Results 16,821-16,840 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have received no such representations. Furthermore, Ireland cannot be regarded as a tax haven. We have a comprehensive taxation system covering income, capital and indirect taxes. In addition, Ireland has 44 tax treaties in place, a system of full exchange of information and proper regulation of activities to the highest standards. Finally, I again emphasise that companies locate here for a...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Many of the jobs to which the Deputy refers are not minimum wage jobs but are excellent, well paid jobs. They are being sought by many other countries throughout the world but we have successfully brought them here. Many of them are from expanding Irish companies that are making a bigger impact than ever before in many competitive markets. I agreed with the points made by the chairman of the...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The idea that we do not have an economic strategy is nonsense. This does not happen by accident. It occurs because we make the right choices. It is true that the Deputy's former leader made an application for a 12.5% corporation tax rate. The work done by Deputy Harney and the former Deputy, Mr. McCreevy, on the application when this Government came into office, as well as the subsequent...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Interrupting me does not change the facts. The Deputy asked a question and she should allow me the courtesy of giving an answer. We are bringing forward a strategy under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Buckley, who is ensuring all the recommendations from Professor O'Driscoll's excellent report are implemented. We are also making serious strategic decisions on the investment in third level...

Tax Code. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I would like to have one.

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The measures I announced on 20 October 2005 on value for money build on existing structures to assist better management of capital projects and programmes and follow the initiative announced by the Government on 11 October on the management of information and communications technology projects and consultancies. I have written to all Ministers asking them to ensure their Departments take...

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: We will not be involved in a situation where we undermine our own position. We will proceed with the private hospitals' initiative because that is Government policy. We will also ensure that as projects seek approval, my Department will be consulted in the normal way. The arrangements in place for capital appraisal guidelines, which apply to all Departments in respect of all projects of a...

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I did not say that in my reply.

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: My initial reply will confirm what I said, namely, that the capital appraisal guidelines apply to all projects across all Departments in the normal way. I also pointed out to the Deputy that while she disagrees with the policy initiative, that does not mean we are going to abandon it.

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: On the Deputy's second point, I do not see it as the Department of Finance's role to do the job of every other Department. It is not good for the Department of Finance to try to micromanage every other Department. The direct stereotypical view of people in politics is that the Department of Finance has been micromanaging for far too long, in fact, and in that sense, that it is holding up...

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is not my proposal. The second point——

Public Expenditure. (13 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: We want to ensure, particularly with information and communications technology, that we are apprised ab initio and throughout the process to ensure we know the scope of a project. In the past we have been prepared to give budgets to line Departments to enable them to proceed with their ICT and technology issues to bring about a more effective service. We were all agreed on this. These issues...

Written Answers — Care of the Elderly: Care of the Elderly (8 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: The position is that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The purchase of a pendant alarm system and its monitoring are subject to the standard rate of 21%. The installation of such a system, where it includes the purchase of such an alarm, is generally subject to the reduced rate of 13.5%. Under the Sixth VAT...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (8 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that there is no general tax pension relieving provisions aimed specifically at employed carers. However, the general tax pension relieving provisions as apply to employees will apply to employed carers. First, an employee who is not in a Revenue approved occupational pension scheme may effect either: (a) a retirement annuity contract; or (b) a...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (8 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Government's decentralisation programme announced in budget 2004 provides for the transfer of 10,300 Civil Service and public sector posts from Dublin to other locations. Almost all Departments are involved, either wholly or partly. A number of semi-State organisations are also involved in the programme. There are a number of cases in which Civil Service unions and staff are seeking confined...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (8 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a refund of all tax deducted for 2005 in the sum of €546.58 was made by the taxpayer's employer on 11 September 2005 and that the taxpayer has paid no further tax since that date.

Written Answers — Annual Leave Entitlements: Annual Leave Entitlements (8 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: Provisions regarding annual leave in the Civil Service are set out in circulars issued by my Department from time to time. The most recent circular was 27/03 issued in 2003, a copy of which I have arranged to be supplied to the Deputy. Minimum legal entitlements regarding annual leave are determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which are reflected as appropriate in Civil...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that it is not possible to provide a precise estimate of the cost sought by the Deputy in regard to the payment of tax free lump sums because the relevant data are not captured in such a way as to make this possible. The only relevant data available relate to the estimated cost of tax forgone to the Exchequer derived at aggregated level from very...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: A special interdepartmental review group reviewed the operation of the disabled drivers scheme. The terms of reference of the group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, both on an administrative and user level, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (7 Dec 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. The Government decided to reform construction procurement to achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and more cost effective delivery of capital works projects. My Department, with the assistance of the Government contracts committee for construction, GCCC, specialist legal drafters and external technical expertise, has...