Results 6,061-6,080 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Financial Services: Financial Services (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy's question refers to the commitment I gave in this House on 26 March 2009 to request the Consumer Director in the Financial Regulator - which has a statutory mandate to safeguard customers' interests - to examine the level of redemption fees charged by banks to customers wishing to exit from fixed rate mortgages. My Department received a copy of the Financial Regulator's report on...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Revised Estimates Volume contains details on the financial provision for the Office of Public Works for 2009. The efficient and effective application of that provision is a matter for that Office. With regard to the impact of the general budgetary situation on the funds that may be provided for the OPW in 2010, that is a matter for decision in the context of the 2010 budget. The...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The IMF is projecting that the Irish economy will contract by 13.5% between 2008 and 2010. This is of similar magnitude to the forecast made by my Department in the April supplementary budget. This is a very sharp rate of contraction in both international and historical terms. However, as I have pointed out before, the IMF report commends the Government for its actions to resolve the...

Written Answers — Financial Services: Financial Services (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While I cannot comment on individual cases, I would however point out that in response to the issue of access to mortgage finance, as part of the terms of the recapitalisation of AIB and Bank of Ireland, the banks agreed to provide an additional 30% capacity for lending to first time buyers in 2009. The banks have also committed to actively promote mortgage lending at competitive rates, with...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the outset, the Deputy should note that in my role as the Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. The day to day responsibility for the supervision of financial institutions is a matter for the Financial Regulator which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its regulatory functions. I am aware of the...

Written Answers — Feachtais Gaeilge: Feachtais Gaeilge (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Tá sé beartaithe agam Ceisteanna 145 agus 149 a thógáíl le chéile. Tá curtha in iúl dom ag na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim go bhfuil foráil le hAlt 141 san Acht Airgeadais 1992 do na Coimisinéirí le rialacháin a dhéanamh mar is cuí nó is dóigh leo is gá le bainistiú, fáil agus bailiú a dhéanamh ar cháin chláraithe feithiclí (VRT) sa Stát. Maidir leis sin forordaíonn...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose taking Parliamentary Questions Nos. 146 and 164 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not in a position to confirm the Deputy's various estimates of tax loss from cigarette smuggling or to attempt to forecast the tax loss on cigarettes in 2010, as there is no reliable method for determining such figures. However, a tentative estimate was given by Revenue...

Written Answers — Customs Service: Customs Service (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Revenue's Customs Service has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. This Service has particular responsibility for implementing import and export controls at all points of entry/exit to/from Ireland, including ports and airports. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to provide the figures...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that information on income tax receipts is not captured in such a way as to provide a basis for compiling the information sought by the Deputy.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that as the individual in question is already a member of an Occupational Pension Scheme, he is not entitled to income tax relief in respect of PRSA contributions. The person in question was advised of this on 27th May 2009. If further clarification is needed, the individual may contact Mr. Pearse Penney, Revenue House, Blackpool, Cork (Tel...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: 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 bank guarantee scheme and recapitalisation the banks have made important commitments to support business lending. An independent review of credit availability was agreed in the context of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The following table sets out the cost of public advertising paid for by my Department and the offices under its aegis year to date in 2009. Office Statutory Advertisingâ'¬ Non-statutory Advertisingâ'¬ Totalâ'¬ Office of the Minister for Finance Nil 27,476 27,476 Office of the Revenue Commissioners 93,841 389,861 483,702 The State Laboratory Nil Nil Nil The Valuation Office Nil...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 to 158, inclusive, together. It is important at the outset to highlight that the problems currently being experienced in the Irish banking sector are part of a wider international phenomenon. The causes of the current financial crisis have been extensively analysed and reported on internationally by various international bodies. Within the EU, the Report...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Since the early years of this decade Ireland has lost competitiveness. Up until last year, prices grew faster than those in the euro area, while wages grew at a rate greater than productivity would justify. These developments have left Ireland exposed in the midst of the collapse in global demand. Nonetheless, consumer prices have adjusted quickly downwards in the last six months. In...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In the normal course of events, the macro-economic implications of various fiscal measures are considered in the context of the budgetary process. In that regard in the recent Supplementary Budget the macro-economic impact of the 2009 measures was set out. Regarding the additional aggregate annual consolidation measures for the later years, the overall macro-economic impact was incorporated...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Since becoming Minister for Finance my specific attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland has been losing competitiveness for some time. In fact the loss of competitiveness and the need to improve it is one that is a constant theme of the Government in recent years. Up until last year, prices grew faster than those in the euro area, while wages grew at a rate greater than productivity...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department must, as is the case for all Departments, operate within available resources, both in respect of staffing and other provisions. However, I am satisfied that the resources available to enable my Department to carry out the necessary evaluation of performance and cost in both the public and private sectors with a view to improving competitiveness in the economy are appropriate....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I wish to draw to the Deputy's attention that rebates on employee's redundancy payments are a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In general, my department uses the services of the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor, and seeks outside legal advisors in circumstances requiring legal services of a specific nature. The costs associated with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor are borne by the respective Votes and are not charged back to my...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (8 Jul 2009)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together. The Supplementary Budget forecast that total tax revenue for the year would amount to €34.4 billion. Monthly profiles for individual tax-heads were published at the end of April. The end of June Exchequer Returns showed that €15.8 billion in tax receipts were collected in the first half of 2009. Income Tax receipts were...