Results 17,101-17,120 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

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 — Banking Sector Regulation: Banking Sector Regulation (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The central scenario underpinning the Central Bank's Financial Stability Report published on 1 November, is that the outlook for the economy is broadly favourable. In overall terms the report concludes, on the basis of a comprehensive and wide-ranging analysis, that the Irish banking system remains in a good state of health and is reasonably well placed to weather possible adverse changes in...

Written Answers — Fiscal Policy: Fiscal Policy (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Economic growth this year is being sustained primarily by consumption and investment with a weak performance by exports compared to previous years. The composition of economic growth will vary over time and from year to year. As an economy matures, the part played by consumption will tend to increase. The level of export performance in any given year is due to a number of factors both...

Written Answers — Tax Evasion: Tax Evasion (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to the long-standing practice of Ministers for Finance not to comment on what may or may not be contained in upcoming budgets. Any steps of the sort mentioned by the Deputy will be a matter for consideration in the context of the budget and Finance Bill.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As previously advised to the Deputy, capital gains tax, CGT, is a tax on a capital gain arising on the disposal of assets. A 20% rate of CGT applies on the gains arising on the disposal of assets, including land which is the subject of a compulsory purchase order, CPO. It was announced in the 2003 budget that no rollover relief would be allowed for any purpose on gains arising from disposals...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to change the scale or scope of the decentralisation programme. In line with the timeframes set out by the Decentralisation Implementation Group, I expect that up to 1,000 people will have decentralised to 11 locations by end 2006-early 2007. I do not accept the assertion by the Deputy that there has been a very poor response rate to the Government's decentralisation...

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the pay agreement reached in June 2004 under the mid-term review of Sustaining Progress, the parties agreed that the benchmarking body will commence the next benchmarking review in the second half of 2005 and report in the second half of 2007. Talks between the public service employers and unions on the membership of the benchmarking body and its terms of reference have taken place. These...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: A list of PPP projects with an estimated capital value over €20 million, which have reached the stage of appointment of client advisers or later, is prepared for the Informal PPP Advisory Group, which meets bi-monthly, and is available on the public private partnership website www.ppp.gov.ie. This list includes PPP projects being undertaken by the following State authorities: National Roads...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The latest figures from the central applications facility show there is very substantial interest in the programme. During the period for priority applications up to 7 September 2004, approximately 9,000 applications were made. Over 8,000 of these were from civil servants with the balance made up of applications from public servants. Some 4,813 of the applications were from civil and public...

Written Answers — Public Expenditure: Public Expenditure (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am determined that the additional measures will be fully implemented in Departments and implementing agencies and I have also instructed my Department to engage with other Departments in relation to implementing them. I have also written to all Ministers asking them to ensure that their Departments take immediate steps, as appropriate, to implement the initiatives in areas under their...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Commissioners of Public Works have informed me that prior to entering into contracts to purchase or lease any particular property solution, a detailed and comprehensive assessment process is carried out. This assessment process includes valuation reports on each option by professionally qualified valuers in order to establish the prevailing market values; a technical evaluation of all...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: While I am aware from media reports of the claim referred to by the Deputy, I am not aware of the basis of or the assumptions underpinning the claim and I can therefore offer no further comment on it. As the Deputy will be aware from previous statements, duplication of staff in Dublin and the new locations is not planned. The Government has always recognised that, in addition to the personnel...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Under public procurement law, contractors are required to comply with all existing employment-related legislation including the registered employment agreements, employment protection provisions and working conditions, applying under existing laws, regulations and legally binding registered collective agreements. Employment-related legislation is a matter in the first instance for the...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: There is a North-South dimension to the work of a number of areas in my Department. The lead North-South section in my Department is mainly involved in the process of agreeing corporate plans, business plans and annual budgets for North-South bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. In co-operation with sponsor Departments, it is also involved in agreeing guidance for the bodies on...

Written Answers — Revenue Investigations: Revenue Investigations (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that arising from the clerical medical insurance-NIB inquiry, a total of 465 cases have been targeted for investigation. To date, 303 cases have been settled on payment of tax, interest and penalties amounting to €51.83 million. A further 119 cases have been finalised with no additional liability arising while the remaining 43 cases are the subject...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: From the outset, the Government has made it clear that participation in the decentralisation programme is voluntary. As people who have applied to decentralise continue to be transferred into decentralising organisations, the posts they vacate become available to those wishing to remain in Dublin. A number of people have already availed of such opportunities. It is hoped to extend these...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness: Economic Competitiveness (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The CSO's most recent employment figures, taken from the Quarterly National Household Survey, showed that there were 1,929,200 people employed in the second quarter of 2005. This was an annual increase of 93,000 jobs, or 5.1%. The sectors making the greatest contribution to this increase were construction, which was up by 36,400; and financial and other business services, which includes a...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Following the Government's decision to decentralise 85 civil servants to Carrickmacross, the OPW assessed a number of proposals to provide a property solution at this location. A suitable property solution proposal from the local authority has been identified. The proposal envisages a mixed-use development on a site of approximately nine acres owned by Monaghan County Council. The local...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: In the period 2000 to 2004, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners has engaged the company referred to by the Deputy to undertake four assignments. Three involve the engagement of information technology professionals to develop and provide support for critical projects: integrated taxation services, ITS — the primary internal Revenue computer system; Revenue on-line service, ROS — the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, I announced in my Budget Statement that my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners are undertaking a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions in 2005. Two external consultancy firms have been examining the area-based and sectoral property tax incentive schemes. The review also involves the examination by my Department and the...