Results 12,921-12,940 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is no Supplementary Estimate promised. The point to be made about all this is that, in the context of resource allocation and reform of the health services, if we want to have sustainable improvements, we must work within the budgetary guidelines we have. If we do not do so, given the economic scenario of the next few years, we will put at risk many of the real improvements that have...

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: To be frank, I have no idea how it will be dealt with.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: It will be in the future.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are 18 Bills on the Order Paper, some of which will be dealt with in this session and others which will be published. The Bill in question will be published some time next year.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that the money laundering Bill has any relevance to that particular matter.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: Preparation of the Bill has commenced in developing a framework and clarification of policy objectives following the enactment of the Pharmacy Act 2007. It is not possible to indicate when it will be published.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: He is responsible and it was a Government decision.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for the Whips. If the House wishes to have a debate on this important matter, it should be possible to arrange time for a short debate.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (10 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, Contracts For Difference (CFDs) relate to taking a position on the future movement of a price, either up or down, of a share, a commodity or an index such as a stock market index. There is nothing inherently wrong in this, and appropriate use of derivative products such as these by sufficiently sophisticated investors can help to provide liquidity and depth to the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (10 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: From the outset both the Government and I have made it clear that participation in the decentralisation programme is voluntary. Across the public service, recruitment and promotion practices generally are being managed in a way which facilitates the achievement of the Decentralisation Programme in an efficient manner. In that context agreement has been reached with the Civil Service unions...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (10 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: My Department has suffered no loss of assets through fire, theft or flooding during the years 2004, 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007. However, I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that during the period in question a number of laptops with a replacement value of approximately €17,000 inclusive of VAT were stolen from Revenue Offices. The thefts were reported to Gardaí for...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (10 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax (up to a certain limit) on the purchase of an adapted car for 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 these concessions...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (10 Oct 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 — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (10 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: As part of the decentralisation programme it is intended that Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) will decentralise 200 of its Dublin based Headquarter posts to Dungarvan, Co Waterford. Arrangements to decentralise are proceeding in accordance with the OSI implementation plan and a site has been acquired by Office of Public Works Dungarvan for the OSI headquarters. A schedule of accommodation...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The National Pensions Reserve Fund was established on 2 April 2001 under the provisions of the National Pensions Reserve Fund Act 2000. Section 18 of the Act provides for the payment from the Exchequer each year into the Fund of a sum equivalent to 1% of Gross National Product (GNP). Under the provisions of the Act, €6,515 million was transferred from the Temporary Holding Fund for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy in a format which presents the data in terms of the numbers who are actually paying tax at the higher rate is set out in the following table. Tax year Exempt (Standard rate liability fully covered by credits or Age Exemption Limits) Paying tax at the standard rate (including those whose liability at the higher rate is fully offset by credits) Higher...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: Since the £5 travel tax was abolished in Budget 2000 there have been no Irish Government taxes levied on flights into, out of or within Ireland.

Written Answers — Vehicle Registration: Vehicle Registration (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners are the vehicle registration authority in the State. Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) may be payable on the importation of a vehicle from Northern Ireland into the State. As a general rule all vehicles imported permanently into the State from Northern Ireland or elsewhere must register for VRT purposes at any vehicle registration office within one week of their...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to review the rent-a-room scheme in the way suggested by the Deputy. The position is that section 14 of Finance Act 2007 amended section 216A of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which exempts from income tax, income received from the letting of rooms in a person's private residence provided the income does not exceed €7,620 per annum. The amendment provided that the...

Written Answers — Higher Education Grants: Higher Education Grants (9 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no record of receiving a request from the taxpayer for a form P21. Following the Deputy's request a review has been processed for 2006 and a form P21 issued to the taxpayer on 4 October 2007.