Results 13,621-13,640 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: They are the lifeblood of the housing industry. It is vital to have first-time buyers entering the market. In three budgets I made two carefully calibrated initiatives on stamp duty for first-time buyers: increasing the thresholds in 2005 and this year; and doubling the mortgage interest subsidy up to €125,000, not just for those going into the market to buy a house but also for those who...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is gross irresponsibility and it ill behoves anybody——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am talking to Senator John Paul Phelan, given that Fine Gael is a prospective majority partner in an alternative Government which has come forward with the daftest idea I have yet heard from anybody.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: If Senator John Paul Phelan asks anybody in the industry, he or she will tell him it is nonsense.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: As for any changes to the stamp duty regime, as Minister for Finance, I want people to think through carefully what they are doing given the importance of this sector for jobs in every community. People should be very careful what they are talking about.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: Senator Quinn asked how the country would deal with the question of philanthropy. A dialogue is required on that area. There is no doubt that private wealth has increased. We have not had a culture of philanthropy in the past of any great magnitude because not many people had the wealth to be philanthropic. In all these issues we must have balance between the public policy objective of...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——that we are not providing the moneys due to the BMW region. It is not correct to say that €3 billion has not been spent in the BMW region that would otherwise be spent. One of the economic programmes was based on whether there would be a take-up from business. That did not happen and obviously that money was not spent. It is not just a question of money spent up to 2006. Under the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I listened to the Senator in silence. On the Senator's specific question about the paediatric unit, etc., we can take it up with the Minister for Health and Children but major investments have been made in the health services and the road network in the west. Regarding the National Development Plan 2007-2013, I have reprioritised the Limerick-Galway road, including the outer orbital for...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——and the regional disparities will not be eliminated overnight but I refer the Senator to the ESRI report which shows they are reducing. I have confirmed that the national spatial strategy and the alignment of national development funding in the next seven years will greatly accelerate that trend in the right direction. It is true that unless we effect regional development and ensure...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are universities and multinational companies in the west. University College Galway is doing tremendously well in terms of research moneys, etc., because of its excellent relationship with——

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——all of those companies. I am proud, as I am sure is the Senator, to be a member of a party that has expanded university places by 40,000 in the past ten years. While I realise there are many in the Opposition who would like to highlight some shortcomings, as there will be in every walk of life at any time no matter how prosperous we are, I would make the point that the Government...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I will provide full clarification for the Senator and an accurate picture of the situation.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Finance Bill contains the legislative proposals to implement the tax changes which I announced in the budget last December. It also contains a range of other tax measures which will contribute significantly to underpinning growth in key sectors of the economy. The measures in the Bill reflect the continued commitment of the Government to the effective and fair management of the taxation...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2007 [Certified Money Bill]: Second Stage (28 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have never made such an assertion.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, which determines appeals from a refusal of a Primary Medical Certificate under the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Scheme, is independent in the execution of its functions. Queries in respect of the appeal should be addressed by the person concerned to the Secretary to the Board, Disabled Drivers...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: As Minister for Finance I have primary responsibility for civil service pensions. Other Ministers have primary responsibility for pensions in their own respective areas. The following figures show Net civil service expenditure for the years 2001 to 2006 and projected expenditure for each year to 2016. Actual Expenditure 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 €'000 €'000 €'000 €'000 €'000...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that individuals may claim tax relief in respect of the cost of 'service charges' (i.e. charges in respect of the provision of water for domestic purposes, domestic refuse collection or disposal or domestic sewage facilities) the details of which are contained in Revenue's Explanatory leaflet and claim form IT 27 Tax Relief for Service Charges which...

Written Answers — Licensed Premises: Licensed Premises (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: My Department will forward to the Deputy a comprehensive and up-to-date list of premises in Dublin City and County on the Licence Register, as held by the Revenue Commissioners, on 21 March 2007. The list, amounting to 970 licences, includes all "publicans ordinary premises", "hotels" and "hotels with public bar".

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not undertaking any specific investigation into individuals who enter into building contracts with companies that they own. Whether a transaction is artificial or is a genuine business transaction, at arm's length or otherwise, is a question of fact having regard to the facts and circumstances of each case. As to an income tax charge,...

Written Answers — Waste Management: Waste Management (27 Mar 2007)

Brian Cowen: With the Deputy's permission, I will take Questions Nos. 257 and 258 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that individuals may claim tax relief in respect of the cost of 'service charges' (i.e. charges in respect of the provision of water for domestic purposes, domestic refuse collection or disposal or domestic sewage facilities) the details of which are contained in Revenue's...