Results 9,521-9,540 of 12,631 for speaker:Willie O'Dea

Written Answers — Departmental Facilities: Departmental Facilities (2 Apr 2008)

Willie O'Dea: My Department is currently compiling the information sought and will provide it directly to the Deputy.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (2 Apr 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I have agreed that an area of the Department's lands at Knockalisheen can be made available to the Club in question for use as a juvenile soccer pitch. My Department is currently preparing a draft license to govern its use.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (2 Apr 2008)

Willie O'Dea: A committee, known as Coiste Rialacha na nArmchúirteanna (Courts-Martial Rules Committee), was established on 7 May 2007 under section 240A of the Defence Act 1954 as amended. The functions of the Committee are, with the concurrence of myself, to make court-martial rules in accordance with section 240B of the Defence Act 1954 as amended. The Committee is expected to complete its work during...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (2 Apr 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It has not been possible in the time available to compile all the information requested by the Deputy. This information, which will include details of all Ministerial use of Air Corps helicopters from 2002 to date in 2008, will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The number of civil servants currently serving in my Department is 391 (in whole time equivalents). This is a significant reduction on the numbers serving in previous years; about 700 in 1981 and about 450 in 1990. My Department has civil and military elements and was established by the Ministers and Secretaries Act, 1924. The Defence Acts 1954 to 2007 provide the legislative basis for the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: There is very little difference between them. The effect of this recommendation would be to remove the minimum bed capacity requirement of 20 beds provided for in the proposed legislation, which introduces a scheme of capital allowances for specialist palliative care units. The minimum bed number of 20 was decided on following discussions with the Department of Health and Children on the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The allowance scheme is the same. The requirements to qualify for tax relief are the same.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I take the Senator's point. When the Department of Finance was drafting this legislation, it had to have regard to the advice of the Department of Health and Children and the HSE, which was that palliative care units must be sustainable. The Department of Health and Children and the HSE examined the population figures and worked out how many beds should be in each unit if it is to qualify...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It was to do with the tax avoidance scheme.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: It is a particular scheme that goes into operation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: No. It is about specific tax avoidance schemes.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: No.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I know Senator Kelly lives near my constituency and is working very hard there.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: As one who tries to do my own small bit in my constituency I share his view about the complexity of the information on this matter and intend to speak to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, about it. In respect of recommendation No. 17, vehicle registration tax is charged at the time of registration in the State. Under the revised system, the VRT...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: While I appreciate the health concerns that form the basis of this recommendation, it should be understood that in matters relating to the VAT rating of goods and services, the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance and the Government are constrained by the requirements of EU VAT law — with which Irish VAT law must comply. In this regard, the rate of VAT that applies to a particular good or...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: This recommendation has been proposed on many occasions over the past number of years. There are a number of reasons why the proposal could not be resolved through the Finance Bill process, the primary one being that such VAT refund schemes are no longer possible under EU VAT law. Further to this, the real question is whether VAT refunds are the most appropriate intervention in the first...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: Yes. As I indicated yesterday, I will obtain the details for the Senator.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I thank Senators on both sides of the House for their very thoughtful and thought-provoking contributions, both today and yesterday. I will convey the arguments, some of which were very well made, to my colleague the Minister for Finance.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: The Senator's recommendation is one which was debated at some length in the other House. The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance is not convinced still of the merits of the case. The statutory remit of the Ombudsman already incorporates both of the roles proposed for a taxpayers' advocate, namely, acting for taxpayers and investigating actions which are contrary to fair or sound...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2008 (Certified Money Bill): Committee Stage. (13 Mar 2008)

Willie O'Dea: I understand where the Senator is coming from and I am aware of that apparent anomaly. It is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners to determine whether a body or organisation has been established for charitable purposes. I have been advised that the activities of Tidy Towns organisations, generally speaking, would be regarded as satisfying one of the categories of charitable purpose, which...