Results 681-700 of 3,850 for speaker:Mick Wallace in 'Dáil debates'

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: The Minister's defence of what he admits is aggressive tax planning is that we could lose out if we change something. We are discussing a race to the bottom in terms of how tax is collected from those who can best afford to pay it. The Minister asserts that we are fully in line with international best practice. When we argue in the House about how Shannon Airport is allowed to be used as a...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I move amendment No. 43:In page 41, between lines 35 and 36, to insert the following:"Use by Multinational Companies based in Ireland of "Single Malt" tax avoidance system 25.The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report analysing the use by Multinational Companies based in Ireland of a system known as "Single Malt", which...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (23 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I too support Deputy Pearse Doherty's amendment. The majority of people do not realise how this country is run. If they knew a little bit more about what does happen and how things are done there would be much more anger. The notion that banks that were rescued because there was a banking crisis and austerity was introduced to help deal with its outcome, are back making money and can...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: My amendment states: "The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report analysing the impact Real Estate Investment Trust (REITS) have had on rental prices, and residential and commercial property prices throughout Ireland, and particularly Dublin.” I do not think that is an unusual or unreasonable request. We make...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: The Minister of State made reference to some figures showing the low percentage of residential units that are held by REITs relative to the amount of properties in the country. The point I made is that these guys have gotten hold of an incredible number of properties that have been made available to rent in Dublin city. They bought them in bulk from NAMA and from the banks. They are buying...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I move amendment No. 30:In page 30, after line 40, to insert the following: "Real Estate Investment Trust (REITS) and impact on Housing/Rental Market 19.The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report analysing the impact Real Estate Investment Trust (REITS) have had on rental prices, and residential and commercial property...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I get the point that the Minister makes but I take a different position. I find it incredible that we have allowed this to go on for so long. I had a debate with the former Minister for Finance in this House on 16 January 2014. I said to him:The Government might view real estate investment trusts, REITs, as a quick fix measure to get rid of properties on the books of ... NAMA and the...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: My amendment No. 28 was ruled out of order but it deals with the same topic. It sought to amend section 18 of the Finance Bill on Irish real estate funds and to change the date which shall apply to disposals from 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2018. The section as it currently stands provides that IREFs which dispose of assets before 1 January 2019, and where the five-year period has elapsed,...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I am sorry that I missed the start of the debate. I have been interested in the help-to-buy scheme since it was announced. I was a little sceptical as to the positive effect that it would have. I have a good understanding of the industry and the mentality of all sides involved from my own experience. I remain sceptical that it is the way forward. There is no doubt that people need help,...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I agree 100% that there are complications with the diesel issue and allowances must be made for certain commercial vehicles. At the same time, we must start encouraging companies to move in that direction. As I stated, I do not expect companies to throw away what they have but they must start moving in the direction of using less diesel. The impetus will probably have to come from here so...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I do not know. There is some support for it so perhaps I should press it.

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I welcome the Minister’s comments. I would like a period of three or five years to be enshrined in the Bill. I accept that the Minister seems to be moving in the right direction. At the same time, experience has taught us to be wary. I had a discussion today with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross, about the fact that every single one of the many buses...

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I move amendment No. 5:In page 11, after line 33, to insert the following:“8. The Minister shall, within 6 months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report examining increasing the benefit in kind from 1 year to 5 years, to those who purchase electric cars through work.”. Good evening, Minister.

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: Not too bad. A nice win for Spurs last night. I hope the Minister read that book I gave him. How much of it has he read?

Finance Bill 2017: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: The Ceann Comhairle is spoiling the party. He is way too serious for this job. Although the Minister introduced a one-year benefit-in-kind provision in respect of electric cars, which is estimated to cost the Exchequer approximately €500,000, we should be doing more. This is not just a point for the Department of Finance, but any Department. This morning, I was arguing with the...

Other Questions: Ports Facilities (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: It has been over four years since the Indecon review into Rosslare harbour was presented to the Minister's Department but it has only recently become available for public viewing, although it is mostly redacted. Nothing has changed during those four years in terms of how Rosslare Europort operates nor how the Department has approached its ownership and management. The key recommendation of...

Other Questions: Ports Facilities (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: In spite of the Government, not because of it.

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: 35. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the BusConnects programme will provide its first low emission public bus; the fuel source of these vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49352/17]

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: I recently asked about the make-up of the bus fleet and what powers its engines. I got a reply saying the Minister was strongly committed to facilitating the uptake of low emission technologies in the public transport sector, that his Department has established a green public transport fund to support the uptake of low carbon technologies within the public transport sector and that the...

Other Questions: Public Transport Initiatives (22 Nov 2017)

Mick Wallace: Last week, the 2018 Climate Change Performance Index was published at the UN climate talks in Bonn. It contained the not-so-surprising claim that Ireland is now the single worst performer on climate change action in Europe. The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is a central holder of responsibility for this shameful accolade. What have we been doing with the bus fleet all these...