Results 16,321-16,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The protocol to amend certain provisions of the Ireland-Portugal Double Taxation Convention seeks to retain Irish taxing rights on gains from the disposal of certain shares for three years after an individual ceases to be Irish resident and becomes resident in Portugal. When the protocol is ratified by Portugal these taxing rights will be enforceable. Protocols to double taxation agreements,...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 57, 68 and 124 together. The primary mechanism for placing civil servants who are in posts which are due to decentralise but wish to remain in Dublin is by way of bilateral transfer. As staff who have applied to decentralise continue to be transferred into decentralising organisations, the posts they vacate become available to those wishing to remain in...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty prohibits, in general terms, the granting of aid by the state which distorts competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods, in so far as the aid is liable to affect trade between member states. There are a number of components to this provision, all of which must be met before a particular type of support can be classified as a...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 220 together. I understand these questions concern a recommendation in a recent report submitted to the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service by the Information Commissioner related to that committee's function under section 32 of the Freedom of Information Act to review the operation of non-disclosure provisions in other enactments. I will...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The assumptions underpinning the forecasts for capital taxes are based on the economic growth estimates in the stability programme update which is published on budget day. These estimates include GNP growth forecasts, projected changes in consumer prices and developments in the construction sector. The methodology for forecasting receipts from capital taxes in 2006 first required my...

Written Answers — Revenue Commissioners' Audits: Revenue Commissioners' Audits (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that 400 cases were selected for random compliance testing as part of their 2005 programme. This includes not just the auditing of returns filed but also the testing of overall compliance with their payment and return filing obligations. To date, random testing has been completed in 327 of those 400 cases. I am informed that Revenue's approach...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Inflation, as measured by annual changes in the consumer price index, CPI, rose to 3% in January from 2.5% in December. The main cause of this increase was the recent rise in interest rates by the ECB. In addition, the price of oil rose throughout most of last year and this had an input on the annual rate of inflation in January. In my recent budget, my Department forecast that CPI inflation...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that arising from this investigation payments totalling €389 million have been made to date. As the Deputy is aware the Revenue Commissioners are conducting their investigation into the use by taxpayers of life assurance investment products for the purposes of tax evasion in two stages. In the first stage of these inquiries taxpayers who invested...

Written Answers — Public Service Employment: Public Service Employment (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 64, 83 and 86 together. The policy on numbers employed in the public service has succeeded in cutting back on the rapid rise in public service employment in the period 1997 to 2002. From 1997 to 2001 there had been an increase of almost 43,000, or 19%, in the number of public service employees. From the introduction of the policy in December 2002 to the end of...

Written Answers — Duty Free Allowances: Duty Free Allowances (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The duty-free allowances for purchases for personal consumption of goods by persons entering the State from outside the European Union are set down in EU legislation — Council Directive 69/169/EEC. Therefore, the same passenger allowances apply across all EU member states. These thresholds were last increased in March 1994 and are set out in the table below. For alcohol, tobacco and perfume...

Written Answers — Wage Levels: Wage Levels (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I assume that the Deputy is referring to the ESRI commentary published about a month ago dealing with public sector and private sector pay. The commentary drew on research carried out in 2004 which compared public and private wage rates, controlling for other factors that impact on wages, such as age, education and gender. The study concluded that in 2001, public sector employees earned 13%...

Written Answers — Banking Services: Banking Services (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Lack of financial knowledge, particularly in relation to initiating the transaction, and the need to provide suitable identification documents to open an account, are frequently identified as the main obstacles faced by those on lower incomes when attempting to access financial services. Financial institutions are obliged under the Criminal Justice Act 1994 to take reasonable measures to...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The examination of the issues involved in introducing a basic income scheme was undertaken by the steering group on basic income which was established as part of a commitment in Partnership 2000 for inclusion, employment and competitiveness. The group, which was chaired by the Taoiseach's Department, was comprised of representatives of all four pillars of social partnership, as well as...

Written Answers — Taoiseach's Residence: Taoiseach's Residence (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: There are no plans to create a State residence for the Taoiseach. The Deputy's question may have been prompted by recent press speculation on the completion of the refurbishment of part of Farmleigh estate to further enhance the guest facilities there.

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: As Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the legal framework governing financial regulation. In the context of this legislative framework, the Financial Regulator, which was set up in May 2003, has responsibility for consumer protection issues. I am aware that the Financial Regulator has expressed its concerns about payment protection insurance, PPI. The consumer director in the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows: Numbers of income earners on income tax record Year Standard Rate* Higher Rate Number % Number % 2005 641,000 31.6 666,400 32.9 2006** 663,200 32.2 658,100 31.9 *Includes relatively small numbers of income earners entitled to marginal relief. **Assuming the...

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: On 13 January 2006 I formally announced the establishment of the Public Service Benchmarking Body as provided for in the second public service agreement under Sustaining Progress to undertake a fundamental examination of the pay of public service employees vis-À-vis the private sector. Agreement was reached with the public service unions on the terms of reference and membership of the...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I indicated in my reply to Questions Nos. 303 and 304 on 21 February, I wrote to my ministerial colleagues on 20 October last enclosing a copy of my address of the same date to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and requesting them to ensure that their Departments take all necessary steps to implement measures set out in my address. My Department has since issued a circular letter to all...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the issue of approximately 2.2 million individual tax credit certificates to PAYE customers has now been completed. Revenue has advised me that each year priority is given initially to the issue of new certificates to employers so that employees get the benefit of changes to tax credits and reliefs announced in the budget in December in their...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am not indisposed to introducing such a relief but I want to make sure any such relief can work, has a positive cost-benefit ratio, and does not open up the VAT system to other very costly demands. That examination is ongoing and I will consider it for next year's budget.