Results 11,921-11,940 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Economic Competitiveness. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that little is happening in practice. An efficiency review has been put in place to see how we can look at issues there. In respect of the overall point made by Deputy Bruton, be it in respect of utility prices or electricity, and the Minister concerned with the advent of the all-island electricity market, which brings its own competitive pressures, we are moving from the...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: On budget day, my Department projected a GDP growth rate of 3% for this year and a GNP growth rate of 2.8%. While lower than that experienced in recent years, this is still a robust rate of growth, given the prevailing international conditions. At budget time, my Department estimated that house completions in 2008 would be around 55,000 units. I believe that, in aggregate terms, the budget...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is evidence that there will be some reduction in the residential housing output and, therefore, less employment in the construction sector. However, as far as construction industry forecasts are concerned, there is still activity in commercial property, house renovation and the increased impact of extra investment in the Government's capital investment programme. There are some...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have a responsibility whether times are good or bad. The consistent policy framework we have adopted over the past ten years has served the country well. During that period there was extraordinary economic growth and employment creation with a reduction of our indebtedness by half. We are in a position to withstand some of these external shocks far more capably than would otherwise have...

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: Public service pay must develop in a manner consistent with competitiveness, price stability and budgetary policy. Government policy on public service pay is that the public service should be in a position to attract and retain its fair share of good quality staff at all levels. It should neither lead the market nor trail it. The current public service pay agreement under Towards 2016...

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: The pay of public servants is set by reference to rates in the private sector. The review body, like the benchmarking body, the Labour Court and the arbitration boards, is part of the established pay determination machinery. Both the review body and the benchmarking body compared public sector jobs to jobs of equal value in the private sector. The review body found that the salaries of...

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is correct is that we have pay determination systems in order to have an orderly——

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let me explain to the Deputy why it is correct.

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am anxious to answer the Deputy's question but I cannot answer it while he is talking. He is not helping me and is creating confusion.

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the pay-related matters it is true we did not accept that recommendation because this would have provided for higher remuneration again. It is true we accepted the recommendation on basic rates which allowed for a 7.3% increase on average for those recommended by the review body. The benchmarking exercise which seeks to relate public service provision for pay and remuneration...

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am answering the Deputy's question.

Benchmarking Process. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the pay determination system which is in place and it works well. It makes for an orderly public service pay round. Now that the Towards 2016 pay provisions will end in September we must see whether we can negotiate a further pay round.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (30 Jan 2008)

Brian Cowen: The proposals published by the Commission begin the process which will lead to an agreement on the contributions of individual member states towards meeting the EU targets agreed at the 2007 EU Spring Council. The Commission's proposals require Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, based on 2005 emissions figures and achieve an overall target of 16% of final energy...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs Service has primary responsibility for the implementation of drugs enforcement controls at all airports and private airfields/ aerodromes in the State. I presume that the Deputy is referring to customs controls in place at the airfields and aerodromes outside of our three major international community airports at Dublin, Cork and...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: 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 (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are no Revenue charges on transactions carried out using either debit cards or credit cards. There is, however, a stamp duty on financial cards which is being reduced as announced in my recent Budget speech. The charges are: A 25 per cent cut in the duty on credit cards reducing the charge from €40 to €30; A 50 per cent cut in the duty on ATM and debit cards reducing the charge...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is presumed the Deputy is referring to the costs relative to the old residential stamp duty rules which were in place prior to Budget 2008. These costs are a function of the actual and estimated number of transactions and the price levels at which these transactions take place, and are therefore sensitive to cyclical changes in the housing market. The estimated cost of restructuring stamp...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the available information in respect of the number of cars (new and used) imported into Ireland for the years 2005, 2006 and the period 1 January to 30 November 2007 is as follows: Year 2005 New 171,881 Used 41,801 Total 213,682 2006 New 178,265 Used 56,327 Total 234,592 2007 New 186,323 (Jan to Nov) Used 56,864 Total...

Written Answers — Child Care Services: Child Care Services (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are no childcare facilities specifically for the children of civil servants in my Department. The Office of Public Works acts as agent for my Department in developing crèches around the country for the children of civil servants as part of an initiative by the Government to improve childcare provision and increase the number of childcare places available in Ireland. The Interim Board...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Where appropriate, financial provision is made in the relevant supply services as published in the Estimates for the Public Services and accounted for in the annual Appropriation Accounts. In relation to statutory bodies, financial information is provided in their published accounts.