Results 9,821-9,840 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In light of the economic and budgetary challenges this year — which necessitated the move to an October Budget — the 'existing level of service' estimates have not been prepared this year.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit supports and monitors roll out of the programme of Value for Money and Policy Reviews across all Departments. It also provides the Secretariat to the Central Steering Committee (CSC) which oversees the process. Completion of individual reports is a matter for the relevant spending Department. As part of its role in supporting the initiative and...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The initial application for a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 is made to the Senior Medical Officer of the relevant local Health Service Executive administrative area. If the Primary Medical Certificate has been refused in this case, the named person may appeal the refusal to the Medical Board of Appeal,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The scheme of capital allowances for the construction or refurbishment of buildings used as private hospitals was introduced in the Finance Act 2001 and came into effect in May 2002. Provided that capital expenditure on the proposed co-located private hospitals, which are designed to free-up capacity in public hospitals, conforms with the existing legislation governing that scheme, normal tax...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am happy to clarify that the carbon tax issue is being examined by the Commission on Taxation which was established in February this year. The Commission is due to report by September 2009, at the latest.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: At the outset I should point out that the safe home programme is a matter for my colleague Micheál Martin T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs and I am replying on his behalf. Funding for the Safe Home Programme has been provided annually by the Department of Foreign Affairs since 2003. Emigrant Support (then Díon) grants were also awarded to the Safe Home Programme in 2001 (€63,487) and...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Two programme evaluations under the National Development Plan are currently under way: an evaluation of Science Technology and Innovation Investment; and an evaluation of the Local and Community Development Programme. These are the first programme evaluations under the 2007-2013 National Development Plan and on completion they will be presented to the Monitoring Committee, submitted to the...

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This is the Minister of State.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to share time with Deputies unknown. No doubt they will disclose themselves in the next few minutes.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "commends the Government for: its stewardship of the economy and public finances to date which has meant that Ireland meets the current economic situation from a position of strength and allows Ireland to take advantage of the global economic recovery when it emerges; and its adoption of sensible...

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Deputy concerned is Deputy M. J. Nolan.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: We are in the middle of an acute global financial and economic storm and this country is not immune from its impact. However, let us not lose perspective. During the past five years, we have had an average growth rate of 5.5%, among the highest in the EU. Our Government debt in 2007 fell from 32% to 23% of GNP. We have put more than €15 billion into the National Pension Reserve Fund...

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I have no doubt that over time, housing output will return to more sustainable levels but there is a process of adjustment and it is important that it be allowed to take place. We must remind ourselves that the beneficiaries of falling property prices will be first-time buyers who have found it so difficult to get on the property ladder in recent years.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I would like to address some criticism that has been levelled at the Government about its actions in this area. It is the height of hypocrisy for the Opposition to blame the Government for allegedly over heating the property market when it was Fine Gael that did its damnedest to destabilise that market through its half-baked, ill-conceived proposals to reform stamp duty.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Members may not like the medicine but they should at least listen to what I have to say. That particular plan which was rejected by the people would have pushed prices far higher and resulted in an even greater crash.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Government's changes to the stamp duty regime were measured and they were only introduced when it was clear the market was already correcting and when it was safe to do so. Our concern has always been the long-term stability and sustainability of the housing market.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The rapid deterioration in our economy and the speed with which international factors outside of our control have impacted on us has taken everybody by surprise.

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: When we brought forward our savings initiative last July, my Department forecast a revenue shortfall of €3 billion for this year. At the time, I said the savings of €440 million to be achieved this year was the very minimum we had to do and that additional savings would have to be made in the event of a further deterioration in our fiscal position. We monitored the position throughout...

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I assure Deputy Richard Bruton that he will be briefed subsequent to the end-September forecast. I will do everything in my power to ensure he is properly briefed in what I appreciate is a tight budgetary cycle in time terms. It is clear the scale of the economic and fiscal challenges require us as a Government to take immediate steps to ensure Ireland is fiscally sustainable in the years...

Irish Economy: Motion (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: In previous economic downturns, we have made the mistake of cutting back on capital investment.