Results 13,961-13,980 of 26,901 for speaker:Richard Boyd Barrett

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Departmental Properties (6 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 31. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review all school lands and examine the way in which to protect the lands for the use of schools into the future, in view of recent issues that have arisen with regard to the sale of lands at schools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31799/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs (6 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 48. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the commitments in the programme for Government to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. [29820/17]

Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That is a difficult argument to sustain.

Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: That is the estimate referring to expenditure by people who would come to visit. That is obviously significant and would generate employment, spin-off activity and tax revenue. I note in passing, because it is relevant, that we need to look again at the 9% VAT rate. The rate was brought in because the economy was on its knees. There was an argument about the need to resuscitate...

Rugby World Cup 2023 Bill 2017: Second Stage (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Like Deputy Barry and many others who have spoken or commented on this Bill, I believe we would all welcome a globally important sporting event such as the Rugby World Cup to the country for a range of reasons. Obviously, significant numbers of people in this country appreciate the sport and many people play and love the sport. There also will be potentially a significant economic benefit...

Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It amazes that the Minister does not acknowledge the scale of the damage and distortion the movement of these funds into the property market has caused. I ask him to tell us, although I know that he will not, how much tax has been forgone as a result of section 110 and the REIT tax breaks. We can never get an answer to that question. They are still benefiting from them and, as we know,...

Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Tax the accountancy firms.

Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 23. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will review the tax breaks for real estate investment trusts and vulture funds in view of the fact that they are in many cases sitting on properties and the desired affect of increasing supply is not being realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31473/17]

Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Not for the first time, it was reported in the newspapers at the weekend in respect of REITS and vulture funds, which are co-investors with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund, ISIF, which is the State investment fund, and which are involved in real estate and the SME sector, that two of them, Cardinal Capital and BlueBay, paid €250 in tax each in 2015. Does the Minister not think...

Other Questions: Tax Code (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: One of the central justifications for these extraordinary tax breaks for REITs and vulture funds - the section 110 structure allowing these companies to benefit from it and the REIT tax breaks introduced by various Finance Acts - was encouraging investment in property in Ireland and resuscitating the property sector, presumably to do something basic like provide housing for people. To this...

Other Questions: Tax Yield (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 22. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason for the lower than expected tax returns in view of the rising employment figures over the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31472/17]

Other Questions: Tax Yield (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 60. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason for the lower than expected tax returns in view of the rise of employment over the past number of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31476/17]

Other Questions: Tax Yield (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: There is much speculation on the mystery of why income tax returns are coming in lower than projected. I put it to the Minister that the reason for this is because of the extent of precarious work, low-paid work and, something that has not been mentioned enough in this regard, bogus self-employment, particularly in the construction industry.

Other Questions: Tax Yield (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Nonetheless, €214 million is a significant shortfall, with €51 million of that from income tax. I particularly want to concentrate on the issue of precarious working conditions and, specifically bogus self-employment. There are now approximately 140,000 people working in construction. There is talk about how construction work is gathering momentum. I got another call in a...

Other Questions: Tax Yield (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: There are 220,000 to 230,000 people who are classified as self-employed with no paid employees. I put it to the Minister, as construction workers and others in this House have been putting it to him for a long time, that the reason for that, particularly in construction, is bogus self-employment. One of the workers I mentioned is a labourer. When he telephoned Revenue to ask if he was down...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: We should not separate it.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: 4. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his conversation with the President of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump. [31173/17]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: I asked the Taoiseach's predecessor, Deputy Enda Kenny, a question that gained a lot of publicity at the time. I asked if he thought the election manifesto and policy promises of Donald Trump were racist and dangerous and he agreed that they were. I ask the Taoiseach the same question now that Donald Trump is President. Are the policies he is pursuing racist and dangerous? If the answer...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: Repeat it now.

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (5 Jul 2017)

Richard Boyd Barrett: It is more important.