Results 16,161-16,180 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: No, we will be doing so soon.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Can the Senator repeat that?

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: We have transitional arrangements for existing schemes.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed that there is a detail in the two studies that will give the Senator an indication of continuing activity in the pipeline projects.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: There are other schemes that will not proceed even though planning applications were put in before 31 December 2004. When an end date was suggested, many people came forward with projects that were in their back pocket for the day when they might be required. However, the hotel industry is an example where we no longer have under-capacity. Many in the construction industry who might have been...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have stated that they are set out in order of priority. If one considers the spirit of what we are trying to achieve and my predecessor's introduction of the tax credits system, which gives the same value to every taxpayer regardless of remuneration, one sees that it is much fairer, since those at the lower end of the scale gain proportionately more from the tax credits system than from the...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I wish to make a further point. It was not a case of either-or. We more than doubled the tax band to improve the lot of people within the tax net as well as making the decision to exempt those on the minimum wage outside the tax net. We did not just decide to improve the lot of one section of the community to the exclusion of others. We did, however, crystallise the particular commitment I...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I hope we can proceed with its implementation. We cannot have it every way. People may say we are not spending enough money in certain areas but fiscal policy involves a taxation policy and an expenditure policy and we are committed to a balanced overall budgetary position. Such a position gives us sufficient room for manoeuvre, as we had in 2001 and 2002. People had been saying that we...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is good and increasing. I gave them on Committee Stage in the Dáil but cannot give them today as I do not have the exact figures. If I recall, it was a couple of hundred thousand people. The details can be forwarded to the Senator. Again this year, I have increased the relief.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: My understanding is that it is back-registered. Under the legislation, an individual making such a claim will be required to provide confirmation of his or her registration with the tenancies board.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: It will be the obligation of the taxpayer to register with the Private Residential Tenancies Board, which will confirm the registration in writing. That is then be produced to the Revenue Commissioners.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The effect of Senator John Paul Phelan's proposal would be to broaden the focus of the one-parent family tax credit to apply not only to lone parents but also to cohabiting couples with dependent children where there is only one earner. The Senator wants the tax code to recognise the circumstances of couples in cohabiting arrangements. The purpose, however, of the one-parent family tax credit...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The recommendation relates to section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 which provides tax relief for certain un-reimbursed medical expenses. The relief is granted in respect of qualifying expenses which exceed €125 in a year incurred by one qualifying individual and in respect of such expenses in excess of €250 in a year incurred by more than one qualifying individual. The effect...

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I want to have answers for the Senator on the issues she raises.

Seanad: Finance Bill 2006 [Certified Money Bill]: Committee and Remaining Stages. (29 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I apologise.

Written Answers — Driving Tests: Driving Tests (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Most services provided by Government Departments and other public service agencies are best provided directly by the staff of the Departments and agencies. There is, however, a variety of situations where work can be carried out or services delivered more effectively or efficiently by contracting out of work. There are various instances across the public service where work is contracted out...

Written Answers — Garda Equipment: Garda Equipment (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: An inter-agency procurement group, chaired by my Department, was established in late 2004 and began working in 2005 to determine an approach for digital radio services for the entire Irish public service, with particular emphasis on the emergency and security services. The group decided to procure digital radio services provision rather than a system based on any particular technology. It...

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 217 together. The Commissioners of Public Works are considering the development potential of the property. A planning application is under preparation. The Commissioners of Public Works will consider all options for the property once the planning application has been determined.

Written Answers — Architectural Heritage: Architectural Heritage (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together. An archaeological inspection carried out in 2003 at the portal tomb at Knockmary Hill, Phoenix Park, reported no evidence of damage at this monument since the capstone was repaired in 1973. In any event the site is not at risk from traffic. An archaeological excavation is normally only undertaken in conjunction with conservation work or...

Written Answers — Traffic Regulations: Traffic Regulations (28 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together. A comprehensive traffic management study by independent consultants has been commissioned by the Office of Public Works for the making of traffic initiatives in the Phoenix Park. The issue of the reopening of White's Gate will be given consideration in this context.