Results 8,981-9,000 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a carbon tax/levy on a revenue neutral basis over the lifetime of the Government. This will, of course, form an important part of the normal deliberative process of the Government in setting fiscal and environmental policy. The Deputy will be aware the matter of a carbon tax is being considered by the Commission on Taxation and...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Under section 6 of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008, the Minister for Finance can provide financial support to such credit institutions and subsidiaries as the Minister specifies by order. Section 6(4) provides that the provision of financial support may be effected by individual agreement, a scheme made by the Minister or otherwise. To date the only financial support...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Last year, my Department's Budget 2008 forecast assumed tax revenue growth of 31⁄2% for 2008. This was viewed as a conservative forecast by many commentators and in fact others, such as the ESRI, forecast stronger revenue growth at the time. However, tax revenue weakened considerably as the year progressed, reflecting the challenging domestic and international economic environment....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy may be aware that the issue of a currency transactions tax (Tobin tax) has been considered in a number of fora, including the informal Ecofin meeting at Liège on 22 September 2001. At that stage, the Belgian Presidency indicated that it wished to pursue the matter in the context of a general study to be carried out by the Commission on the issue of globalisation. However, it...

Written Answers — Motor Vehicle Registration: Motor Vehicle Registration (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a letter detailing how registration for antique vehicles may be obtained has issued to the person in question.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 84 together. The following are the staff employed in my Department whose function is to deal with representations from my constituency: Grade Number Annual salary range Executive Officer on Higher Executive Officer duties 1 €46,558 – €59,097 plus allowance retained from former duties Clerical Officer 2 €23,174 – €40,417 Personal...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that commissioned photographic images, when supplied in the form of prints, slides and negatives, qualify for the 13.5% VAT rate, whereas the same images supplied on disc or via email are subject to the standard rate of 21%. Responsibility for ensuring that the correct rate of VAT is charged on the provision of any goods or services lies with the...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The provision in the State of certain investment services, such as professional dealing services or investment advice, in respect of a credit default swap would fall to be regulated by the Financial Regulator under the European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 60 of 2007), which transpose the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (2004/39/EC)...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The main Irish shares traded which use Contracts For Difference (CFDs) are dual-listed shares and the vast majority of Irish CFD trading is completed on a cross-border basis, with counterparties outside the State. There are no published figures available in relation to the volumes of these transactions. CFDs represent a way of taking a position on a listed company without actually buying or...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: A market notice is a document designed to provide information to participants in the financial markets. The Market Notice issued by my Department on 22 October was not prepared as a requirement under any legislative imperative. It was issued under my general authority to issue a public statement on matters within the remit of my Department. Its purpose was to provide a simple and clear...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a claim for a refund of Stamp Duty, by way of Young Trained Farmer Relief, was made to the Dublin Stamping Office, by the individual's Solicitor by letter dated 31 July 2008. Further certification in relation to the claim was sought by the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the educational requirements together with a request for the return of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In my Budget speech on 14th October, I announced the introduction of a new tax incentive scheme to facilitate the relocation of Seveso-listed industrial facilities which hinder the residential and commercial regeneration of Docklands in urban areas. The EU Seveso Directive seeks to protect public safety by placing land-use restrictions on new residential and commercial development near...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I might first explain that the function of the Minister for Finance is to provide an appropriate and robust legislative framework for regulation of the financial services sector with a particular focus on the consumer. The establishment of the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman in 2003 and 2005 respectively means that such a framework is now in place. It provides, with...

Written Answers — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (CBFSAI) does not advise the Minister for Finance in relation to the number of cases prosecuted against any financial institution, including banks, in courts of this State. By way of background, I might explain that the role of the Minister for Finance as regards financial regulation is to develop policy and bring forward proposals...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Second Schedule to the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 defines a registerable interest for the purposes of that Act. The application of these or of other provisions of the Ethics Acts in particular cases, or to particular instruments or investments, is a matter for the Standards in Public Office Commission in the first instance or, as the case may be, the relevant Select Committee on...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The matters raised by the Deputy are dealt with at a number of levels. In the first instance, the Ethics in Public Office Acts provide a framework for dealing with conflicts of interest which can arise in the course of employment, including in relation to the declaration of interests, and the furnishing of a statement of the facts where a conflict of material interests exists, by Oireachtas...

Written Answers — Revenue Staff: Revenue Staff (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the allocation of their staff resources is kept under constant review and is subject to adjustment in the context of changing business needs and available resources. The filling of posts in any part of the organisation is approached from this perspective. Revenue had 108 staff serving in Athlone on 15 October, including 34 at Executive Officer...

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The National Lottery Company generated a surplus of €245.480m in 2007. It is expected to generate a broadly similar or slightly higher surplus in 2008 and in 2009. The amount of lottery funding transferred to the Exchequer in 2007 to part-fund the various programmes in various Government Departments was €230m while the corresponding amount which will be transferred in 2008 is €260m....

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The figures quoted by the Deputy mainly relate to retail clearing credit institutions, which is a group of four banks. Looking at the situation for all Irish credit institutions, which mirrors developments in the sub-set mentioned above, the amount of deposits held by Irish residents in overnight deposit accounts between September 2007 and September 2008 declined by 12.9 per cent. However,...

Written Answers — Financial Institutions Support Scheme: Financial Institutions Support Scheme (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I do not wish to comment on speculative comments by various commentators but as it happens most serious commentators — and the institutions themselves — expect provisions required to be a much smaller figure than that suggested by the Deputy. It is a matter for each institution and its auditors to publish results at the appropriate periods. The banks will be releasing accounts and...