Results 13,381-13,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: As part of the overall decentralisation programme, it is intended that 100 staff of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and 100 staff of the Valuation Office will be decentralised to Youghal, Co. Cork. It is also intended that 100 staff of the Office of Public Works will decentralise to Kanturk, Co Cork. I am informed by PAS and the Valuation Office that the number of people who have...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together I should point out to the Deputy that gifts or inheritances of dwelling-houses taken on or after 1 December 1999 are exempt from Capital Acquisitions Tax provided certain conditions relating to prior occupation, ownership of another dwelling-house and continued occupation are met. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that details...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: Under Section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, tax relief, under the heading of health expenses, may be claimed in respect of the services of a practitioner and in respect of diagnostic procedures carried out on the advice of a practitioner. The cost of psychotherapy sessions will qualify for tax relief where such sessions are -: the services of a practitioner; or diagnostic...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to examine the scope for reducing the VAT rate on environmental goods and services from the standard VAT rate of 21 per cent to the reduced rate of 13.5 per cent. I should state that this is just one of a number of Government initiatives in the Programme aimed at delivering a cleaner environment. In carrying out this examination account will...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The last two Governments have developed policies which are designed to help Ireland's competitiveness and this Government intends to continue these policies. Important policy issues in the medium-term include: developing our innovation potential, improving the regulatory environment, enhancing the human capital of our country and developing our economic and technological infrastructure. By...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: While the promotion of biofuel is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that in Finance Act 2006 I provided for significant tax measures to promote biofuels in Ireland. This scheme, which received the necessary EU State Aid approval, commenced in November 2006 and will: provide for excise relief...

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Programme for Government sets out clearly the Government's guiding economic and fiscal principles for the next five years. We are fully committed to a responsible fiscal policy, including keeping the budget in broad balance. Updates of the economic and fiscal projections for the 2007-2009 period presented in Budget 2007 will be presented in my Department's next Pre-Budget Outlook, to be...

Written Answers — Carbon Tax: Carbon Tax (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together. 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...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: Over ten thousand six hundred civil and public servants have applied to relocate under the Programme. Of these, approximately 5,600 or 53% are currently based in Dublin. The Central Applications Facility remains open and continues to receive applications. Discussions have concluded on a number of human resource and industrial relations matters and are being progressed on other issues. At...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: When the Government's Decentralisation Programme was first announced, it was stated that the overall objective would be to ensure that property being acquired at a regional level is matched as closely as possible, both in time and in cost terms, by the disposal of property currently held in the Dublin region, whether held on lease or otherwise. In November 2004 the Decentralisation...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Director General of the Central Statistics Office has sole responsibility for, and is independent in, deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Deciding what items are included in the basket and goods and service is a matter for him. The CSO currently publishes a CPI figure excluding Tobacco every month. The...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputies for their contributions. As Deputy Mansergh pointed out, this issue was discussed at length and in detail at the instigation of the Opposition which came forward with proposals that it then changed four times in three weeks — that is how well thought out they were. It was also pointed out that they would cost at least €500 million to implement.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I listened to the Deputy in silence. He has rabbited on about this issue for months.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I will listen to the Deputy within the order of the House.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: There seems to be an incapacity on the part of Fine Gael to go with the order of the House on anything today.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I know Fine Gael is upset about losing the election and the quicker we let it go on its holidays the better because everyone is very upset.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I represent people too and they heard this argument in great detail and took the common sense approach we have adopted. That is why we have come forward with a proposal in line with our commitment, as I said we would. We are not coming back from the Áras to look for money in the bottom drawers of offices in the Department; we are basing this on what is affordable, targeted and credible. I...

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is necessary to restore stability to the market quickly——

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——after all the nonsense that has been ongoing for six months, which I am glad to say the people have rejected, despite Fine Gael's effort to buy them off.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2007: Order for Second Stage. (26 Jun 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."