Results 10,861-10,880 of 36,188 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: -----that has been made against the Tánaiste, Deputy Leo Varadkar, around leaking the document for the NAGP. In his wisdom, the Taoiseach believes that this House should, without debate, just pass a motion to appoint the paid lobbyist of the NAGP to that commission.

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: The arrogance of the Government is absolutely breathtaking.

Written Answers — Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport: Driver Test (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: 195. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a driver test will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36212/20]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Respite Care Services (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: 764. To ask the Minister for Health when respite services for older persons will be resumed in Ballybofey, County Donegal; if alternative supports are available during the suspension of respite services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36541/20]

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: On the back of what Deputy Farrell has said, the importance of her statement should not be lost on a committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas. Is it not the case that this is the first time we are entering into Irish law provisions that would apply if there was a foreign army in the State? It is not insignificant. The intentions of the Government in the future on neutrality is one thing,...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: For the first time, we are legislating for how taxation would apply to NATO troops in our State. The Minister should not lose the significance of that. He is asking Oireachtas Members in a neutral country to legislate for that, which is serious. He pointed out the different strands of opinion within his party - and I accept he does not share those opinions - but that was the official...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: This meeting is scheduled to go to midnight but I suggest that we suspend at a more reasonable time. I am also conscious that several members have tabled parliamentary questions to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and that starts in the Dáil Chamber at 9.45 p.m. I suggest that since we are making quite a bit of progress, we could suspend around 9.20 p.m. or 9.25 p.m.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: I think it would be better to discuss now as otherwise pairing arrangements would have to be put in place for the committee. When I refer to suspending, I mean until tomorrow morning. I think we can make good progress over the next two hours.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: I have a brief point to make before the Minister comes in. The Minister stated that this is an interim solution. While I welcome the fact that a scheme will at least now be available, we know the challenges that exist. The restrictions are quite severe. A person needs to have lost both hands or both arms. I am sure every Deputy, including the Minister, is aware of constituents who feel...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: I wish to talk about the timeframe. I hear what the Minister is saying in terms of next year. I do not think there is a Member of the Dáil or Seanad who has not had the issue of eligibility raised with him or her on numerous occasions so it is good that this is being reviewed. I ask the Minister to try to review this as quickly as he can. The Committee on Budgetary Oversight could...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: This will see an increase in motor tax for a small proportion of newly registered cars in 2021 and also for cars that have been registered since 2008. I understand the changes will amount to between €10 and €40. Concerns have been raised, particularly with respect to cumulative changes in the Finance Bill for a family with a car. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry, SIMI,...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: I am concerned about this section. I do not support it because I have not seen evidence of the impact it will have, particularly on low-income households. I have raised some motorists' need for larger cars in the debate on numerous Finance Bills. I would like to raise the issue of how motor tax is charged, which I have continually raised with the Minister. As the Minister acknowledges, 8%...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: On section 37 and the reduction of VAT to 9% for the hospitality sector, I must say, as I did before, this is to be welcomed. We called for this reduction previously and would have liked for it to have been part of the July stimulus package. It was not but at least it is here now. As we know, it is to run from late this year to December 2021. On the review of this 9% VAT rate and whether...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: May I intervene on this point? It is a burning issue for many, and there has been some commentary on it over the last while. I have a question for the Minister on the background to this change. Is the Tax Appeals Commission's ruling relating to the €394,000 that was deemed to be paid by a company for the sale of church candles between 2013 and 2016 the instigation of this measure?...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: I thank the Minister for clarifying that it does not relate to the Tax Appeals Commission ruling. What is the revenue that is expected to be generated from the introduction of VAT on these products? I presume this applies when we purchase small candles for our homes as well and that it is not just church candles. Is that the case? It is all cylindrical candles we buy, so it is wider than...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: I move amendment No. 146: In page 62, between lines 24 and 25, to insert the following: “Report on applying full rate of stamp duty on non-residential property to all corporate structures including REIT and IREF in certain circumstances 47.The Minister shall, within six months of the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on introducing...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: We have seen the issue arise and we have seen the impact of it. I refer to Green REIT and Henderson Park, where a 1% stamp duty applied as opposed to the 7.5% that should have applied. This is a question of fairness and balance. There is not need for a further review. I am unconvinced. I ask the Minister to elaborate on why these structures should apply a stamp duty of 1% as compared...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: The purchase of shares is the purchase of property. When Green REIT sells to Henderson Park it does not sell only shares. Henderson Park owns all of the property. It is a property investment company. It is bricks and mortar that is being sold in this instance. There is a loophole in the law.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: Let us be clear on this. This is the sale of over €1 billion of property in the state. If a company in Ireland sold off hotels, apartments, shopping centres, residential units and so on a 7.5% stamp duty would apply but because this structure can sell the shares as a means of selling the property it gets away with paying stamp duty at 1%. It is ridiculous. It is a massive loophole...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2020: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Nov 2020)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister made changes in last year's Finance Bill in regard to this structure because it was going to get away with paying no stamp duty on a €1.3 billion sale of residential or non-residential property. As I said, 1% is better than nothing but the stamp duty on non-residential property is not 1%, it is 7.5%. This is not an entity that is engaged in selling shares. It is not a...