Results 7,561-7,580 of 32,527 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: It is not at the point where it is at the Commission yet. What the Tánaiste was doing was just making reference to the OECD statement that already refers to companies that have a level of turnover that is greater than €750 million. That is the current draft text of the OECD agreement.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Tánaiste was referring to the OECD text that is there at the moment. If and when we make a decision that we are either going to enter into the OECD agreement or we are not, at that point, I will be able to give full clarity on the question the Deputy is asking me.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As it stands at the moment, the OECD agreement applies to companies above a certain level. That is it at the moment. What is critical for me is not the text as it stands now, but where it will be later on in the process.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As it stands now, it only applies to companies above a certain level of turnover, but that is the text at the moment. The key thing is how it develops and what is finally agreed.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: No, I did not. I said “imminently”. I did not give a date for it.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I do not have one at the moment but I expect the publication to happen soon.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am not sure if further assessment of Housing for All is needed. It was the subject of extensive engagement within government. As each constituent element of Housing for all is implemented, it is at that point that an evaluation will take place of the impact it will have. It is difficult to evaluate the plan or do an economic appraisal of the plan in its entirety but, as we take each...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I will always listen to the views of Mr. Barnes and the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council, but I still make the case that it is appropriate that we evaluate each element of the plan and we subject that to normal Government procedures. It is a challenge to be able to evaluate in its totality a plan that has so many different elements within it.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Significant funding is already committed to in the capital plans included in the summer economic statement. I am certain that the Minister, Deputy Ryan, when deciding how that funding will be allocated, will put in place higher levels of funding to lead to the roll-out of the infrastructure that is necessary for more electric cars. I am afraid I do not have the detail related to that.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: We are monitoring it. We believe that our capital markets and banking systems are resilient and able to deal with any contagious effect from the issue that the Chair refers to. It is the case, as can be seen in changes in the pricing of certain commodities and the performance of particular equities, that we live in a deeply interconnected world and changes that take place in the Chinese...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I should emphasise that this is the digital gaming sector that the Chair and I are referring to. I have signalled that I am interested in seeing how we can develop it further. I am working on it at present. Looking at the strengths that we have in filmmaking, animation and IT already in Ireland, the digital gaming sector is a part of our creative economy that I believe that we can do even...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Tánaiste is referring to the current OECD agreement and he is correct in making that reference.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am engaging with the Commission on this and other matters. I will be in a position to give a full communication on those matters if and when Ireland enters the OECD agreement, if we decide to do so.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: That is an important question that I want to and will answer if we decide to enter into the OECD agreement. At that point, I will give the Deputy such an answer.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: That is the OECD tax agreement that is in place at the moment. The Tánaiste was completely correct in what he said. I will be able to outline how that will be implemented or any Commission engagement that is relevant to it if I decide to recommend that Ireland enter into the agreement.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: That is why I am engaged in a delicate and important negotiation on a critical matter for our country. When those discussions are concluded, of course I will be in a position to fulfil the answers to the Deputy's questions and his information needs.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Let me conclude. The Deputy is asking me about the nature of engagement that I have had with the Commission. When that engagement is concluded, I will then be in a position to answer the Deputy's question, and the Tánaiste was correct in what he said.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am standing by and have exactly the same view as the Tánaiste on this matter. When we conclude the negotiation in this process, I will be able to spell out and detail any engagement that I have had on this matter with the Commission or elsewhere.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes, there will be a role for the NTMA in any scenario ahead with regard to our debt because it is on such a large scale. Second, within the scale of the health budget there will absolutely be the ability to give good consideration to the issues raised by the Deputy.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Pre-Budget 2022 Scrutiny (Resumed): Minister for Finance (23 Sep 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes, indeed. That is why the NTMA has a national savings bond and many existing ways in which the savings of those resident in our country can be used in a productive way and can be invested in activities that the NTMA runs. Those facilities are there at the moment. I know that for many, they are not attractive, given the interest rates that are available on them currently, but they are...