Results 10,141-10,160 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Written Answers — Flood Relief: Flood Relief (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Office of Public Works will carry out a survey during June to identify potential options to address the problem in Co. Mayo.

Written Answers — Public Sector Employment: Public Sector Employment (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: As Minister for Finance I have responsibility for appointments to positions in the Irish civil service. Such appointments are governed by the terms of Article 39(4) (formerly Article 48(4)) of the EC Treaty as interpreted by the European Court of Justice. Citizens of non-European Economic Area (EEA) States are not eligible to compete for general service posts. The EEA consists of the member...

Written Answers — Departmental Projects: Departmental Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The details requested by the Deputy in relation to pilot schemes or projects which my Department is overseeing are contained in the following table. Scheme name Purpose Start Date Projected Completion Date Evaluation Improved access to public service identity data To examine technical mechanisms to enhance identity data quality across the public service, while facilitating easier...

Written Answers — Concert Events: Concert Events (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together. A number of large-scale concerts — in excess of 100,000 — have been staged in the Park in the past, but in recent years, only relatively small-scale concerts have taken place. These have been confined to the Visitor Centre area, with the objectives of minimising any adverse impacts both on the Park environment and on local...

Written Answers — Oil Prices: Oil Prices (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The rise in the price of oil mainly reflects stronger demand from emerging countries where living standards are rising. The spot price of oil has traded at around $125 per barrel in recent weeks, although it has traded above that level at times. This is roughly double the level this time last year. From the perspective of the Irish consumer, this increase has been mitigated somewhat by the...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together. In the year to April 2008, Sterling has depreciated sharply against the euro, falling by around 15%. Over the same period, the Dollar has also depreciated significantly. Given that approximately two-fifths of imports to Ireland are from the UK and the US, it is expected that these exchange rate developments should exert some downward...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While the promotion of biofuels is primarily a matter for the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Deputy will be aware that the Finance Act 2006 provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. Under the scheme, biofuel produced under projects approved by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are exempt from excise duty....

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. The increase in fuel prices generally, and the increase in the price of diesel, is an international phenomenon. Fuel prices are driven by a number of factors including the price of oil on international markets, exchange rates, production costs and refining costs. The rise in oil prices over recent periods reflected additional factors such...

Written Answers — Alternative Energy Projects: Alternative Energy Projects (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Deputy will be aware the Finance Act 2006 provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. Under the scheme, biofuel produced under projects approved by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources are exempt from...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Competitiveness is a very broad topic and many factors contribute to national competitiveness. However, since the Deputy has specifically referred to the banking and financial sector, I might focus on that sector in this reply. I am satisfied that my Department has actively sought to improve the competitiveness of the Irish economy through the financial sector in Ireland. It has done this...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Achieving a moderate rate of inflation is a key economic policy priority given its importance in helping to restore national competitiveness. Before outlining the Government's actions to achieve this objective, I would first draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that recent price developments have been driven primarily by external factors, namely the global rise in oil and food prices. It...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On Budget day, GDP was forecast to rise by 3% this year, with GNP forecast to rise by 2.8 %. However, in framing these forecasts a number of downside risks to the economic outlook were identified. These risks included the possibility of a sharper slowdown in the US, the possibility of adverse exchange rate movements, the possibility that financial market difficulties could persist for longer...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit), and exemption from motor tax, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities. The disability criteria for these concessions are set out in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 191 together. A progress report by the Decentralisation Implementation Group (DIG) was submitted to me and published on 8th October last. The Group reported that implementation of the civil service element of the Decentralisation Programme is progressing satisfactorily. Over eleven thousand civil and public servants have applied to relocate under the...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I am aware of the recent decline in consumer confidence as measured by the Consumer Sentiment Index. While there are a number of challenges facing the economy, we face them from a position of strength. For instance, we have one of the lowest levels of public debt in the euro area, our markets are flexible allowing us to respond efficiently to adverse developments, we have a dynamic and well...

Written Answers — House Completions: House Completions (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On Budget Day, my Department forecast that housing completions for 2008 would ease to around 55,000 units. This easing in the level of completions was broadly in line with market consensus forecasts. However, as evidenced by the weaker conditions in the opening months of this year there has been a sharper than expected slowdown in the house building sector. The current market consensus is for...

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises: that the Government has a long-term strategy, as set out in the Energy Policy Framework 2007-2020 and in the programme for Government, to reduce our dependence on imported and finite fossil fuel sources through delivering greater energy efficiency and increasing our use of renewable...

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I thank the Chair for his indulgence. I am glad we are having this debate on taxation and energy, an important and topical subject. In this debate we must put our current economic position and challenges in context. Since 1997, the rate of economic growth in Ireland has averaged 7.25% per annum. This has facilitated a transformation of the Irish economic landscape. The total number of...

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Deputy O'Donnell spoke eloquently about the need to attract private finance and the need to have equity investment in these projects——

Carbon Allowances: Motion (4 Jun 2008)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——but the reality has been, since the foundation of the State, that private equity did not always come forward. The Deputy's predecessor party, which was very sparing when it came to public expenditure, saw in the 1920s that it must make an exception to that rule, and established the Shannon hydroelectric scheme. There is nothing new in providing finance from the taxpayer to ensure the...