Results 141-160 of 4,707 for speaker:Neale Richmond

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I think it is incumbent to state that quite a number of us in the Chamber are active members of trade unions and would personally benefit from that financially, and I am one of those. Senator Gavan and I have debated the benefits of trade union membership many times previously. I do not think I was ever found wanting on that, which is why I was quite taken by some of these comments. I...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: We are in a political Chamber but not necessarily in a party-political Chamber.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: That is why I am saying we should remove the emotion in the politics concerning what was a very serious suggestion by Senators Gavan and Warfield. What was referred to was done before. The rationale outlined very clearly by Senator Higgins has merit in the context of the overall rationale for what is being aimed at, but what she desires is not going to be achieved by this measure. That is...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: It is important to come back in on this. There will be wider debates on the directive, and the House had one this morning. Such a debate is important but we are here to speak about the actualities of the Finance Bill and the costs as opposed to wider signals and motives. We are bringing into a debate an emotive aspect that is out of place here. We have had the discussion-----

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: If the language is not acceptable to the Senator, I will correct it. This is a very serious debate but we are bringing in a secondary debate on the specifics of the request for a report and a recommendation that I know is made by the trade union movement every year. I have met the movement’s representatives, read the proposal and have said I would happily benefit personally to the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I will send all three reports to the Senator.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I will speak to the two specific points as I know the Senator has had a good discussion with the Minister, Deputy Chambers, already. On the issue of the introduction of refundable tax credits, they could potentially prove to be very costly and provide relatively little benefit to the majority of individuals, including those working full-time and earning at least the national minimum wage,...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I will briefly mention two things in a potentially less negative response than usual but couched in the fact that, ultimately, we will not be accepting this recommendation. Obviously, those of with young children know that Isofix is often an influence in getting a larger car, unfortunately, for many of us. A weight-based tax was discussed as part of this year’s tax strategy group...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: It should be noted that the Bill provides for an increase to the rate of the vacant home tax from five times to seven times the property's existing base local property tax rate. This is not exactly a move which one would associate with someone who does not like taxing vacancy, but that is exactly what is being done. The residential zoned land tax is a new tax introduced in the Finance Act...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2024: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: The vacant homes tax is only one part of a much broader suite of measures. The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage launched a vacant homes action plan in January 2023 and a progress update was published in April. This document outlines the progress that has been made in addressing vacancy, along with the actions being pursued to return as many vacant and derelict properties...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank Deputy Durkan. On the Chairperson's point, I assure him I will undertake the two latter issues he raised, particularly regarding the issue of the illicit smuggling of cigarettes. I am more than happy to make sure Revenue has, as I said, the adequate resources it requires. I share the Chair's concern in that regard. On the other two issues regarding the legal case and public...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I thank the Deputy. I will make sure a letter is sent from me to the Chair and make sure a copy is furnished to the committee. I will allow the Chair to make sure the copy is circulated to all members of the committee.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I was doing a little bit of mathematics in my head. I appreciate Deputy Durkan raising this issue. The total amount the taxpayer has paid so far is €68.5 million to the end of this year, which will cover the required costs at Rosslare post Brexit.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: All the installations.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: It is important to note that approximately €51 million of the money for Rosslare, most of it, qualified for Brexit adjustment reserve funding through our good friends across the European Union.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am pleased to have the opportunity to appear before the committee today to discuss the 2024 Supplementary Estimates. As Minister of State at the Department of Finance, I will be discussing one of the four Votes within the finance group of Votes, namely, Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners. I look forward to a fruitful and positive exchange. The Office of the Revenue...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: I am limited in what I can say because it is subject to court proceedings.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: The boat has been held for some time in order to allow it be submitted as evidence to those court proceedings and it is hoped that process will conclude in the coming months. It requires quite a bit of maintenance through this period. We hope we will not require it much longer than another month or so.

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach: Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Supplementary) (5 Nov 2024)

Neale Richmond: The €20 million is paid to the people who maintain the boat and are harbouring it in the Port of Cork. This is keeping the scene preserved in order that it can be used in court proceedings.