Results 11,941-11,960 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: I take it that the Deputy is referring to securitisation special purpose vehicles (SPVs). Securitisation SPVs are as a general rule unaffiliated in terms of their ownership structure. It is an essential function of these SPVs that they are not owned by the originating institution; this allows the investor to rely on the asset within the SPV, and protects the investor from any risk of exposure...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information the Deputy requires is as follows: 1.Average PO age (combined standard and higher scale) = 53 2.Average AP age (combined AP std & AP HS) = 52 3.Average HEO age (combined HEO std & HEO HS) = 49 4.Relocating to other departments/offices from former taxes grades 2006/2007 = 19 5.Retirements/resignations at PO, AP & HEO in 2006 PO10...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: One Hundred and twenty-two (122) staff of my Department have decentralised to Tullamore and a further four (4) have accepted offers of decentralisation. Of those in Tullamore eighty two (82) staff transferred from Dublin posts to Tullamore, twenty-five (25) were serving in various other locations in the country and fifteen (15) were recruited specifically for Tullamore. About thirty (30)...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The term "complex financial instrument" is not defined in Irish legislation and, as mentioned in the media and elsewhere, embraces a wide range of financial instruments, particularly in the area of derivatives. Accordingly, I have no data on the extent of usage of such instruments. If the Deputy has a concern about a specific instrument, I shall be happy to make further enquiries on the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In my role as the Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. The day-to-day responsibility for the supervision of financial institutions is a matter for the Financial Regulator. The Pensions Board is responsible for the regulation of occupational pension schemes and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts in Ireland as...

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

Brian Cowen: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the threshold relating to the restriction on the use of tax reliefs by high income individuals, which I announced in Budget 2006 and which took effect on 1 January 2007. While preliminary tax payments will have been received for 2007, income tax returns, which will demonstrate the effect of the restriction, are not due to be made until late 2008. It...

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

Brian Cowen: The latest relevant information available is based on tax returns by individuals and companies of tax exempt income arising from stallion stud fees for the tax year 2005. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the total number of such returns was 185 with the total exempt income reported at €51.8 million, an average of €280,000. There are 13 returns of stallion stud fees in excess...

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

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that its Large Cases Division looks after the tax affairs of high wealth individuals. The 2005 income tax returns show that 19 of these individuals filed returns on which they claimed non-residency for Irish tax purposes. I am further advised by the Revenue Commissioners that residence is a feature of its risk-based programmes and that the procedures...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will appreciate, consultation of the nature referred to is undertaken with a wide range of persons, groups, bodies and agencies across the very wide spectrum of budgetary and other policy and administrative matters relating to my Department. If the Deputy has a question about a specific item, I will make appropriate inquiries.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy missed his break.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: That is a matter for the Adjournment.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: No.

Appointment of Chairperson of the Standards in Public Office Commission: Motion (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move: That, pursuant to subsections (2A) (inserted by section 2 of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001 (No. 31 of 2001)), of section 21 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 (No. 22 of 1995), Dáil Éireann recommends the appointment of Mr. Justice Matthew P. Smith, a former Judge of the High Court, by the President on the advice of the Government to be the chairperson of the...

Appointment of Ordinary Member of Standards in Public Office Commission: Motion (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move: That, pursuant to subsection (2)(b)(v) (inserted by section 2 of the Standards in Public Office Act, 2001 (No. 31 of 2001)), of section 21 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995 (No. 22 of 1995), Dáil Éireann approves the proposed appointment by the Government of Mr. Michael Smith (being a former member of Dáil Éireann and not being a member of the European Parliament) to be an...

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Whoever holds the office.

Order of Business (19 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: My confidence is far better founded than the Deputy's.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The available evidence suggests that rents have increased on average by just under 10% over the past year. The increase in rent relief I announced in Budget 2008 is in line with these increases. Rent relief has increased by a cumulative 57% over the past four Budgets. I would point out that expenditure measures are also employed to assist those on lower incomes, many of whom are out of the...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they work very closely with other Agencies in limiting and attempting to prevent the importation of drugs into the State. In the control of coastal smuggling, the co-operation of the Navy, the Garda Síochána, fishermen's organisations, harbour authorities and of coastal communities is hugely valuable. The Customs responsibility is for the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that, as outlined in Annex D to the Summary of 2008 Budget Measures, in respect of pre-owned cars imported after 1 July 2008, the CO2 emissions will have to be declared to the Revenue Commissioners on form VRT4 (declaration for registration of a used vehicle) by the person registering the vehicle. The declaration will be required to be supported by...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (18 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that €1,287 million was received in 2006 and they estimate that €1,420 million VRT will be received in 2007. The White Paper, Estimates of Receipts and Expenditure, published on Saturday 1 December last includes, inter alia, my Department's pre-Budget estimate of tax revenue for 2008. The 2008 pre-Budget estimate for Excise Duties, which includes...