Results 14,861-14,880 of 36,274 for speaker:Pearse Doherty

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: This is all about clarity. This issue has been dragging on for some time and the industry is entitled to the clarity it is seeking. In reply to a parliamentary question the Minister informed me that an expert report was received by Revenue more than a year ago and that he had looked at options prior to this budget and decided not to do anything legislatively. The industry tells us it is...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I add my support on this issue which we discussed at length on Committee Stage last year. In fairness, Deputy Michael McGrath has brought it up on numerous occasions. There are obviously anomalies. I am the father of four children. My eldest child is now 12 years old, but he wears a size 10 shoe and has done so for quite a while. As has been said, not every person is of average size....

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: We are well aware that this was a temporary measure that has lasted in our tax code for a period of 25 years. Anyone from the industry would be forgiven for thinking that it was always renewed, always in place and permanent. One of the main issues I see is the sudden shock to the industry and the way the industry operates. I was rather impressed to see the size and scale of the sector...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: And then I will get a chance to sum up?

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I have rehearsed on many occasions that I can remember going into the bookies with my father when the betting duty was 20%. It was then reduced to 10%, 5%, 2% and 1%. We have to weigh up if there is a better way to ensure we get the same amount of tax, if not more, without an impact on jobs and especially in rural communities. There is a proposal before us that has merit. There was not...

Finance Bill 2018: Report Stage (Resumed) (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I move amendment No. 20:In page 124, to delete lines 12 to 17. We discussed this issue at length on Committee Stage. It is one I raised for a number of years with the Minister's predecessors. It concerns the need for bookies, those placing bets and the industry as a whole to pay more tax. That there is a need for a larger contribution is accepted across the industry. Currently, the rate...

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: The departure of Mr. Martin O'Neill as manager of the Ireland soccer team has been a major talking point. The past year has not been an easy one for Irish fans. Irish teams are stronger and better when they are all-Ireland teams. We already have all-Ireland teams in sports such as hockey, rugby and boxing. In sports, we can achieve great success when we operate on an all-Ireland basis....

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: Is that all the Minister, Deputy Charles Flanagan, has to say on the matter?

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I refer to the ongoing crisis in child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, across the State. Everyone here knows parents and families who are struggling to access care for their children. We have all heard from staff acting on the front line who find that drastically inadequate staffing levels make it impossible to meet the demand for the care they want to provide. Figures...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I have listened to what the Minister has said. I could go into detail, distilling the figures and examining how much was spent on agencies and how much was pre-committed in 2017. However, the reality is that parents listening to this interaction will not take any comfort from what the Minister has said. I know some of them personally, as I am sure the Minister does, too. They tell me that...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: This individual who is going through the appeals process was able to ensure her mortgage file reached the independent appeals process. The mortgage file cannot be provided unless consent is given by the mortgage holder, yet mortgage holders, that is, the victims of the tracker scandal, do not know that consent is needed and the independent appeals process panels are not asking them for...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: 9. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the victims of the tracker mortgage scandal have established that in the case of at least one bank (details supplied), the independent appeals board examining their appeal was not provided with all records pertaining to their case; if this is common practice across the banks; and if he will make a statement on...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I have been contacted by a victim of the tracker scandal with some extremely alarming information. This family's appeal to the Ulster Bank's independent appeals process turned out to be a complete and utter joke. The only document related to her case that the appeal board received from the bank was a document relating to the compensation that was ordered. Is the Minister aware that this...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I know the Minister and the Central Bank want to move on from this scandal and the banks are talking about returning to normality, restoring bonuses and so on. This case relates to a couple who submitted an appeal in June 2018. There has been correspondence back and forth between them and the BDO Ireland secretariat, which oversees the independent appeals process for Ulster Bank. BDO...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: It has already been decided to end the flat-rate expenses relief system in respect of 75,000 workers in five categories. Those working in shops will be most affected by this decision. Will the Minister confirm to the House whether that decision still stands or is now subject to review? Will he outline whether any reviews have taken place in respect of workers outside the five categories to...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I am asking the Minister to introduce an amendment.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: 7. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the Revenue Commissioners’ decision to end the unvouched disregard allowance for certain workers as of 1 January 2019; and if he will discuss this matter with the Revenue Commissioners and seek to have this decision reversed. [48597/18]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: I welcome the deferral of the terrible attack on the flat rate system but note that in his confirmation to me earlier this week, the Minister said the approach will ensure that any changes that may be made to the flat rate expenses regime will not impact on any specific group earlier than the rest. That is a clear indication that there is more to follow and that all of these changes should...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: The Minister may imply that nothing has changed, but the reality is very different. There is a reason we have this system. It is so that organised groups of workers can avail of their rights. That is why ICTU and Mandate are opposed to this. I commend their activism in that regard. The mechanism is now being taken from individual workers who were previously allocated these deductions as...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mortgage Arrears Proposals (22 Nov 2018)

Pearse Doherty: 2. To ask the Minister for Finance the reason the commitment in A Programme for Partnership Government to amend the code of conduct on mortgage arrears has been broken in view of the widespread existence of vulture funds as owners of credit. [48683/18]