Results 10,161-10,180 of 33,280 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Framework for Parliamentary Engagement Throughout the Budgetary Cycle: Discussion (9 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I have given much consideration to the effects of the withdrawal of Ulster Bank from the Irish economy, were it to happen, and the effects of that for current account holders, for those who have mortgages and for those who are looking to secure credit from Ulster Bank in the future. Those concerns are really important and I take them very seriously. Ulster Bank is a very important part of...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Framework for Parliamentary Engagement Throughout the Budgetary Cycle: Discussion (9 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Chairperson and the committee for the opportunity to discuss the current framework for parliamentary engagement in the budgetary process. I welcome the opportunity to discuss the committee's report and look forward to the discussion we will have. At the outset we can all agree that there has been much progress in our broader approach to the national fiscal framework over recent...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Framework for Parliamentary Engagement Throughout the Budgetary Cycle: Discussion (9 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I have heard the principle floated in the UK and in other countries, but I would like to see the details of how it would actually work. Let me use Amazon as a good example. I know the Deputy is a big reader and maybe he might be a customer of Kenny's or so many wonderful independent bookshops at the moment. It is not clear to me how it would be possible to design a tax that would be fair...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Framework for Parliamentary Engagement Throughout the Budgetary Cycle: Discussion (9 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: May I come in on that? Did the Chairman say "hands-free"?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Framework for Parliamentary Engagement Throughout the Budgetary Cycle: Discussion (9 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I take the Chairman's point about the issue of timing. Clearly, the sooner we can have material shared with the committee the better, but we do face challenges in doing that from a departmental point of view. A concrete example would be the stability programme update, SPU. We would struggle to do an SPU any earlier than we do at the moment because even when we do that update, we only have a...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Framework for Parliamentary Engagement Throughout the Budgetary Cycle: Discussion (9 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I was not aware at this point that the operation of our semi-States was being significantly curtailed by state aid requirements. I would also cite the example the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has used, where there has been a very significant increase in the ability of the ESB to borrow and that has been delivered while still being consistent with our state aid framework.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Fishing Industry (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the High Court judgments of October 2001 to which the Deputy refers relate to a number of cases dealing with share fishermen with similar facts.  In those cases, it was determined by the High Court that the share fishermen were not employees of the boat owner but had a relationship with the boat owner or skipper in the nature of a partnership.   I am...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a Senior Executive Accountability Regime (SEAR).  SEAR will drive positive changes in terms of culture, greater delegation of responsibilities, and enhanced accountability while simplifying the taking of sanctions against individuals who fail in their financial sector roles. My officials are...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Revenue Commissioners (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that its website was redesigned and upgraded in 2017. The redesign process included wide consultation with taxpayers and stakeholders regarding their online experiences and requirements to ensure the new service is both user friendly and effective in meeting customer needs. For example, the writing style adopted for the website was reviewed by the National Adult...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 47 together. The CRSS is a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the Government under public health regulations to combat the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The support is available to companies, self-employed individuals and partnerships who carry on a trade or trading activities, the profits from which...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Help-To-Buy Scheme (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Help to Buy (HTB) incentive is a scheme to assist first-time purchasers with the deposit they need to buy or build a new house or apartment.  The incentive gives a refund of Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in Ireland over the previous four years, subject to limits outlined in the legislation. Section 477C Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 outlines the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Reliefs (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that it has already been in direct contact with the person in question regarding her tax relief entitlements in respect of 2016 and 2017. The person is currently completing her tax returns for both years so that her entitlements can be finalised. Revenue has also provided the person with a direct contact telephone number in case she requires any further assistance.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together. The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) is a social welfare payment for workers who have become unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PUP payments are classified as income supports and share the characteristics of income from a taxation perspective. This is important from an equity point of view as people unaffected by the pandemic...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: The Temporary Wage Subsidy (TWSS) was in place for 22 weeks between 26 March and 31 August 2020.  It was introduced as an emergency income support for employees of vulnerable firms whose businesses had been negatively impacted by the restrictions that had to be introduced to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and whose turnover had reduced by at least 25% during Q2 while the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: World Bank (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I would like to thank the Deputy for his question and the opportunity it affords me to outline the World Bank’s mission and Ireland’s contribution in shaping, influencing and supporting this important work.   At the outset, I think it may be useful for me to provide clarification in respect of the Deputy’s reference to climate and development funds managed by the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Sustainable Development Goals (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 53 together. As the Deputy may be aware, in September 2015, 193 UN Member Countries including Ireland adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which consist of 169 targets around the 17 high level goals. The SDGs are a global blueprint for collective progress to a more prosperous and sustainable world by 2030. The SDGs are applicable to all...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 55 and 56 together. Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is independent in the performance of his statutory functions.  I have no role in the day to day workings of the office or in the decisions which he takes. The FSPO has informed me that it has improved the quality and speed of its...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (4 Feb 2021)

Paschal Donohoe: Firstly, I must point out that the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is independent in the performance of his statutory functions.  I have no role in the day to day workings of the office or in the decisions which he takes. The Ombudsman has informed me that the manner in which complaints are dealt with and the resources deployed in managing individual complaints...