Results 16,441-16,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Decentralisation Programme. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Bruton should know that the people who are playing to the gallery include his own leader, whom the Deputy is trying to set up as a statesman in waiting, who cannot pass a parish pump if one mentions Knock, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs or wherever else.

Decentralisation Programme. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: That is the situation we face as far as Fine Gael are concerned.

Decentralisation Programme. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have even heard Deputy Bruton's colleagues in the backbenches complaining about it.

Decentralisation Programme. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Total failure.

Decentralisation Programme. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Bruton was never in favour of it.

Decentralisation Programme. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy's backbenchers are against him as far as this issue is concerned.

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...

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is not putting a burden on ordinary taxpayers but is ensuring that capital taxes, given that there are low rates of income tax, are making a far better contribution than we expected. Sustained buoyancy in the property market in 2005, which is behind the excess yields in stamp duties, and capital gains taxes defied expectations. The Department of Finance, in common with most other...

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: No. In contrast, the relatively smaller tax headings, which are the subject of the question, that is, capital taxes, stamp duties and customs, represented about 10% of targeted revenues in 2005 and they accounted for 13% of tax revenues collected. The excesses in these tax headings account for 70% of the total excess in tax revenues in 2005, due mainly to the continuing strength of the...

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I know. I am explaining——

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am putting it in context.

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am answering the question.

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am. I have outlined the methodologies——

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy does not want to hear my reply.

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: A total of 10% of revenues were expected to come from the tax headings mentioned by the Deputy but they made up 13% of total revenues. When one considers that total revenues are more than €42 billion, it gives an indication of what forecasting involves.

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Nonsense.

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I did look at them. This is nonsense.

Tax Yield. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry but we are building and selling more houses than expected. Is the Deputy saying it should be done for nothing?

Public Expenditure. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: Estimated end year total gross spending by Departments was approximately €45.1 billion in 2005, an increase of €3.9 billion or 9.5% over 2004. The end year outturn for gross spending by Departments was €225 million less than the original 2005 estimate adjusted to take account of certain Health Service Executive spending. The increase in spending in 2005 over 2004 represented the costs...

Public Expenditure. (28 Feb 2006)

Brian Cowen: If there is any chopping and changing, I have just heard it from the Deputy. On the one hand she accuses me of underspending in one year and, on the other, she tells me I am spending too much in the next year. The bottom line is that last year the total Exchequer spend was €35.467 billion. There was an underspend of €225 million, when all the headings are taken into account, as well as a...