Results 12,561-12,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the persons in question will, in accordance with Section 1020 Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, be treated as single persons during the year of marriage. On receipt of a claim by either party, their tax liability will be reviewed after the end of the year to ensure that the tax paid as single persons was not in excess of tax which would have been...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The scheme of performance-related awards in the civil service applies to Deputy and Assistant Secretaries and equivalent grades. It does not apply to Secretaries General. Details of awards to individual officers under the performance related scheme are not disclosed on the basis that they are confidential to the officer concerned. However I can say that during 2007 awards totalling...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have today issued a letter to the principal contractor in this case. The letter advises them that, under Section 17 of the Finance Act 1970, they are obliged to deduct tax at 35% from each payment made to a contractor, and that they should issue a Form RCTDC (C45) when such payments are being made. They have been advised to do this...

Seanad: Pre-Budget Outlook: Statements (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I welcome the opportunity to present to the Seanad my pre-budget outlook, launched on Thursday, 18 October, and I look forward to listening to the views of Members in this regard and examining them in the context of preparations for the budget. I apologise for my inability to stay as long as I would wish because of other commitments during the course of this day. It is an especially busy...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Was the Deputy going around Dublin North-East wearing a black cape?

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I commend the Deputy on his assiduous attention to his constituency, even at that hour of the night. It is obviously a competitive constituency.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Fortunately, no legislation has been promised on Hallowe'en, nor was legislation required or promised with regard to the separation of the airports. The Deputy mentioned the group from that region who spoke about an allocation of €53 million for route promotion. That was a recommendation from a group in that area, not a Government commitment.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is obviously an economic and tourism package being dealt with and the reference to €53 million comes from that.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Legislation on mandatory breath testing is due to be introduced next year.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be dealt with in this session.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It will be published in this session.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is probably best to ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who took office following the election what priority it has. I will ask the Minister to communicate with the Deputy.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: That important legislation will be introduced next year. Indeed, I recall that the last committee to deal with this some years ago included the late Deputy Cluskey and former Deputy John Bruton.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 13, Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Bill 2007 — Second Stage (resumed) and No. 14, Charities Bill 2007 — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business, No. 24, motion re Civil Unions Bill 2006 (resumed), is to be taken immediately after the Order of Business and to conclude after 90 minutes.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: No.

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that legislation is promised to place the guidelines the Deputy mentioned on a statutory footing. The problem with all industrial relations disputes is that they usually arise when people do not engage in best industrial relations practice. On the particular issue causing a problem at the moment, the public will look askance at the fact that determining who puts a light bulb...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I dealt with this matter as Minister for the public service in the context of how all public servants are treated when the right to an entitlement to a pension arises. The question of social welfare policy is a matter in the first instance for the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, but the legislative provisions relating to late claims for social welfare benefits are set out in section...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am not sure whether legislation is promised, but I can reply to the Deputy if he wishes. At Waterford Wedgewood's AGM on 11 October, the company outlined that its sales were down by 9% due to the impact of the dollar exchange rate, which has since deteriorated further. That issue is not within the Government's control. The group announced that it was in final talks to place 50 million...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Legislation promised in this area relates to the alcohol products control of advertising, sponsorship and marketing practices-sales promotion Bill, which is designed to protect children and adolescents from over-exposure to alcohol advertising. The Minister has received the first report from the monitoring group established to oversee adherence to the voluntary codes. The Department and the...

Order of Business (1 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: In both cases the heads of the Bills have not been agreed. Preparatory work continues on both Bills and the expected publication date is next year. I will bring the Deputy's inquiry to the attention of the relevant Ministers and see how they can be expedited. It is a question of priority legislation taking precedence, but I take the point that they are both important Bills in their fields....