Results 13,201-13,220 of 18,851 for speaker:Fergus O'Dowd

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I did not interrupt anybody so perhaps there might be some manners in the Chamber.

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The reason for introducing this legislation is that it is part of the EU-IMF deal. This Government is committed to the deal made by the previous Government in order to keep money coming into the country. This measure is an essential and fundamental part of that agreement. The reality is that if we do not enact it, the cheques will no longer be signed and the money will not come from the...

Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 [Seanad]: Committee Stage (14 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: It is in section 12.

Financial Services Regulation (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: -----and to the Garda Commissioner about the issue in order to have it investigated. I understand there is also a complaints commission to identify the issue and respond to it because the Deputy has made serious charges in the House. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I have been informed by departmental officials that the issue of such repossessions has not been brought...

Financial Services Regulation (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: The Deputy has raised very serious issues which I am glad to know he has already brought to the attention of a Garda superintendent in the Thurles area. They should also be known to the Garda Commissioner. The Deputy referred to a paddywagon. The implications for the gardaí who might have been present are serious and the matter needs to be investigated if a Garda vehicle was involved. In...

Financial Services Regulation (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I do not know enough about the issue, but I ask the Deputy to be very careful about any imputation of the integrity of gardaí in an action in which they might be involved if they act within the law.

Residential Property Charge (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank my constituency colleague, Deputy Kirk, for raising this important matter. The Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 broadened the revenue base for local authorities by introducing this charge. The non-principal private residence charge is set at €200 and liability for it falls, in the main, on rental holiday and vacant properties. Proceeds from the charge are paid to the local...

Suicide Prevention (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank Deputy Neville for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly. I would like to acknowledge, as does everybody in the House and throughout the country, the tremendous work Deputy Neville has done and continues to do in bringing issues relating to suicide to the attention of people. The problem of suicide is a grave problem facing...

Suicide Prevention (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for his comments which I will ensure are brought directly to the attention of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. The HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention is responsible for overseeing implementation of the national strategy for action on suicide prevention. The budget for suicide prevention measures is approximately €9 million, which includes the annual...

Tax Code (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Deputy for raising this very important matter which I am taking in the absence of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, who is unavoidably absent. I will begin by outlining the background to our 12.5% corporation tax rate and its importance to Ireland. I will then outline the background to the common consolidated corporate tax base, CCCTB, proposal before differentiating...

Tax Code (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I again thank Deputy Timmins for his comments. We have declared a willingness to participate constructively in the discussions on the common consolidated corporate tax base, CCCTB, draft directive and in the structured discussions on tax policy co-ordination in the framework of the Euro Plus Pact. We are committed to active engagement on the tax dossiers because only by actively engaging...

Financial Services Regulation (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: On a point of information. I understand the issue was directed to the Minister for Finance, not the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Financial Services Regulation (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I will be replying on behalf of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan. Deputy Mattie McGrath has placed serious issues on the record. I urge him to write to the Garda superintendent in his district-----

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: This is a good debate. We would be happy to respond to the resubmitted amendments on Report Stage. Notwithstanding the points made by the Senator, many of the issues are technical. I appreciate the short notice given of the Bill. I could address these issues if I can----

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: We will be looking at this tomorrow. As I understand it, the document regarding the €100 million was submitted by the Department long before the legislation was published. The recently published Estimates Volume shows that the household charge is estimated to yield €160 million to the local government fund in 2012. That has been the clear intention of the Government and is clearly...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I thank the Senator for tabling the amendment. The Minister recognises that introducing this waiver could have the unintended effect of households in less problematic unfinished estates seeking to have their estate classified as category 3 or 4. This would potentially impact on the Government's priority target of reducing the number of such estates. In addition, there may also be pressure...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011 - Committee Stage (Resumed) (8 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Amendments Nos. 13, 22 and 26a are required to effect technical and drafting modifications in the Bill. They do not in any way impact on the policy or intent of the legislation. Their objective is to enhance the clarity of the text for the reader.

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Some very useful ideas have been mentioned and clarity has been brought to the proposition before us and the amendments. I want to discuss what this charge is all about and who will pay it. The Bill states anybody who lives in a house rented from a local authority will not pay the charge. The more likely person to fall into this category, to use it as a broad definition, would be living in...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: I am happy to respond to the Senator. Those who own their own homes but cannot pay the mortgage and are getting assistance under the definition of poverty of an exceptional need as used by a community welfare officer will not pay the charge. People living in housing estates which do not have the proper infrastructure, as defined under categories 3 and 4, will not pay the charge. Therefore,...

Seanad: Local Government (Household Charge) Bill 2011: Committee Stage (7 Dec 2011)

Fergus O'Dowd: Section 12 makes provision for such circumstances.