Results 901-920 of 1,683 for speaker:Derek McDowell

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: The Minister is making the case for them. In some cases the Minister says they make sense and then says he will abolish them.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I am not a fan of the home carer's credit. However, I would be very interested to know the statistical background as to how many taxpayers actually claim the credit. The Minister will remember there was much hullabaloo at the introduction of individualisation and the subsequent introduction of this credit.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I wish to ask the Minister some general questions on income tax and, in particular, on the credits. I want to explore whether it is still his intention to remove the minimum wage from the income tax net. As I said, this is the most important remaining tax priority and something on which the Minister should have moved last year and should certainly move this year, even if it means having to...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I understand that Sustaining Progress has one more budget to run. Is there a specific commitment to do this in next year's budget? Must we wait for another three years, if the Government lasts that long?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: That is clear.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I was never a fan of the original tax break in the Finance Bill 2002 which provides a potentially very break for people who are, generally speaking, well off in the first place. I understand the argument that their careers are relatively short but I am not sure there is any huge benefit to the public in encouraging them to stay resident in Ireland. We always suspected, with some...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: In recent years, the phrase "stealth taxes" has been much in vogue. I am sure the Minister will agree that it is a much used and abused term, not least by elements of the Opposition. Most of what are termed "stealth taxes" are actually user charges. Some I agree with, while others I do not, depending on the importance of the particular service being provided. However, the failure to increase...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I am trying my best to forget it.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2004 [[i]Certified Money Bill[/i]]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (24 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: There is significant merit in the recommendation being made by Senator Browne and the Fine Gael Party. I can anticipate some of the Minister's response. I know he has altered the nature of the tax form so that people must at least declare income even if it is not subject to tax. It is important that we assess the amount of tax that has been foregone because of these tax breaks, but it is...

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I will address the issue of decentralisation before I finish, but I will begin with some general remarks about the economy. This must be the shortest Finance Bill the Minister has published during his time in office. Certainly, it is almost completely devoid of the grand gestures, ideas and the singular ideological shifts, swathes of tax cuts, cuts in expenditure and various other traits for...

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I thought the Senator was a socialist.

Seanad: Finance Bill (Certified Money Bill) 2004: Second Stage. (23 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: It never got me anywhere.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: He will not.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I can reassure Senator Dooley that I have no intention of delaying the Bill.

Seanad: Air Navigation and Transport (International Conventions) Bill 2004: Second Stage. (9 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: Indeed no. It is one of those frustrating Bills which sets out a convention the negotiation of which did not involve anyone in either House and which we cannot change. Nevertheless, it is a product of international negotiation over some years and improves conditions for passengers and cargo which is positive. This is necessary because the nature of international air travel has changed quite...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: The Labour spokesperson, Senator Ryan, is unfortunately not able to be here today, so I am filling in for him. I confess to being a little confused about the purpose of the Bill. I am aware that it essentially re-enacts 14 sections of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, but I am not sure what happened to those 14 sections in the interim period. Perhaps the Minister of State could clarify...

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I know that. I am not clear about the position in between. Are we now saying the law was bad and was not enforceable during that time?

Seanad: Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage. (4 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I am not trying to be combative; I am just trying to clarify an issue.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage. (3 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: The experience of the Minister's colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Fahey, at the weekend reminded me of the Labour Party convention in Dublin a number of years ago when the then MEP, Ms Malone, was nominated in circumstances which were not too dissimilar to the nomination of Mr. Ó Neachtain MEP. We know what happened there, but...

Seanad: Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003: Committee and Remaining Stages. (2 Mar 2004)

Derek McDowell: I join Senator Leyden in his comments. I apologise for being three minutes late for this debate.