Results 4,561-4,580 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On considering the introduction of a new tax or indeed an increase in current taxes a wide variety of factors are taken into consideration including the impact on cross-border trade. When new taxes are being introduced there are always practical issues in relation to implementation that require consideration. In that regard, as is normal practice, my officials in conjunction with the Office...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am committed to the introduction of a carbon tax on a phased basis in the context of the 2010 Budget. In relation to the issue of fuel poverty, it is acknowledged that appropriate measures may need to be put in place depending on the level of carbon tax introduced.

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 170 together. The questions cover the same general issue. I am aware there has been an increase in insurance premiums this year including motor insurance premiums. This increase however has to be considered against a backdrop of the continuing stress in the financial markets and the recessionary pressures in the economy which is affecting all...

Written Answers — Public Service Pay: Public Service Pay (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have not received requests from my colleagues to authorise the breaking of the link between public service pay and pensions. However, as I said in my earlier reply, and as the Government has made clear on a number of occasions, all public expenditure, pay and non-pay, current and capital, is under review in the context of the Budget.

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested is not available on the time basis requested and either the information could not be obtained or could not be obtained without conducting a protracted examination of the Revenue Commissioners' records.

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 to 138, inclusive, together. With regard to the recapitalisations of AIB and Bank of Ireland, the Government, through the National Pensions Reserve Fund Commission, injected €3.5bn of Core Tier 1 Capital into each institution. In return, the Government received €3.5bn worth of non-cumulative preference shares. This recapitalisation programme was...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I must advise the Deputy that the reference in the question to "artificial obstructions in rivers" is capable of a number of interpretations. In the absence of clarification it has not been possible to answer the question. In addition, in order for information to be provided on hydrological surveys that may have been carried out or EU moneys used in respect of such obstructions, it would be...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware that because of previous claims experience, householders in different parts of the country, including areas in Dublin, have found it difficult to obtain insurance against flood damage. This is because the decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter based on the assessment an insurer will make of the risks...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The recently published Renewed Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a single 33% rate for tax relief on private pension provision in the context of the National Pensions Framework. This would result in a reduction in the tax relief on pension contributions available to higher rate taxpayers and an additional incentive to pension savings for standard rate taxpayers....

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The arrangements for the membership, functions and resources of the Consultative Consumer Panel are set out in the Central Bank Act 1942, as amended. Such arrangements provide that the Panel always reports to the Financial Regulator and do not provide for a reporting procedure to my Department. I understand that the Panel on a number of occasions has highlighted charging issues and sought...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While consultations between my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government with regard to the implementation of the parking levy are well advanced, it has not yet been introduced. As such it is not yet a requirement for any employees to pay the levy.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Advisory Forum on Financial Legislation was formally launched in January 2008, with a mandate to assist with the preparation of a Bill to consolidate and, in so far as was possible within the timeframe envisaged, to modernise Irish financial services legislation. The creation of a modern corpus of financial services legislation remains a clear objective. However, since my reply to the...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 161 together. The Combined Code on Corporate Governance is a non-statutory code published by the UK Financial Reporting Council, for Stock Exchange registered companies. It sets out standards of good practice in relation to issues such as board composition and development, remuneration, accountability and audit and relations with shareholders. All...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I expect that a bill providing for the establishment of the Central Bank Commission will be published early in the new-year. The bill will propose the establishment of a single fully integrated regulatory institution, the Central Bank of Ireland, replacing the current two-pillar structure currently operating within the CBFSAI. The new structure will be responsible for both the supervision of...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together. The code of practice for the governance of State bodies applies to the following bodies under the aegis of my Department. Body Comment An Post National Lottery The Company has advised that it is adopting the new Code though it has not been formally adopted at a Board meeting; that the question of training to ensure proper...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Consumer Credit Directive establishes a harmonised legal framework in the European Union for the provision of consumer credit ranging from 200 euro up to 75,000 euro. The Directive was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 22 May 2008 and requires to be transposed by 11 June 2010. The Directive is being transposed by way of Statutory Instrument and my Department...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department submitted its response to the EU Commission on 31 August 2009. A copy of this submission is available for downloading on the Commissions Internal Market website.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together. A tax exemption for charities is available under section 207 of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997. In order to avail of this exemption a body or trust must be established for charitable purposes only and must also apply all of its income for charitable purposes. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the cost to the Exchequer of mortgage interest relief by way of tax relief at source (TRS) in the ten months to the end of October 2009 is €405 million. The cost for the full year of 2009 is estimated at €460 million.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Dec 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax or expenditure matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.