Results 12,441-12,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Tax Code. (20 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I provided detailed replies on the carbon report in response to previous parliamentary questions, including some of today's questions. The proposal on vehicle registration tax is based on moving the focus of VRT from engine size to a vehicle's CO2 emissions. I do not propose to provide details at this stage as this is a matter for announcement at the appropriate time. The proposal is to...

Tax Code. (20 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: With any rebalancing there will be winners and losers. In this case, the category into which one falls will depend on the type of vehicle one drives. We are trying to achieve an outcome broadly in line with what the Deputy suggests.

Tax Code. (20 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Measures such as the modernisation of the bus fleet obviously help to reduce the fleet's CO2 emissions and its contribution to environmental damage. A range of public transport initiatives have been introduced, including infrastructural projects and measures to remove trucks from some routes. People can see the visible improvement these measures have had, for example, in improving the...

Tax Code. (20 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Motor taxation is, primarily, a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as proceeds from it go to local government funds. It is a devolved matter in terms of the availability of the resources to local authorities. Therefore, I do not want to comment, pending the announcement of any arrangements the Minister wishes to make in that respect, particularly at...

Financial Services Regulation. (20 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave earlier on this question.

Financial Services Regulation. (20 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is aware that this area of the market accounts for just 2% of the Irish mortgage market, compared to about 15% in the United States. She is also aware that as regards lending in the market and taking steps to improve the situation for borrowers, people lending in the area uphold basic standards. Section 19 of the Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Act...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have noted the issues raised by the Deputy. It is a long-standing practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment in advance of the Budget on any tax or expenditure matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have travelled by air, on official business, on four occasions, once in each of the months July, September, October and November. Each of these trips was on Government Aircraft the cost of which is met by the Department of Defence. The Minister of State has travelled by air, on official business on two occasions, once in July and once in October at a cost of about €1600.00.

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am not the subject of enforcement proceedings for the non-transposition of EU directives into Irish Law. There are no Reasoned Opinions relating to the transposition of EU directives being dealt with by Department Officials.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 68 together. The Deputies may recall that I have answered Parliamentary Questions on this issue over the past year, including on 4 July 2007. 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...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and VRT (up to certain limit) on the purchase of a car adapted for the transport of a person with specific severe and permanent physical disabilities, as well as relief from excise on the fuel used in the car up to a certain limit. The disability criteria for eligibility for the tax concessions...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of receiving a request from the taxpayers for forms P21 for the year 2006. On receipt of the Deputy's query, the Revenue Commissioners processed reviews and resultant forms P21 2006 will issue to the taxpayers in the coming days.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Maritime Safety Bill is a Bill to empower the Minister to give directions to have ships moved in the interests of safety, security and heritage protection at sea; to transfer to the Minister the power to give effect to the international regulations for the prevention of collisions at sea; to establish maritime safety codes of practice; and to amend the Merchant Shipping Acts 1952 to 1993....

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I do not know whether a promise was made, but the Whips can consider the matter. I hope something will emerge.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Labour Party has its own.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: No further legislation is required to ensure increased capacity to address the driver testing issue resulting from the proposed changes announced by the Minister recently. This week, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government answered oral questions in the House. I do not know whether the matter referred to by Deputy Broughan was of sufficient priority to raise it at the...

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet must first sign off on the mandate and issues that arise. We will then bring the matter to the Oireachtas. I hope that will happen in the next few weeks.

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 18, the Charities Bill — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 17, Statements on Transport 21 (resumed).

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Bill was discussed with the whips and has been on the Order Paper for some time. There was no objection to it being taken next week. The contentions of the Opposition are without foundation. The idea that bringing forward amending legislation in respect of a tribunal of inquiries Act that dates back to 1924 should in some way represent "potential intimidation" of existing tribunals is...

Order of Business (15 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: That assertion is without foundation.