Results 12,141-12,160 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that I have not increased the rates of excise on petrol and diesel in the last three Budgets. In the Finance Bill 2005, I marginally increased the rates for auto-LPG, non-auto-LPG and fuel oil to comply with the minimum rates provided for in the EU Energy Tax Directive. In Budget 2006, I reduced the excise rates for kerosene, the primary fuel used...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, tax relief is available for donations to certain sports bodies for the funding of capital projects. To be eligible for the relief the sports body must be an Approved Sports Body and the donation must be for the purposes of an Approved Project. To be regarded as an Approved Sports Body, a sports body must obtain from the Revenue Commissioners both a valid tax...

Written Answers — Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme: Tourism Infrastructure Investment Scheme (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The legislation governing the Mid-Shannon Tourism Infrastructure Investment scheme provides for the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, in consultation with the Minister for Finance, to issue guidelines for the scheme. The development of these guidelines has been the subject of ongoing consultations between the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism and my Department. The guidelines are...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, that while they are engaged in a wide ranging consultation process with stakeholders, with the objective of expanding use of the Revenue On-line service for the filing of Tax Returns and payments, they have no plans to make this compulsory for all taxpayers. Last September the Revenue Commissioners announced they were beginning a detailed and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The VAT treatment of goods and services is governed by EU law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The rate of VAT that applies to a particular good or service is determined by the nature of the good or service, and not by the status of the customer. There is no provision in European VAT law that would allow the application of a reduction or removal of VAT on supplies of home heating fuel...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (4 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position is that, in general, an investor may dispose of BES shares after the specified five-year holding period without impacting on the relief previously granted in respect of those shares. Where shares are disposed of before that time, relief may be reduced or withdrawn. Where, however, as mentioned in the Deputy's question, an investor has invested for two consecutive years in the...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the estimated number of income earners on the income tax records in 2006 earning gross income of €38,000 or less is projected at 1,452,000. Gross income is income before adjustments are made in respect of capital allowances, interest paid, losses, allowable expenses, retirement annuities etc. but after deduction of superannuation contributions...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that an advance party of forty-nine (49) officers are due to occupy temporary accommodation in Athy on 3 December 2007. Training has been provided on an on-going basis to staff who are due to go to Athy from the Kildare Revenue District resources. Staff have been assigned to the District during the last two years. As new staff are assigned to the...

Written Answers — Drug Seizures: Drug Seizures (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the number of drug seizures by Customs where the estimated street value was €100,000 or greater since 1 January 2000 is 145. The total estimated street value of all such seizures is €302 million. The total estimated street value of all drugs seized by Customs since 1 January 2000 is €319...

Written Answers — Motor Fuels: Motor Fuels (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive incorporated special derogations which allowed specific excise duty reliefs to be applied in a number of Member States. In the Irish context, these derogations allowed for reduced rates to apply to fuel used for public transport services which includes school transport services. While these derogations expired on 31 December 2006, Ireland, along with other...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the VAT claim in respect of the person in question in County Westmeath has been approved for repayment on 27 November 2007.

Written Answers — Defence Forces Retirement Scheme: Defence Forces Retirement Scheme (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is an approved AVC scheme in place for enlisted personnel of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) which is restricted to death in service benefit. There is no AVC scheme in place for Commissioned Army Officers. It would be a matter for the Revenue Commissioners to consider any application for an AVC scheme if one was submitted to them for approval. In this regard, it would be open to...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Circular 20/98 deals with the classification of material as "top secret" and, inter alia, requires individual Departments to decide on the classification, necessity and amount of their own "top secret" material and to provide for formal reviews in this regard at Assistant Secretary level. Accordingly, the responsibility for carrying out reviews on their own material rests with Departments...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me make this point. Too often, the impression is left hanging that everything is wrong in the health service. The reality is that there are 5,000 people alive and well today who would have suffered perhaps fatal heart attacks if we had not implemented strategic changes in the area of treatment for heart disease, the other great killer. Major developments...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——does not happen again. Aside from the allocation of additional resources, it is clearly a question of redirecting resources to ensure we get the quality outcomes that all citizens are entitled to expect. If we can construct our debates so that this is the focus of our concern, bearing in mind that we are here to represent ordinary people, not interest groups or people who put forward...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: If we are prepared to do that, we can add to the quality of the debate.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Too often, however, the narrative is such that it does not add anything and, on occasion, takes away from the dignity of the House in the way that we conduct our debates.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The question of whether to reactivate the alcohol products Bill is under consideration. The drinks industry has taken a voluntary approach and is operating a code of conduct. We are working with the industry to ensure advertising is more responsible.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: People can have their view on these matters. I am bringing to the Deputy's attention the current status of the legislation.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand the immigration, residence and protection Bill will be introduced this session. The Government is anxious to see the nursing home support Bill enacted as quickly as possible.