Results 14,601-14,620 of 27,945 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I will pick up on the issues raised by Deputy Doherty. We are getting significant feedback from the poultry sector in particular. Nobody can defend any systematic excess payment of the flat-rate addition, but the feedback from individual farmers in the poultry sector and the representative bodies is that if this is introduced on 1 January next year, it will be devastating. That activity is...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: Would that be a statutory instrument?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: The Minister of State outlined in his statement some statistics that underpin his amendment. It is clear that there has been a significant increase in the number of people who availed of the exemption. I believe there has been a greater awareness of it in recent times. There is no doubt it has been used as a tax-planning instrument in many cases. I know that Revenue...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I understand the logic in not having 1 January as the date if the Bill becomes law perhaps in the third week of December but why does it have to go to 1 May? I am not convinced on that. Could it be done by March, for example, to give a number of weeks? Can the Minister of State clarify how long the penalty mitigation arrangements have been in place for? Is he proposing to end them? Is...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: The Minister of State should look to bring the date forward to what is reasonable and practicable, taking the advice of Revenue on board. It was signalled on 11 October that the mitigation arrangements were coming to an end and 1 May is the date stipulated in the Bill. However,.I do not see why it cannot be brought forward somewhat.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: Where settlements have been reached will the breakdown of what has been paid and what remains outstanding be clear from the data published? Is that captured by the amendments?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: It is an issue Deputy Sean Fleming raised with the Minister.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Labour Court Recommendations (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 126. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost in a full year of implementing all the recommendations of the Labour Court dated 3 November 2016 in respect of Garda pay and allowances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34798/16]

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Government Expenditure (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 171. To ask the Minister for Finance the expenditure limit for 2017; the amount of expenditure forecast for 2017; the consequences for Ireland of exceeding the expenditure limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34797/16]

Written Answers — Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation: Local Enterprise Offices (15 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 691. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if there are any sources of funding in her Department or in any agencies under her Department's remit for a company expanding a commercial marina development with associated economic, community and social benefits. [34434/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: It is considerable. The projections are based on certain assumptions. It could turn out better but, equally, it could turn out to be worse. What ongoing work is taking place within the Department to deal with the fallout from Brexit? The Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are taking the lead role in terms of managing Ireland's response and the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 3. To ask the Minister for Finance his department's current assessment of the impact of Brexit on the economy; his views on whether Brexit is already having a significant impact on certain sectors on the economy; if he has further plans not yet announced to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34250/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: The purpose of this question is to get the Minister's assessment of the impact so far of Brexit and the likely impact on the Irish economy going forward. The joint ESRI-Department of Finance working paper on the issue is helpful and interesting. Will the Minister put in context what its findings would mean for the economy? It found, depending on the nature of the post-Brexit trading...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Brexit Issues (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: There seems to be a sense that growth in the economy is slowing. The Department of Finance downgraded the growth forecast for next year, Brexit-related or not. We are hearing concerns from several different sectors, the retail sector in particular. Evidence has shown that the traffic flows north of the Border have increased, for example. Obviously, there is serious concern in the food...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Motor Insurance (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Minister of State for his response and acknowledge that considerable work has been done on this issue in recent months. I also commend him on his commitment to tackling this serious problem. When will Deputies have sight of the recommendations? The Minister of State indicated the senior Minister was provided with an initial set of recommendations at the end of October. When...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Motor Insurance (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I accept the Minister of State does not propose to publish the recommendations now but will he give us a sense of the broad areas they cover? Will legislation be required to deal with some of the issues? Most important, having examined this issue in detail in recent months, does the Minister of State expect the recommendations, if implemented, to make a difference in terms of the premium...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Motor Insurance (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: 1. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the work of the working group in his Department on motor insurance costs; when the recommendations of the working group will be published; the timeline for implementation of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34249/16]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Motor Insurance (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: I again raise the issue of the spiralling cost of motor insurance faced by motorists generally and the business community. Will the Minister of State provide an update on the work of the working group that is examining the issue? When will the recommendations be published? Will there be a timeline for their implementation?

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: It is agreed, yes.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Finance Bill 2016: Committee Stage (Resumed) (10 Nov 2016)

Michael McGrath: SARP is only justifiable if there is demonstrable evidence that it has led to additional investment and employment. That is the key measure of whether SARP is a success but the jury is out. It is a controversial scheme in light of current developments. There must be an evidence-led demonstration that by bringing key decision-makers to Ireland, who are the top executives in many cases, will...