Results 5,761-5,780 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Financial Regulation: Financial Regulation (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Licensed moneylenders are covered by a range of provisions under the Consumer Credit Act, 1995 (as amended) including the licensing process administered by the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority (Financial Regulator) under which a moneylender's licence is valid for a period of 12 months from the date on the licence. The number of moneylender licences issued in the year 2009 to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenses: Ministerial Expenses (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Ministers may receive allowances to cover the expenses they incur as members of the Oireachtas and as holders of Ministerial Office. The specific allowances payable in respect of Ministerial Office are described below. Ministers are entitled to subsistence payments when they are absent from their headquarters and home on official business. In general, expense allowances have been reduced...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 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 confirms the introduction of an air travel tax from 30 March 2009. However, I took...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 264, 281, 293 and 294 together. I am aware that certain bookmakers are considering relocating their internet businesses from the UK, including to Gibraltar. It is the prerogative of a company to locate its businesses where it sees fit. In that regard, it should be noted that Ireland's tax regime, for example corporation tax, compares favourably to other...

Written Answers — Public Procurement: Public Procurement (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I recognise the importance of public contracts as a source of business for SMEs and I am anxious to promote their participation to the greatest extent possible under EU law. It is inevitable, of course, given present conditions in the construction sector, that there will be greater competition than formerly for places on tender lists and in tender contests. My Department is in discussions...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the context of successful social partnership, the Government has been and continues to be supportive of all interested parties accepting and implementing Labour Court recommendations. In relation to the recapitalised banks however, these operate at an arms' length basis and as such I do not have a role in the wage negotiating process of the banks. I will be responding to the issues...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Annual Report on the National Development Plan for 2007 has been published and sets out comprehensive information on expenditure and outputs under each Programme. The document is available on my Department's website at www.ndp.ie/docs/NDP_Annual_Report_2007/2135.htm. Please see pages 135 to 145 of the Report. A total of €1.611 billion (€1.5 billion current and €110 million capital)...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, as part of a review of small offices, Revenue has assessed the need for full-time attendance at Killybegs, taking into account the level of demand for Revenue services at that location and modern service delivery channels. It was found that the level of demand did not warrant full-time attendance. Accordingly, the official who had been based...

Written Answers — Customs Service: Customs Service (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Revenue has, for a number of years, employed a drug detector dog handler in Sligo who is engaged full time on drugs detection activities, principally at the regional airports and the ports. In line with best practice in Customs administrations worldwide, Customs enforcement activity is selective and targeted and is based on analysis and...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 20 September 2008, I announced that the Government had decided to increase the compensation limit for the Deposit Guarantee Scheme in Ireland from E20,000 to E100,000 per depositor per institution. The cover applies to 100% of each individual's aggregate deposits up to the prescribed limit per financial institution and also applies to deposits held in credit unions. The Financial...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Following an increase of €50, from €250 to €300 per licence announced in Budget 2008, the excise duty for an off-licence was further increased to €500 in Budget 2009 in conjunction with an increase in the excise duty for a range of licences to manufacture or sell alcohol products. The excise duty for such licences was increased to €500 as most of them had not been increased for a...

Written Answers — National Asset Management Agency: National Asset Management Agency (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On 25 February 2009, the European Commission provided guidance on the treatment of asset relief measures by Member States. The Commission considers that a common European approach is presently needed to deal with the treatment of impaired assets to ensure banks resume their normal function of lending to the economy. Guidelines were also issued by the European Central Bank on bank asset...

Written Answers — Customs Service: Customs Service (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The new cutter as with the existing cutter will have a national remit, including the west coast of Ireland. Either or both vessels can and will be deployed to patrol and carry out operations along that coastline as and when required. The practice with the existing cutter is that deployments consist of a mixture of routine patrols and specific risk-driven taskings. This practice will...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. Under the VAT Directive, Member States may retain the zero rates on goods and services which were in place on 1 January 1991, but cannot extend the zero rate to new goods and services. As medical appliances such as the Lokomat machine were not subject to the zero rate on 1...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Charities and non-profit groups engaged in non-commercial activity are exempt from VAT under the EU VAT Directive, with which Irish VAT law must comply. This means they do not charge VAT on the services they provide and cannot recover VAT incurred on goods and services that they purchase. However, there is provision for the refund of VAT incurred on the purchase of a new medical instrument...

Written Answers — Public Sector Staff: Public Sector Staff (16 Sep 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 — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are no legal panels for solicitors and barristers under the control of my Department. The Department has its own in-house legal adviser in certain functional areas, and in certain cases would avail of the services of the Offices of the Chief State Solicitor and the Attorney General. My Department does, from time to time, require specific legal services on certain matters not available...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: There are no civil servants from my Department who receive fees, salary or remuneration for membership of Boards of agencies under the aegis of my Department. In some cases, where meetings would be held away from the normal location of such an officer, travel expenses can be paid in accordance with normal civil service rules. In the case of agencies under the aegis of my Department, I have...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the income levy in his question. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that persons entitled to hold a full medical card are specifically excluded from the income levy as introduced on 1st May 2009. The individual should supply sufficient evidence to his pension provider that he holds a full medical card. The pension provider will cease...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The banking system is not functioning as it should be and today I am introducing major new legislation to address this issue. To deal with credit specifically, the Deputy will be aware that a core Government objective is to free up lending on a commercial basis into the economy to support economic growth and a number of actions have been taken to achieve this objective. In the context of the...