Results 14,101-14,120 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Questions on Promised Legislation (1 Feb 2017)

Michael McGrath: The decision by An Bord Pleanála on a municipal and hazardous waste incinerator in Ringaskiddy has been deferred now for the third time. In the context of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2016, does the Government intend to address repeated deferrals of decisions? In this case, the Department of Defence has lodged its own objection because an incinerator at the location in...

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

Michael McGrath: That will be this month.

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate this morning. It is my clear understanding that there is agreement in principle among the party and group leaders that there will be a commission of investigation, particularly to investigate Project Eagle. What I am hearing from the Minister this morning, however, is something of a row-back from that. He has said that, in...

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

Michael McGrath: I put it back to the Minister that there is a shift in the Government's position. It is one thing to say that finalising the terms of reference should come after the publication of the report of the Committee of Public Accounts but it is different entirely to say the decision as to whether to proceed with a commission is dependent on the content of the report of the Committee of Public Accounts.

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

Michael McGrath: I believe, having listened to the Minister's language, which he uses very carefully, that is certainly where he is headed. My interpretation is that there is a row-back. Others will give their own interpretation.

Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the National Asset Management Agency: Statements (1 Feb 2017)

Michael McGrath: My time is elapsing quickly so I want to conclude the points that I have wanted to make. I agree that any commission of investigation that is established — we believe there should be one — has to be structured in a manner that will give it the best prospect of success. We do not propose that a commission of investigation should go down every rabbit hole and examine every...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: EU State Aid Rules - Investigation into Preferential Tax Rulings: European Commissioner for Competition (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: Five minutes or thereabouts for each speaker.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: EU State Aid Rules - Investigation into Preferential Tax Rulings: European Commissioner for Competition (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: I welcome the Commissioner and her colleagues and thank her for accepting our invitation. She said this morning and previously - we also heard this from other Commissioners and spokespersons - that the European Commission respected Ireland's sovereign right to determine its own corporation tax system and that she saw this very much as a separate issue in the application of state aid rules,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: EU State Aid Rules - Investigation into Preferential Tax Rulings: European Commissioner for Competition (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: With respect, Ms Vestager did not answer my question about the basis for her conclusion in this particular case that there was selective treatment that amounted to state aid. As the Commissioner has acknowledged, every tax ruling or, as we call them in Ireland, "advance opinion" from the Revenue is based on the particular circumstances of the case. In the case of Apple, one had two...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: EU State Aid Rules - Investigation into Preferential Tax Rulings: European Commissioner for Competition (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: How does the Commission know that dissimilar methodology and characteristics were used by the Irish Revenue in issuing advance opinions to other multinationals that operated in Ireland? Ms Vestager is saying it was particular to Apple but she is not backing that up by giving the evidence that it was unique. How does Ms Vestager know it was unique?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: EU State Aid Rules - Investigation into Preferential Tax Rulings: European Commissioner for Competition (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: It is a different interpretation from the one we have. One element many people found strange, if not bizarre, in the Commissioner’s finding was that she put an overall - mouth-watering - figure of €13 billion plus interest owed to the Irish State in back taxes. Equally, she dangled the carrot to a whole host of other countries in Europe by saying if they believed they should...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: EU State Aid Rules - Investigation into Preferential Tax Rulings: European Commissioner for Competition (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: Is the Commissioner repeating today that some of the tax the Commission believes is owed may not be necessarily owed to Ireland but to other member states if they calculate, based on their own tax systems, the taxes owed to them?

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Meetings (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: 128. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of discussions with the Brazilian authorities regarding their decision to designate Ireland as a tax haven; his views on whether the decision will be reversed; if further meetings with the Brazilian authorities are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/17]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: National Treasury Management Agency Data (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: 130. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of employees of the National Treasury Management Agency and the National Asset Management Agency who were in remuneration categories (details supplied) at the end of December 2016. [4151/17]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: NAMA Staff Data (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: 131. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount which was paid out by NAMA in 2016 in respect of redundancy payments; the number of employees who received payments; the terms of the redundancy payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4152/17]

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Special Educational Needs Service Provision (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: 205. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to approve a third ASD class in a primary school (details supplied) in County Cork; the position in relation to accommodation for this planned new class; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4215/17]

Written Answers — Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht: Rural Development Plan (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: 427. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the action plan for rural development involves a commitment to provide grant assistance to persons that wish to refurbish old residential and non-residential buildings in rural communities; if so, the details; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4517/17]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Services for People with Disabilities (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: 529. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will have an assessment of needs done under the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3998/17]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Naval Service Staff (31 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: 783. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has made a decision on the payment of a further allowance to Naval Service personnel serving on the humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean Sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4140/17]

Tracker Mortgages: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (26 Jan 2017)

Michael McGrath: I move amendment No. 1:To delete all words after “Dáil Éireann” and substitute the following:“notes that:— the wrongful denial of mortgage holders of their right to revert to a tracker rate following a period on a fixed interest rate, or the failure to restore mortgage holders to the correct tracker mortgage rate they were entitled to, has affected...