Results 5,361-5,380 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Excise Penalties: Excise Penalties (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the penalties for smuggling cigarettes and tobacco products into Ireland are as follows. On summary conviction, the penalty is a fine of €5,000 and/or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months. The trial judge may mitigate the monetary fine by up to 50%. On conviction on indictment, the penalty is a fine of three (3) times the value of...

Written Answers — Public Procurement Operations: Public Procurement Operations (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I intend to establish an advisory group shortly on public procurement. The purpose of this group will be to provide advice and knowledge to the newly established NPPOU. My Office is currently putting together proposals for the establishment of such a group, together with the role and function of the group. I will inform the Deputy when this process has been completed.

Written Answers — Tax Exemptions: Tax Exemptions (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in Budget 2009 that an air travel tax would come into force in respect of passengers departing from Irish airports on and from 30 March 2009. A general rate of €10 per passenger would apply, with a lower rate of €2 for shorter journeys. The Finance (No.2) Act 2008 confirmed the introduction of an air travel tax from 30 March 2009. However, I took...

Written Answers — National Debt Costs: National Debt Costs (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Supplementary Budget in April set out a multi-annual consolidation plan to restore stability to the public finances. The table below sets out the 2008 outturn for debt servicing costs and the projections for 2009-2013 as contained in the Supplementary Budget. On the basis of the Supplementary Budget estimates, it is forecast that about one-fifth of our tax revenue would be required to...

Written Answers — VAT Rates: VAT Rates (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With regard to the VAT differential between Ireland and the UK, given the current Exchequer deficit position, the policy decision of increasing the standard VAT rate in Budget 2009 continues to be necessary in order to support the public finances. We are borrowing to fund day to day public services which is unsustainable as future generations will be required to pay higher taxes unless we...

Written Answers — Official Languages Act: Official Languages Act (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, I have no direct role in the provision of translation services in respect of Acts of the Oireachtas. Section 3(2) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2006 sets out clearly that this is a function of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. Notwithstanding this, in order to provide an answer to the Deputy's question, I have obtained the...

Written Answers — Official Languages Act: Official Languages Act (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As the Deputy is aware, I have no direct role in the provision of translation services in respect of Acts of the Oireachtas. Section 3(2) of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) Act 2006 sets out clearly that this is a function of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission. With regard to the cost of translation of Acts, I understand that Rannóg an Aistriúcháin has other...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that sufficient basic data are not available on which to base an estimate of the yield to the Exchequer from this proposal.

Written Answers — Public Service Recruitment: Public Service Recruitment (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The recruitment and promotion moratorium announced on Friday 27th March 2009 applies to the civil service, local authorities, non-commercial state bodies, the Garda Síochána and the Permanent Defence Forces. It is not an embargo. An embargo would imply that no filling of vacancies whatsoever could take place. The Minister for Finance has the authority to allow for the filling of some...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy will be aware that I cannot comment on individual cases. However, the NAMA Bill as currently drafted contains a provision for amending the Planning and Development Act 2000 to extend the planning permission in certain circumstances.

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the supplementary budget last April, the Government set out a multi-annual plan to correct the public finances. This plan has been welcomed by the European Commission. The immediate need is the stabilisation of the deficit in 2010 and this is Government's proposed aim. This will require difficult decisions to be made for budget 2010 which will presented to the Dáil on 9 December. The...

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The table to which Deputy Bruton referred must be read in the context of the speech I delivered at the time of the supplementary budget. Then, I clearly stated the figure for taxation was an absolute maximum and the figure for expenditure reduction was an absolute minimum. I am sure Deputy Bruton would appreciate it is important that a Government keeps its options open in such a matter and...

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government has decided, and made it clear at all stages, that the €4 billion must be found to comply with our obligations under the Stability and Growth Pact. Apart altogether from our obligations under the pact, the Government has decided the figure is essential, having regard-----

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: -----to the need to stabilise our borrowing requirement at 12%.

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If Deputy Bruton would bear with me a moment.

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government decided last April that the indicative figure for this year's budget was €4 billion. Having reviewed-----

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am about to answer the Deputy's question. Having reviewed the end-September returns, the Government further decided that not only was this requisite to comply with our obligations under the Stability and Growth Pact, it was also essential in addressing the deterioration of the percentage ratio of debt to gross domestic product that was emerging this year. That ratio stands at...

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is the whole purpose of the budgetary discussions taking place in the Government.

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Central Statistics Office published national accounts data for the second quarter of 2009 at the end of September. These data show that gross domestic product and gross national product fell at an annual rate of 7.4% and 11.6%, respectively, in the second quarter of this year. Combined with the first quarter data, the figures show the annual rate of decline in the first half of the year...

Fiscal Policy. (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy asked two broad questions. First, I have not been briefed as of yet about the end of month forecast which will be published in an hour's time.