Results 14,121-14,140 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Decentralisation Programme. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am going through each detail. The turnover at senior levels is not as great, but the overall numbers at that level are smaller and can be managed over time. The phasing has been arranged so that the locations with the best take-up are moving early. The Department of Finance is currently analysing retirement patterns over its transition phase and has been liaising with Departments and...

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of the report by the Central Bank and welcome its broadly positive assessment of the Irish economy. The best measure of underlying inflation is the EU comparable measure of inflation, known as the harmonised index of consumer prices. Average HICP inflation in Ireland was 2.7% in 2006 and my Department is forecasting HICP inflation averaging 2.6% in 2007. The annual rate of...

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: In ten years we have seen unprecedented economic growth, massive employment and relative price stability. Since we have come into the eurozone, there has been a divergence in inflation, which drifted to 3.2% higher than the average at one stage, but came down to zero in 2005 before going back to 0.5% in 2006. There have been recent interest rate increases which have fed into the inflation...

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is not all talk and no action, obviously, because we have been experiencing growth rates which are two and half times the EU average. I assure the Deputy that the finance ministers in Germany and France would love to have a little more inflation in their economies, so they could have annual growth rates of 5.3% or 5.4%.

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: They would love to have more domestic demand in the economy.

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Wage increases in Ireland have significantly outstripped inflation. Pensions have increased by 85% in the period mentioned by the Deputy, whereas inflation has been 30%. We would have been waiting a long time to get to that level if pensioners got increases of just £1.50 a week, which is what they were getting the last time the Labour Party was in Government. Under the social partnership...

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I do not know who else the Deputy expects to build houses. The capacity of the construction industry has expanded in recent years, thankfully, so it is now able to meet demand by providing up to 80,000 houses per annum. That contrasts with an annual average of between 30,000 and 35,000 houses when Deputy Burton's party was last in office.

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: These are all indications of increased capacity.

Economic Competitiveness. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: Annual house price inflation has decreased to approximately 5% over the last six months.

Credit Card Debt. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: As the Minister for Finance, I am charged with putting in place an appropriate and robust legislative framework for the regulation of the financial services sector, with a particular focus on the consumer. I am satisfied that such a framework has been in place since the Financial Regulator and the Financial Services Ombudsman's Bureau were established. All credit card providers must comply...

Credit Card Debt. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I was referring to the Minister of State, Deputy Parlon, who has an interest in this question as well.

Credit Card Debt. (7 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Deputies opposite are not on my horizon. The Deputy may wish to note that credit card debt represents less than 2% of personal sector credit and less than 1% of overall private sector credit. In addition, credit card data refers to debt outstanding on all credit cards at the end of the month and includes balances that may be paid in full at the payment due date. The increase in the...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 249 and 250 together. I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 98 and 99 of Thursday 1 February on the matter.

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The procurement competition for the provision of national digital radio services to the non-commercial public sector was conducted under EU Procurement Law using a Restricted Procurement Procedure. It was overseen by an InterAgency Group chaired by my Department. The initial contract notice was issued on 4 January 2006. Nine responses were received from which five were shortlisted for...

Written Answers — Garda Stations: Garda Stations (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Commissioners for Public Works expect to finalise the acquisition of a site at Roxborough for Wexford Garda Station before the end of February, 2007. It is expected that a sketch scheme for a new Divisional Headquarters will be ready in early 2007. On approval of the sketch scheme by the Garda Authorities a part 9 planning application will be initiated. Allowing for the completion of the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: In accordance with the requirements of Article 11 of the Constitution, revenues accruing to the State including those seized from drug dealers through the functions of the CAB are paid into the Central Fund, from which the Government draws for expenditure on all necessary public services and investment. There are no proposals to alter these arrangements. With certain exceptions, earmarking...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 258, 265 and 274 together. When a particular stamp duty relief for first-time purchasers was introduced into the tax code in the Finance (No. 2) Act 2000, the relief was also extended to spouses in certain circumstances, who, as a result of a judicial separation or divorce, left the family home to their other spouse and did not have an interest in any other...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 269 together. The Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for the levying of DIRT on certain interest paid or credited on deposits held with banks, building societies and certain other financial institutions including Credit Unions. Subject to certain statutory exceptions, financial institutions are required to deduct the tax from interest paid or...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Government has always said that the Decentralisation Programme is a voluntary one. We are fully cognisant of the fact that it fundamentally impacts on the staff in the organisations affected, on their career choices and their expectations. What is required therefore is both a successful business outcome and an outcome which meets the needs of the staff involved — both those who wish to...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (6 Feb 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the taxpayer in question held two employments in 2006 and that a P60, which should be supplied by her employer, in respect of her current employment is required before any assessment of arrears can be determined. Her local tax District has no record of any approach from her, and in the absence of information from her P60, they can do nothing to...