Results 6,741-6,760 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: It is in that context that the decision was made by the Government on the health insurance initiative. The Leader of the Opposition asked me to clarify whether a credit or relief is proposed. It is a tax relief in the form of credit.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Everybody will get it.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Everyone will get it regardless of whether——

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: A tax relief is in itself a tax relief and therefore it is a tax relief in the form of a credit. It will be passed on through the premium——

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The legal interpretation is that it is a tax relief measure in the form of a tax credit.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I can only say——

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: It can be discussed in due course.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: To clarify the issue, the Government health insurance initiative will entail legislative proposals, which will be brought to the House. The date of which we speak is 1 January 2009. The other legislation raised by Deputy Kenny is a new risk equalisation Bill arising from the Supreme Court decision. Our legal advice suggests it will be some considerable time, at least two years, before the...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I hope this clarifies the matter. We are concerned with two Bills and perhaps we will try to stick to one at a time.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: With regard to confidential meetings involving the Minister for Finance, if they are confidential there is no intention of discussing them in public.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: There is no intention to recall the House. It is a matter for Fingal County Council to deal with the matter of the speeding fines. There is no legislation proposed arising therefrom.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: It will take effect from 1 January. It requires EU approval and it will be a matter for the Government to determine whether we enact that legislation prior to the Commission's approval. That decision has not yet been finalised. There is a methodology by which we can pass legislation and withhold its enactment. One way or another, it will be retrospective to the first day of January 2009....

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: Yes.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: We could enact it but——

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: We can enact the legislation, but the view is that it would be more appropriate not to commence legislation until such time as the Commission gives clarity on the issues.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Ceann Comhairle will know that it takes some time for the Commission to make such determinations. It takes two months.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: I will clarify the situation on the basis that the leader of the Labour Party is now trying to entangle things that have nothing to do with this legislation.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The matter of a premium is a matter for the companies involved.

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The Government is not dictating the premium that must be paid. We will introduce legislation arising out of the Government health insurance initiative. The European Commission must clarify this, which will take two months. It will be retrospective to 1 January if we decide not to enact prior to the Commission giving its signature. That is possible in this type of legislation — it is...

Order of Business (20 Nov 2008)

Mary Coughlan: The forestry legislation will be brought in next year.