Results 9,001-9,020 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The position is that the income levy will be applied to gross income except social welfare payments, including contributory and non-contributory social welfare pensions. It is also proposed to exempt those on low incomes from the income levy. More detailed provisions, in relation to the collection, recovery, inspection of records, and other provisions required will be set out in the Finance Bill.

Written Answers — Car Park Levy: Car Park Levy (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Details of the car parking levy will be contained in the Finance (No. 2) Bill which will be published on the 20 November. I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to ensure that the arrangements for the administration and collection of the levy will be such as to minimise any additional administrative costs on businesses.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The change in the standard VAT rate is taking effect from 1 December 2008. The change could have been made effective from 1 November 2008, the start of the preceding VAT taxable period, however, the later date of 1 December 2008 was chosen in order to give industry more time to adjust their systems to the Budget change. This provided a lead-in time of almost seven weeks during which traders...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As I have said previously my Department and I are always mindful of potential international developments that could adversely affect foreign direct investment here. However, I am not aware of any concrete proposals to make changes to US tax legislation. While there has been some speculation in the context of the Presidential election that any new Administration could seek to make changes to...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In accordance with the terms of the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Scheme all covered institutions are required to provide such information or reports as I, or the Financial Regulator on my behalf, may require. Under the Scheme covered institutions are also required to submit reports required by the Financial Regulator to monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Improving our competitive position is essential to facilitate a re-balancing of the economy towards more sustainable, export-led growth and to maintain Ireland's attractiveness as a location for inward investment. In recognition of this, and notwithstanding the need to underpin the sustainability of the public finances, the Government took a number of steps in Budget 2009 aimed at supporting...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Budget 2009, published on 14 October 2008, sets out the forecast outturn for Departments' expenditure in 2008 and the Budget Estimates allocations for 2009. Departments are required to manage within their agreed spending allocations and the question of issuing instructions to this effect does not arise.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have met with the relevant institutions and there is ongoing contact between the Financial Services Regulator, the Central Bank, the credit institutions and officials of my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that when I introduced the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Legislation to this house, I made it clear that the disruption in international financial markets required a...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: From the outset of the financial market difficulties in August 2007 EU Finance Ministers have taken a number of steps to address the difficulties in financial markets and Ireland has of course been a full participant in that work. In October 2007 Finance Ministers agreed on a set of common principles and a roadmap of further actions to enhance financial stability arrangements and the ability...

Written Answers — Programme for Government: Programme for Government (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Programme for Government is a five year programme which must be judged over the full five years of the Government. However, it is now clear that we have entered a period of lower economic growth than was envisaged when the Programme for Government was drawn up. This has consequences for the public finances and the Government is committed to carefully managing the economic and budgetary...

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer was informed on the 2nd October 2008 that no refund of income tax is due in this case.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of receiving a request from the individual for a tax refund. A Tax Return, Form 12 2007, issued to the individual on 4 November 2008 to enable them to carry out a review.

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

Brian Lenihan Jnr: My Department uses the PeopleSoft Human Resource Management System (HRMS) to facilitate the collation of information relating to a wide range of absences from duty e.g. sick leave, annual leave, special leave, maternity leave and other statutory and non-statutory leave provisions. That information is used for internal staff management purposes. The identification of suitable groups against...

Banking Sector Regulation. (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: When I introduced the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act to this House, I made it clear the disruption in international financial markets required a strong and decisive response by the Government to underpin the commitment of the authorities to Ireland's financial stability. This Government moved swiftly to put in place a guarantee to ensure Irish financial institutions' access to...

Banking Sector Regulation. (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: With regard to the shortage of credit for particular businesses and especially small and medium sized Irish firms, I have asked my Department to liaise with the Central Bank, the Financial Regulator and the financial institutions to assess the reality of the many claims put forward in that regard. On capitalisation, which was the main burden of the question put by Deputy Bruton, the Deputy...

Banking Sector Regulation. (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy did not qualify it. He would appreciate I was going to make the point that the degree of liquidity attracted by the banks through the guarantee was actually greater than the amount of liquidity available to the banks as of 1 September. On that date, as Deputy Bruton is aware, the difficulties had not yet emerged that led to the giving of the guarantee in late September. On the...

Banking Sector Regulation. (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I accept the point made by Deputy Bruton that as a result of the degree of supervision by the State of credit institutions entailed by the guarantee, there is an onus on the State to assist institutions if they come up with appropriate proposals.

Banking Sector Regulation. (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assure Deputy Bruton we do not rest on our oars. We did not rest on our oars in giving the guarantee in the first place. Our political difficulty in Europe was that we were ahead in giving the guarantee.

Banking Sector Regulation. (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We did not rest on our oars in bringing forward the budget either and we will not do so with this issue.

Banking Sector Regulation. (6 Nov 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The credit institutions financial support scheme provides a guarantee for covered institutions until 29 September 2010. I have been advised by the Financial Regulator that it recently commissioned PriceWaterhouseCoopers to conduct a review of loan portfolios of the covered credit institutions. PriceWaterhouseCoopers is currently progressing with this work and the Financial Regulator will...