Results 14,661-14,680 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I understand Report Stage is ordered in the Seanad.

Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I understand heads have been approved and that the Bill should be brought forward some time next year. Given other legislation pending, it will not be before that.

Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The last question the Deputy mentioned is a matter for the Whips. The other two Bills, the charities Bill and the sale of alcohol Bill, are due next year.

Order of Business (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: No legislation is promised.

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: There are two aspects to this. Obviously, the Minister, the NRA, the traffic authorities concerned and the Garda look at any possible practical short-term measures that are realistic and viable. We all recognise that there is a particular problem but, unfortunately, when problems are highlighted people then suggest that no progress is being made on any front. As Deputy Kenny will be aware,...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Operation Freeflow is being co-ordinated currently and preparations are ongoing. It will come on stream in the usual way. The question of how it can be prolonged beyond the normal Christmas period is an issue for the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Transport to consider. The bus fleet has increased significantly. It is...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: We all take this matter seriously. It is not a question of being blasé about it. We are all aware of the serious problems there were with the accuracy of the register and that has been a feature of the register for a long number of years. This has been exacerbated by population mobility with hundreds of thousands of people changing their addresses every year. For example, 90,000 new...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is true. Deputy Rabbitte asked the question——

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: One could not get on the supplementary register previously when the deadline passed but once 25 November has passed, it will still be possible to get on the register up to 15 days before the next election. It is not the case that if a person has failed to register by 25 November, he or she will be deprived of a vote and we should not send that message to the public. A supplementary register...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: We have responded with the most comprehensive review of the register in years. We must continue to work on this matter beyond 25 November and I am sure the Minister will do whatever work he can in this regard.

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: Many additions and deletions have occurred as a result of extensive field work. In a number of local authorities, there is a strong correlation between that work and the 2006 census, which estimated how many people at or above 18 years of age will be on the register in 2007 and 2008. For example, the figure is 100% in Dún Laoghaire, 101% in County Laois, 99% in north County Tipperary and...

Leaders' Questions (8 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: By reference to where the register was, it does not——

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a repayment of nursing home charges in the case of a deceased patient would form part of the estate of that deceased person, and would be paid out to beneficiaries under the terms of the deceased patient's will or, in accordance with the Succession Act 1965 where the patient died intestate. The capital acquisitions tax code charges to tax any...

Written Answers — Government Expenditure: Government Expenditure (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: To date the Exchequer has received €240,902,257 from the sale of its shares in Aer Lingus. These funds have been lodged to the Exchequer and will be classified in the Finance Accounts as Capital Receipts. Accordingly the funds have not been allocated towards any specific expenditure, but will be used to fund expenditure generally.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that Section 473 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides for an allowance at the standard rate of income tax for individuals who, for a tax year of assessment, prove that they have paid rent in respect of a residential premises that is their main residence. The definition of rent for the purposes of Section 473 is such that it refers only to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: There are special rules for estimating the value of the benefit of company provided cars which are available for the private use of employees. Where annual business mileage is 15,000 miles or less the benefit of the car is calculated at 30% of the original market value with this figure reducing in the context of higher annual business mileage categories. For example, where the business...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deposit Protection Scheme is a system to compensate depositors in the event of the failure of a credit institution. The European Communities (Deposit Guarantee Schemes) Regulations, 1995, which came into effect on 1 July 1995, set out the terms and conditions governing deposit protection in Ireland. Responsibility for funding the Irish deposit protection scheme rests with participating...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together. There is no State savings guarantee for savers with Irish credit institutions generally. There is, however, a deposit protection scheme funded by credit institutions (other than credit unions) which are authorised by the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland. The Deputy should note that a key principle underlining the...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Nov 2006)

Brian Cowen: I received the correspondence dated 17 October 2006 and have already acknowledged its receipt. A substantive reply, along the lines set out below, has also now been issued. The position is that prior to the passing of the Finance Act, 1999, any person going on pension under a defined contribution scheme or a retirement annuity contract was required to purchase an annuity with any...