidity requirements for credit institutions is a regulatory matter for the Central Bank of Ireland. The Central Bank of Ireland is subject to strict confidentiality requirements under the EU Supervisory Directives and consequently does not share information on specific regulatory issues with my Department unless the issue...

Written Answers — Bank Guarantee Scheme: Bank Guarantee Scheme (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: All deposits in Irish banks, building societies and credit unions of up to €100,000 per person are covered by the Deposit Guarantee Scheme which is a European standard. This is not subject to an end date and continues indefinitely. In addition, under the Credit Institutions (Extended Liabilities Scheme) 2009 (ELG), demand deposits in excess of €100,000 are covered until 30 June 2011....

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following table sets out the 2010 Budget Estimate for each Vote in the Finance Vote Group, together with the spend year to date, variance against published profile and an explanation of the reason for the variance. €'000 Capital/Current Full-year Estimate 2010 Spend to date 2010 (Under)/Over Spend compared to published profile year to date 2010 In line with Budgetary Projections...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The main aim of public procurement policy is to ensure that all public sector purchasing is carried out in a manner that is legal, transparent, and secures optimal value for money for the taxpayer. Within this context, the policy approach allows for the promotion of wider Government objectives, where appropriate, such as facilitating small and medium-sized enterprises, or the promotion of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The recommendations contained in the special group on public service numbers and expenditure programme that pertain to the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Valuation Office, the Public Appointments Service, the Office of the Commission for Public Service Appointments and the Office of the Ombudsman; the detail of each of the proposed savings in relation to each body; which of these...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (25 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand that the Freedom of Information Act in the UK requires public authorities to have an approved publication scheme in place which is a means of providing access to information which an authority proactively publishes. This scheme covers amongst other things financial information relating to projected and actual income and expenditure, tendering, procurement and contracts. In...

Written Answers — Legislative Progress: Legislative Progress (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Senator Quinn's Private Members Construction Contracts Bill 2010 is currently before the Seanad and is expected to proceed to Committee Stage shortly. The Government appreciates that this is an important piece of legislation and is working closely with the Senator in relation to it. It will then have to proceed to the Dáil in the New Year.