Results 16,781-16,800 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: In the context of the decentralisation programme, one firm of consultants was used in 2005. Fitzpatrick Associates prepared a report entitled Securing Maximum Positive Benefit for Local Communities from the Public Service Decentralisation Programme. The total cost was â¬49,489. In 2004, Deloitte & Touche conducted a financial assessment of decentralisation costs and savings in 2004. The...
- Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to the decentralisation implementation group's June 2005 report. It contains details of the indicative construction completion dates for most of the decentralisation projects. Based on this report, the major part of the programme is due to be completed by end 2009. In line with the decentralisation implementation group's approach, the phasing of the programme will continue...
- Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994 provide for the scheme. Since those regulations there have been no changes to the limits of tax repayable for drivers, family members of disabled passengers, and organisations providing services to disabled. The limits are as set out below: Driver: A maximum repayment of VRT and VAT of â¬9,525; repayment of...
- Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: I am not aware of widespread occurrences of the problem raised by the Deputy. A statutory exemption allowing for the paying out of funds from a deceased person's account, other than a joint account, without probate or prior nomination of the beneficiary is available only to one type of financial services provider. Any such payment is at the discretion of the institutions concerned who must...
- Order of Business. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy is being his usual succinct self.
- Estimates for Public Services 2005. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: I move the following Supplementary Estimates: Vote 6 â Office of the Minister for Finance (Supplementary). That a supplementary sum not exceeding â¬1,000 be granted to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on 31 December 2005 for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Minister for Finance, including the Paymaster-General's office, for certain...
- Government-Church Dialogue. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: Potholes would be a bit much.
- Diplomatic Representations. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: Has the Deputy had any contact with them himself?
- Fiscal Policy. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, there is a broad range of factors that determine the effect of changes in interest rates on individual loan repayments. These include, for example, the outstanding loan amount, whether the lending rate is fixed or variable, the length of time over which the increase takes place, the pass-through of interest rate changes to lending rates, the repayment term and the...
- Fiscal Policy. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: While current levels of credit growth could become a cause for concern were they to continue, I do not believe current levels of indebtedness represent a danger to the economy. In fact, it is to be expected that consumers would seek to make use of historically low interest rate levels. It is also a fact that Ireland has traditionally had low levels of personal debt in comparison to other EU...
- Fiscal Policy. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: The fact that I am reading my replies testifies to the accuracy with which I have anticipated the supplementaries. This is for information and not to allow the Deputy to joust with me regarding interest rates. It is about putting on the record the facts of the situation, and I have quoted from Central Bank reports.
- Fiscal Policy. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: We are only now reaching European levels of debt.
- Fiscal Policy. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: Yes, we are.
- Fiscal Policy. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: I have already done so. Economic prospects for the Irish economy, despite the Deputy's best efforts to suggest otherwise, remain very positive, notwithstanding the increased uncertaintly evident in the international economy.
- Fiscal Policy. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: Perhaps I might answer quickly. There is broad consensus among commentators that the Irish economy is set to continue to perform strongly, expanding close to its growth potential both this year and next. Over the medium term, the economy is expected to grow at almost double the rate forecast for the eurozone overall. The pace at which new housing output adjusts downwards to long-term,...
- Decentralisation Programme. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: I have no plans to change the scale or scope of the decentralisation programme. There have been approximately 10,600 applications for decentralisation so far. New applications are being received every week. For the past 14 months since the closing of the priority application period in September 2004, an average of 100 new applications have been received every month. I have no reason to...
- Decentralisation Programme. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: As I said, the central applications facility has received approximately 10,600 applications. The breakdown between city and country is approximately 50-50. The latest progress report from the decentralisation implementation group, which is charged with advancing this Government initiative, came to us at the end of June 2005. We hope that, by the end of next year or early 2007, up to 1,000...
- Decentralisation Programme. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: Within Departments there will be certain assessments or views as matters stand in regard to issues but the Government has brought forward this initiative. We are committed to it. Previous coalition Governments, in which Fine Gael and Labour were involved, halted the decentralisation programmes and then cancelled them. When we returned to office in 1987 we reactivated them with great success....
- Decentralisation Programme. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: The historical position of those parties has been to oppose decentralisation at all costs.
- Decentralisation Programme. (13 Dec 2005)
Brian Cowen: The record of the Deputy's party in office is to the contrary.