Results 13,281-13,300 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is the Taoiseach's view that Ministers put on the list legislation which can be achieved in the timeframe of the list. Many Departments have ambitions for legislation which cannot be achieved in a timely fashion because of its complexity or because it is in the early stage of preparation. Rather than putting such legislation on lists and raising expectations of immediate legislative...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Ombudsman Bill is such a Bill. I presume I can, with the consent of the leader of the Labour Party, drop it from the list, if that is the logical outcome of this interaction. The Chief Whip is anxious, with the co-operation of Ministers, to make sure the list is an accurate reflection of what will be possible during the coming term. There is a huge amount of legislation in various...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The answer to Deputy Broughan's question is no, to my knowledge. With regard to Deputy Durkan's question, I do not know what is the process of consultation. The text of the broadcasting authority of Ireland Bill has been approved by the Government and is due for publication this year. There has been no change in the Postal (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. That wagon remains unrepaired and...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I cannot answer that question directly. The Deputy will have to take it up with the Minister concerned.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I will ask the Minister concerned to return to the Deputy on it.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill were approved some time ago and it is expected to be published this year.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The property services regulatory authority Bill will provide for the establishment of a property services regulatory authority to give effect to the report of auctioneering-estate agency review group. Is that the issue to which the Deputy is referring?

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: A number of Departments have responsibilities for dealing with this matter which is at interdepartmental stage. I will get back to Deputy on the matter.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is on Order for Second Stage, which Deputy Kehoe, as Whip, should know.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: That will be a matter for formal advice from the Attorney General, but all the indications, based on previous experience, are that such a treaty will require a referendum. The Taoiseach indicated in a press conference immediately after the EU summit that it will be some time next year before he will consider bringing it before the people. It is likely, subject to detailed advice from the...

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: We are blamed for the weather now.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: It will be introduced this year rather than this summer.

Order of Business (28 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: This issue arose in the past couple of days as a result of a case that has been publicised. Consideration must be given to its impact and applicability.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The tax system can be used either to encourage or to deter certain behaviours which have an impact on the environment. I have been using the tax system to promote good environmental behaviour through the following policies:excise relief of over 200 million euro for biofuels over 5 years from 2006; 50% VRT relief for flexible fuel vehicles, hybrid cars and electric cars; the inclusion of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: Reduced rates of stamp duty on second-hand residential property for first-time buyers were introduced in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2000 in order to assist first-time buyers entering the housing market. The Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007, that was recently published, will exempt first-time buyers from stamp duty on all houses. To qualify for relief, the purchaser or purchasers must declare that...

Written Answers — Interpretation Act 2005: Interpretation Act 2005 (27 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy may be aware, Section 22 of the Interpretation Act 2003 is of general application and statutory instruments, or indeed related decisions, are not made under that provision. The Section provides for a general rule that a statutory instrument made under other enactments can be revoked or amended even though those enactments do not contain an express power to do so. In this...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that incapacitated child tax credit can be claimed by a parent for a child who is permanently incapacitated either physically or mentally from maintaining himself or herself and had become so before reaching 21 years of age or finishing full-time education. The term "child" includes stepchild, formally adopted child, informally adopted child or any...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that tax relief at the standard rate of tax is available for tuition fees paid for certain full-time and part-time approved undergraduate courses of at least two years duration. Tax relief is also available for tuition fees paid for certain approved training courses in the areas of IT and foreign languages and for fees paid for certain approved...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The position is that the tax system does not provide relief in respect of private tuition expenses incurred by parents who have children with dyslexia. The general issue of provision for children with special educational needs, including those with dyslexia, was discussed during the Finance Bill 2007 debates in the Dáil. In recent years, the supports available through the direct...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Certificate of discharge from Capital Acquisition Tax issued to the applicant on 25 June 2007. The certificate was forwarded to the person's agents.