Results 13,261-13,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Office of Public Works (OPW) that suitable accommodation has been identified for the Revenue Commissioners in Kilrush. The Chief State Solicitor is in consultation with the landlord's solicitor with a view to concluding the leasing of the premises. I am also advised by Revenue that its networking, telephony installations and other preparations are all completed and that...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and VAT may be payable on the importation of a car from Great Britain and Northern Ireland into the State. As a general rule all cars imported permanently into the State from Great Britain and Northern Ireland or elsewhere must register for VRT purposes within one week of their arrival in the State. VRT is payable...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, this Government acknowledges the continuing cost pressures on parents, particularly those with young children. Childcare is probably the single biggest issue facing working parents today. That is why in Budget 2006 the Government introduced a suite of support measures in tandem with further increases in Child Benefit payments. These support measures include the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: Promotions generally within the Civil Service are regulated by agreements reached at the General Council of the Scheme of Conciliation and Arbitration for the Civil Service. In relation to the implementation of the Decentralisation Programme, discussions have taken place at the General Council Sub-Committee on Decentralisation and arrangements have been put in place providing for a standard...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: A fixed stamp duty is chargeable on ATM cards, Laser cards, cards with combined ATM & Laser functions, credit card accounts and on cheques. There are no other stamp duty charges on current accounts. The stamp duty rates applicable are as follows: Stamp Duty Rate Application Cheques 15c Applied when cheque book is issued ATM Cards €10 Applied on all cards active on 31 December each...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 467 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 allows a deduction from an individual's total income for tax purposes in respect of the costs incurred by that individual of employing another person to take care of himself or herself or a relative who is totally incapacitated by reason of physical or mental infirmity. For the purposes of the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The age exemption limits apply to income earners aged 65 or over. Where an elderly individual or married couple has income at or below the limits, no income tax is payable. In 1997, the limits had a value of €5,841/€11,682 (single/married) for earners aged 65 to 74 with increased values of €6,603/€13,206 (single/ married) applying in the case of couples aged 75 or over. For 2007,...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (28 Jun 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 — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: Based on the most recent data available from the Revenue Commissioners, it is estimated that the number of claimants in the Disabled Drivers and the Disabled Passengers [Tax Concessions] Regulations 1994 Scheme in 2006, was approximately 11,000. An application for a Primary Medical Certificate (PMC) under the Scheme is made to the Senior Medical Officer for the relevant local Health Services...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: Customs duties, VAT and excise duty where applicable are payable on goods purchased over the Internet and imported into Ireland from outside of the EU. Consignments of a negligible value, i.e. not exceeding a value of €22, do not attract import charges. However, this relief does not apply to tobacco products, alcoholic products, perfumes or toilet waters. Further relief is available for...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a1, Roads Bill 2007 [Seanad] — Second Stage.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the first matter, the Ethics Bill that was prepared in my Department is on the Order Paper for the Seanad, which has not yet dissolved.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: It could, perhaps, be taken next week in the Seanad and brought back immediately to the Dáil and dealt with here in this session if Deputy Kenny so wishes. It deals specifically with the issues the Taoiseach and former Tánaiste outlined to us.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is my intention that we would legislate. If we can do it this week, with agreement, we could do it. We will wait to see what the story is on that. However, it will be legislated on as quickly as possible. In respect of the other matter, I am not sure whether that is the legislative change required under the Road Transport Act 1932. There is a wider policy issue in respect of the...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill is due to be published and taken some time this year. In respect of the other matter, the report of the Standards in Public Office Commission will obviously be considered internally in my Department in the first instance. If there are any views to be taken or changes or modifications by the Government in the future, they will be dealt with by...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The timing of publication of these lists is determined by the time at which the Government makes the decision. If the decision is made at a Government meeting immediately prior to the resumption of the House the list will be published as soon as possible thereafter. When the Government makes a decision on its intended legislative programme it will be published and circulated to Members as...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill have been approved by Government. It is a matter for the new Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to prioritise the list of Bills he wishes to bring forward. I will bring Deputy Coveney's interest in this matter to the Minister's attention.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I cannot answer Deputy Crawford's second question at this stage. Given the new Administration is only beginning to take effect, a parliamentary question to the line Minister would be the best way of eliciting exact information regarding the timing and prioritisation of legislation. The enforcement of fines Bill will end imprisonment, where practicable, for inability to pay fines and will...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is a committee, including the Attorney General and the Government Chief Whip, which meets regularly. I am sure this system brought equal frustration to Deputy Higgins in his time as a Minister——

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy's legislative record is better than he is inclined to indicate.