Results 8,721-8,740 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Asylum Applications: Asylum Applications (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have no proposals to extend the remit of the Ombudsman to the areas identified by the Deputy. Section 5(1)(e) of the Ombudsman Act 1980 provides that "the Ombudsman shall not investigate any action taken . . . in the administration of the law relating to aliens or naturalisation". These actions will continue to be excluded from the remit of the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman (Amendment)...

Written Answers — Insurance Industry: Insurance Industry (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The sale of its stake in the VHI is not Government policy at this point in time.

Written Answers — Job Protection: Job Protection (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Notwithstanding the recent problems in the global markets — from which no country could expect to be immune — the development of Ireland as a global financial centre is one of the major success stories of the Irish economy over the past two decades. Of course, competitiveness is key to success. In that regard, the Clearing House Group, the public sector — industry partnership, which...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In line with the provisions of the Stability and Growth Pact, all EU member states, including Ireland, agree to respect a General Government Debt ratio of 60% of GDP. General Government Debt is the standard measurement of gross debt used for comparative purposes within the Union.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the House for this timely debate on the economy. We are in very difficult times. The weakness in tax receipts evident throughout the year has continued and the recently published Exchequer returns show the decline escalated during the month of November, reflecting the magnitude of the domestic and international economic slowdown. We had an Exchequer deficit of approximately €7.9...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We need to move away from this shallow criticism and knee-jerk reactions, which are not helpful to our economy and are damaging social cohesion. Our public service has been an essential support for economic progress in Ireland over the years. We need to move forward together on the basis of the facts, and on the basis of a thoughtful analysis of where we need to make progress. We need to...

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At least 10%.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I apologise.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Senator is starting off on a wrong note again.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: He is damaging this country.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: No, this is where the problem starts.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Senator is damaging the country.

Seanad: The Economy: Statements (5 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Senator should give the people some hope.

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A delay in collection of the revenues due impacts on the level and timeliness of financial resources available to the Government. The Deputy will also be mindful that such delays facilitate businesses, large and small, which, by withholding tax payments and using those monies to improve cash flow, gain unfair competitive advantage. In this context, I am advised by Revenue that it expects...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Assuming that the car parking space is in one of the areas covered by the levy, and assuming an employee is not entitled to exemption for other reasons, then there are two circumstances which trigger payment of the levy. The first of these is that an employee has entitlement to park and the second is that the space must be provided, directly or indirectly, by the employer. Neither of these...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I understand the Deputy is seeking the amount of income tax, PRSI and levies to be paid by a married one-earner person with two children on the average industrial wage in 2008 (estimated to be about €33,800). The position is as follows: Married one earner with two children on the average industrial wage in 2008: Income Tax €33,800 @ 20% €6,760 Less credits: Married €3,660...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (4 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Representations have been made by the coach industry on this matter, and I know that an industry group commissioned a consultancy report in support of its case. The issues raised by the expiry of the fuel excise rebate scheme affect all bus companies (private and public) that provide public transport and school bus services, as well as coach tourism. As the Deputy will be aware from my...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As regards the cost incurred by my Department to date, all internal work associated with the Scheme is being carried out by the reallocation of existing staff so that any associated costs are being met at present from within the Department's allocated administrative budget. In addition, legal advice has been obtained from both the Attorney General's Office, within their existing allocation,...

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (4 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government recently agreed to undertake a new round of Value for Money and Policy Reviews covering the three year period 2009-2011. Building on our experience from the 2006-2008 round of reviews and also taking account of the OECD's recommendations, we are making a number of improvements to the process. The major changes are as follows: In the 2009-2011 round of reviews there will be a...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Dec 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As part of a fiscal stimulus package, the UK Government reduced their standard VAT rate from 17.5% to 15% on a temporary basis with effect from 1 December 2008 to 31 December 2009. There are no plans to make a similar reduction in the standard VAT rate in Ireland or to reduce the rate to the UK level of 15%. It must be recognised that our starting point is different from the UK's. We...