Results 14,081-14,100 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——and used the same rhetoric they are using in this House and elsewhere to talk about building some of these houses and facilitating local authorities to build houses on the basis that the resources are now available, that would be a far more positive contribution towards dealing with housing problems of many people than is the case currently. I had to listen in the other House to people...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are problems. Can the Senator show me a country that does not have problems?

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Our problems have arisen from the success of our economic model.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: In the past we had problems because of failure and mediocrity and policies that did not work. We have full employment when other generations did not. Is that a sufficient vision? Young people can get a job in Ireland, commensurate to their skills and abilities. Is that a worthwhile vision? Through the social inclusion programme, totalling €50 billion, we will mainstream people with...

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I was simply responding to the debate. I understood that was the point of my coming here.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Members complain when Ministers come to the House and do not answer their questions. When I try to do so, however, I am told to shut up. Members cannot hack it.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Now the Members want me to sit down.

Seanad: National Development Plan: Motion (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I apologise if I have exceeded the time allocated. I will conclude by saying that this plan addresses Ireland's current development needs directly. It sets out a roadmap for the next phase of the country's transformation and will deliver a better quality of life for all. Its implementation will help to secure our prosperity and make Ireland a better country, with stronger communities...

Credit Card Debt. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Current levels of credit debt could become a cause of concern if they continue. However, I do not believe the current levels of indebtedness represent a substantial risk to the economy. It is to be expected that consumers seek to make use of the continuing levels of interest rates, which are historically low. Nevertheless, I fully support the vigilance of the Central Bank and the Financial...

Credit Card Debt. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Money Advice and Budgeting Service was established to help people manage their money with a view to regaining control of their finances, including how to avoid falling into difficulty as a result of debt. MABS provides an extensive range of money advice, personal budget and community education services where necessary and liaises with financial institutions on behalf of clients. There...

Public Service Contracts. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Under the Department's February 2005 guidelines for the appraisal and management of capital expenditure, a full cost-benefit analysis or CBA is required to be carried out by public sector agencies as part of the detailed appraisal for all major projects over €30 million in value. It is the responsibility of the project sponsoring agency to carry out the cost-benefit analysis. The...

Public Service Contracts. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: With regard to Transport 21 and the national development plan, there is a strong framework in place for the delivery of value for money in the planning and administration of projects. As regards appraisal, a full cost-benefit analysis is required for projects worth over €30 million, with other forms of appraisal required for projects below that level. We are moving to fixed price...

Public Service Contracts. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: During the course of the latter years of the last development plan, a level of expertise and competence has been built up in the implementing agencies and as a result large projects are coming in on time and within budget, even before time in many instances. Everyone now recognises that this learning curve has been achieved and will continue.

Public Service Contracts. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I disagree. The price of these projects included the cost of acquiring the land which was an issue and subsequent negotiations put a much higher figure on the cost than would have been the case in the original appraisal. It is a fact that construction inflation occurred because we did not have the capacity in the economy. Construction inflation in 2000 amounted to 12% and 9% in 2001 but it...

Tax Code. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy may wish to note that a table headed Classification of Tax Reliefs — where Tax Expenditures Go and providing classification of the income tax reliefs costing an estimated €11.6 billion for 2003, the last available year, is included on page B.15 of the Budget 2007 book. This gives a full breakdown of the reliefs in question. I will read out the details if the Deputy wishes.

Tax Code. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The two major reports on tax reliefs undertaken in the context of last year's budget were published along with the Finance Bill. They give a detailed and clear assessment of many of these reliefs. The majority of the moneys are in respect of the following categories. Basic personal credit amounts to more than €5 billion; personal reliefs such as child benefit, €327 million; mortgage...

Tax Code. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is being a little unfair in neglecting to mention the benefits delivered by tax reliefs, as outlined in the Indecon report. It emerged from the report that many of the reliefs could be phased out because the economic objectives for which they had been introduced had been broadly achieved. Considerable benefit accrued from many schemes, including in the area of urban renewal and...

Tax Code. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the presentation by the Irish Taxation Institute, ITI, to the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service on 17 January on the under-claiming of allowances and reliefs by PAYE taxpayers. I understand the ITI, in its presentation, suggested the introduction of a "one claim, one form" approach for securing tax reliefs. This would be a retrograde step...

Tax Code. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: At the Deputy's request, I will reconsider that matter. The Revenue Commissioners' plan for the development of PAYE through their operations policy and evaluation division is managed by an assistant secretary and contains two substantial units which monitor daily performance of the PAYE system. It plans future improvements and provides a wide range of information leaflets and guides aimed...

Tax Code. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Let us be clear about it, the responsibility for claiming credits lies with individual taxpayers. The Revenue Commissioners are making every effort to ensure people are aware of their rights so they can claim them.