Results 13,101-13,120 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: That is an example of openness and transparency which the Deputy's party might internalise.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible to say at this stage when or if that legislation will be brought forward, in view of the fact it is a North-South issue and there is also a referendum to be held on children's rights next year.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Exchequer returns for the first six months are quite strong and in line with expectations.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 1a, Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad] — Second and Subsequent Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) Second and Subsequent Stages of No. 1a shall be taken today and the following arrangements shall apply: (i) the proceedings on Second Stage shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a...

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have no problem accepting Deputy Quinn's proposed amendment to the Order of Business.

Order of Business (5 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Given the timing of the election in 1997 and 2002, it was not possible to constitute committees before the Dáil rose for the summer recess on those occasions either. I am not in a position to take amendments to the Order of Business in respect of our return.

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

Brian Cowen: The Programme for Government signals that a carbon tax/levy will be introduced over the lifetime of this Government. The matter of the introduction of a carbon tax is one of the issues to be considered by the new Commission on Taxation to be established under the Programme. Consequently, at this stage, the precise design of such a tax has yet to be determined. This will, of course, form an...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (4 Jul 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 — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: On Budget day, 6 December 2006, my Department forecast that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation would be 4.1 per cent this year. This forecast was based on the normal technical assumption of unchanged interest rates. The Budget day forecast for inflation on a Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) basis — the EU inflation measure — was 2.6 per cent this year. As is the norm, my...

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

Brian Cowen: The information on the records held by the Revenue Commissioners relates to income from work or other sources received by individuals. There are many taxpayers who are nominally liable at the higher rate of tax but who effectively pay tax at no more than the standard rate of tax. This is due to their higher rate liability for tax being fully offset by the value of their personal credits, as...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: Section 32 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 requires financial institutions to take reasonable measures to identify their customers. Recommended procedures for the implementation of this provision are set out in Guidance Notes issued under the aegis of the Money Laundering Steering Committee which is chaired by the Department of Finance and includes representatives of financial services...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the only relevant information available is in respect of income tax relief allowed for contributions to Retirement Annuity Contracts for the income tax year 2003, which are available to the self-employed and to employees not in occupational pension schemes. A distribution by income ranges of the number of cases, amount of deduction and reduction...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (4 Jul 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 excise 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...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: On Budget day, 6th December 2006, my Department forecast that Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation would be 4.1 per cent this year. This forecast was based on the normal technical assumption of unchanged interest rates. The Budget day forecast for the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) inflation — the EU inflation measure — was 2.6 per cent this year. Since budget day there have...

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

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in addition to his normal tax credits (married credit, employee credit and other reliefs), the taxpayer has received and continues to receive the Incapacitated Child tax credit for all relevant years. A claim for travel costs to and from hospital has been received and allowed under the heading of Health Expenses for each of the years...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have primary responsibility for Civil Service pensions. My colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is primarily responsible for the Local Government Superannuation code. Prior to 31 July 1973 female public servants (with very limited exceptions) were required by law to resign on marriage. In such cases, employees who had at least five years service (six...

Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: The efficacy of the situation must proceed.

Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: As Deputy Kenny noted, the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007 is before the Seanad today. My understanding is that it will not be taken in the Dáil tomorrow but if the Deputy wishes, it will be taken on the Dáil's return. It will be taken as soon as it is sensible to so do and when Members are available to take it. Were it to be taken all day tomorrow and subsequently...

Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: I had assumed that others would retain the same people on the commission as had served on it heretofore.

Order of Business (4 Jul 2007)

Brian Cowen: No, I have not. In respect of that particular area of responsibility, I have been concentrating on the Bill that is before the Seanad at present. Obviously annual reports that are received from the commission are considered in due course in the context of any future legislation or consolidation of legislation that may be required in future or given consideration at that stage. I have not...