Results 16,261-16,280 of 32,593 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Senator has been good enough to acknowledge the independence of the Revenue Commissioners in the first place. Therefore, I cannot ask them to do something in how they interpret the law. It is all part and parcel of recognising that they are independent and evaluate tax law as they see fit. I have had much contact about this matter and the Senator is aware of its origins. The Revenue...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: We are talking about if there is any space for anything to be done on the matter and there may not be. It refers to the interpretation of the law. I hope to be in a position where I can conclude looking at the matter in the next few days.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Simply that we are not, and that we are earning taxation on economic activity and value created inside our jurisdiction. It depends on what kind of finance Minister one is talking to and from where he or she comes. Finance Ministers from exporting economies tend to understand our point quickly.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: It is fair to say that there is a group of countries with significant concerns about it. For that reason, it is unlikely to be agreed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: There are three factors that I am clear on that have contributed to the issue facing us, the first of which is the general effect of cost inflation. Cost inflation has grown at a quicker pace than was anticipated when the original figures for the project were identified. Second, a number of specialised forms of work need to be done and have, in turn, become even more expensive, for example,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: It was anticipated, but the magnitude of change was even bigger than anticipated. If a rate of cost inflation shifts even a little in a given year, the compound effect of that over four to five years has a significant effect on the project.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I want to address that point. All of the individuals who have been working on this project are competent and professional and have been dedicated to trying to deliver it. There were issues with the project's initial estimate and how the higher cost was shared. As I became aware of this issue in the timings that I indicated to the committee, I met many of the individuals involved. They are...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I do not believe that the figure was lowballed to influence our decision on going ahead with the project. I also do not believe it was lowballed to influence the choice of site. However, it is clear in retrospect that the initial figure was too low versus the cost we have now. When the €650 million figure was identified, which would have been in 2012 or 2013, it was based on...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I am aware of that and understand that the cost of living is a big challenge for those at the beginning of their careers, particularly in Dublin. That is why we have created the Land Development Agency and why we are seeking to make progress in the provision of affordable housing. On the point about higher costs, I do not believe we will approach the figures the Senator mentioned. The...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: There will be tendering processes on an ongoing basis. Much of what we are referring to is the key tendering process which will deliver the hospital building itself. The vast majority of expenditure we have referred to has yet to be spent.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Senator is correct.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: That will be the subject of engagement we have with the European Commission. If a withdrawal treaty is implemented and has a backstop contained in it, we know that if the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU does not allow the movement of goods between Northern Ireland into Ireland, it is very likely that the backstop will be operational. In that case, there will be...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The Senator has identified the reason we have been working so hard to make sure there will not be a border. We want to make sure that those trucks are able to move in a frictionless way. In the context of an orderly Brexit occurring with a backstop in place, that process can be managed, which in my opinion is the best option open to Ireland, the UK and the European Union. In the event that...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Currently, aviation law for EU member states is covered by the single European skies agreement. In the absence of that, there would have to be an agreement in place to cover how access would be managed and the circumstances under which it would happen. One of the key issues, on which I know the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has been engaging, is that a key principle of European...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: That is likely to be the case.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Yes, because if we have an orderly agreement, we will then have a transition period in which all of this can be worked out. In the absence of such an agreement, this would have to be done quicker. A seven-month period is being made available to airlines to allow them to restructure if necessary.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: That is what has been indicated by the European Commission.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: The nature of the legislation is really a matter for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, but I will try to answer the Senator's question. Many of the changes necessary in this area will be made by the European Commission. Any changes we have to make domestically are a matter for the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: Much work has already happened in that area. There are two things happening specifically. The Revenue Commissioners are either organising seminars or are engaging with representative bodies in different sectors of the economy, explaining to those bodies the kinds of requirements necessary to deal with a third country. To be clear, even though the Revenue Commissioners will be able to give...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach (5 Feb 2019)

Paschal Donohoe: I do not agree with that. The other interpretation of the Deputy's comments is that the reason the State was trying to build this hospital quickly was that this particular project had been the subject of much debate and discussion for a long time. One of the benefits of the PwC review that is under way is that it may offer further views and insights on this issue. However, the three...