Results 16,421-16,440 of 21,588 for speaker:Denis Naughten

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: I understand the levy will be imposed on non-pensionable income, including overtime payments and allowances. The 1% levy applies to income that may have been generated prior to 1 January. I ask whether income generated before 1 March but paid after that date will be affected by the pension levy.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: I understand the 1% income levy applies to income also subject to the pension levy. Depending on when the income is taken, there can be an element of double taxation. I ask the Minister to clarify the matter. Section 3 provides for regulations for calculating and collecting the pension levy. Why are semi-State companies such as the ESB, RTE, Bord Gáis and VHI not covered? It causes...

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: It is, therefore, a form of double taxation.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: A double levy then.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: It is my understanding semi-State body defined benefit pensions are guaranteed by the State.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: We had to make provision for pensions when we dealt with previous legislation providing for the sale of semi-State companies. If the State is guaranteeing the moneys, they will fall within the terms of the Bill.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: Where such understandings obtain, should the enterprises not be caught for the pension levy?

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2009: Committee Stage (Resumed) (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: Peculiar or particular?

Asylum Support Services. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: Question 42: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans the Reception and Integration Agency has to review accommodation contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7753/09]

Asylum Support Services. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: Was it not a little late to hold the meeting last Monday? Should it not have met before now to discuss this issue? Is it not the case that there has been an 11% reduction in the costs of accommodation between 2002 and 2008, yet there has been a 200% reduction in the number of new asylum applicants coming into the country? In that period we spent €2.25 billion on the accommodation and...

Asylum Support Services. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: The costs have not been reduced. An extra €15.5 million over the estimate was spent last year on accommodation costs. The Minister of State next to the Minister said on 3 December that part of this was due to the administrative delays. What steps are being taken to reduce the time delays involved in processing these applications? That question relates to the courts and the Department....

Asylum Support Services. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: What about the leave to remain?

Citizenship Applications. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: The Minister might come back to me with the number deemed invalidated at the start of that process. Why has the information on the Department's INIS website not been updated to take account of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 2004? The website, which was launched as a one-stop shop in 2007, is supposed to give people information on how to go about applying for citizenship but it...

Citizenship Applications. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: I put it to the Minister that the basic information of which we speak is like the third secret of Fatima. The reason I came across this information is because an applicant, married to an Irish citizen, who should have been able to apply did not know that they were legally entitled to apply for citizenship based on the Department's website. Is it the case that the vast majority of these...

Legislative Programme. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: Neither does anyone on this side of the House.

Immigration Controls. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: I am amazed at the Minister's comments regarding privatisation in the context of the forthcoming immigration Bill and the significant discretionary powers that are being given to immigration officers at our ports and airports. Will the Minister elaborate on the implications of those powers being given to non-members of An Garda Síochána?

Immigration Controls. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: That is different to privatisation.

Immigration Controls. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: There is no point in letting them come into ports and airports either.

Citizenship Applications. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: I accept the Minister's point that citizenship is a great honour and should be treated in that manner. As I said, however, when we debated the issue of citizenship on Committee Stage of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, there is no reliable information available to the public at the moment. It is like the third secret of Fatima, trying to find out what information is required...

Citizenship Applications. (25 Feb 2009)

Denis Naughten: That is not true. They are not easily accessible.