Results 9,181-9,200 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition parties imposed a 26% charge when they were in government, whereas we are asking for a 1% levy at these difficult times. The system we propose will ensure that those on high incomes will pay the levy on their gross income and cannot shelter that income from the levy. That is progressive — as one earns more, one pays more. If we were to increase tax rates, for example, by...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are providing a package of over €515 million to protect pensioners and other social welfare recipients from the effects of inflation. There is a widespread acceptance that expenditure on child benefit does not achieve an appropriate degree of balance. Therefore, it is right to signal the phasing out of child benefit in respect of 18 year olds in full-time education. Young people from...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Symbolic gestures are important in a community of citizens. We build our civic culture through actions which underline our intentions and our meaning. In this instance, our intention was to show our appreciation of the difficult times many of our citizens will experience in the period ahead. The gesture is an acknowledgement that, in a small society, we depend on each other. Each of us...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: When that happens, Ireland needs to be in a position to take advantage. I want to make it clear that Ireland's future is bright. It has been said that the only safe ship in a storm is leadership.

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: This Government will show leadership by managing the economy through this international downturn and on to a path to economic recovery. A time of serious adversity can be a time of great opportunity. In the cycle of any economy, there is a time for renewal and change. The basis for this economic renewal will be the achievements of the past ten years. Yet during difficult times it is...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Nevertheless, the Government is absolutely committed to measures to build on this success. One of the important messages of this budget is that Ireland is very much open for business. Despite the severe financial and economic difficulties emerging across the global economy, there is still a strong enterprise sector which is world-class in its capacity and performance. It is underpinned by...

Financial Resolution No. 15: (General) Resumed (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: How would Deputy Kenny do it?

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The marginal rate is available for the course of 2009. The thinking behind what is to happen in 2010 and beyond relates to the review that will take place upon the fair deal scheme coming into play. As the Deputy knows, there are currently families who must pay considerable sums of money and consequently obtain the tax relief. The idea of the fair deal scheme is to treat everyone the same,...

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I explained to the Deputy, the measure in page B.6 assumes the full operation of the fair deal legislation by 1 January 2010. The point I am making is that, if the fundamental reform is to take place whereby all in receipt of nursing home care will pay no more than 80% of their income, regardless of whether they are in private or public nursing homes, one will not be able to argue so...

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have just explained that this depends on full operation of the fair deal legislation by 1 January 2010.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the situation. In the meantime, as our true intention here is not to cause problems or concerns for people, I am making it very clear that until such time as it is fully operational, there will be no change to the marginal tax relief that is available for nursing home care because there are——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: No, it is not wrong.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputies are not prepared to allow the clarification to be made because they want to continue with some confusion. There is no confusion.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The present marginal rate remains in place in respect of nursing home care for those who require it and are eligible for it until such time as the fair deal scheme is fully operational, which is a fundamental reform, as Deputies will know. It is presumed the fair deal scheme will be fully operational by 1 January 2010. We will review the situation and ensure that if it is fully operational,...

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of my being embarrassed by any of these measures, which are necessary in the interests——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: These measures are necessary in the interests of trying to provide a sustainable public finance position for the country.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: If it is Deputy Gilmore's contention — it was certainly Deputy Bruton's contention last night — that there should not have been any tax-raising revenue provisions in the budget, what part of the expenditure programme would he cut by another €2 billion? That is what is required.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: If it was also the case that he did not believe there were discretionary spends in the capital programme that should not have been deferred, what further €1 billion in cuts — making a total of €3 billion — would he estimate we could find in the public expenditure programme? If we were to move, as Deputy Bruton said, to a 5.5% deficit instead of the 6.5% deficit and if we were not to...

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: If the Fine Gael budget which has been outlined by its finance spokesperson is that we would have a 5.5% deficit and not raise any taxes——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I want to make it clear——