Results 17,141-17,160 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: I have no plans to establish an investigation into the costs of decentralisation. 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 consequently I can offer no further comment on this claim.

Written Answers — Departmental Consultations: Departmental Consultations (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government announced last August that, as part of the preparation of NDP 2007-2013, it would undertake a full consultation process. This consultation process will involve the social partners, regional interests and other concerned interest groups. The consultation process will commence in the near future.

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

Brian Cowen: At end October, Departments indicated a net capital underspend against profile of €514 million. When account is taken of the €237 million spend of capital carryover from 2004 net voted capital spending actually increased year on year by 8.8%. The main areas of underspend as compared with profile at end October were: Department of Transport, €196 million; Department of Health and...

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

Brian Cowen: Section 50 of the Finance Act 2004 provided for the introduction of a limited scheme of relief from excise tax, for biofuels. The purpose of the provision was to allow qualified and conditional relief from excise of biofuel used in approved pilot projects for either the production of biofuel or the testing of the technical viability of biofuel for use as a motor fuel. As the Deputy may be...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that cheques in payment of vehicle registration tax are only accepted from persons authorised under section 136 of the Finance Act 1992, that is, authorised dealers, distributors etc. in the motor trade. Persons not so authorised are required to pay VRT by way of bank draft, money order, cash or laser debit card, subject to a transaction limit of...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 220 together. I have no proposals to apply the Freedom of Information Acts to the Garda Síochána at this time, either on a full or on a partial basis.

Written Answers — Budget Submissions: Budget Submissions (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have received a pre-budget submission from the organisation concerned and the contents will be considered in the context of the forthcoming budget and Finance Bill. As Deputies are aware, it would not be appropriate for me to comment in advance of the budget on possible budget decisions.

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they received tax returns for the years 1988-89 to 2003 from the taxpayer and that assessments were issued for all years in accordance with those returns. A claim has also been received to amend the years 1998-99 to 2000-01 so that the farming income would be apportioned between the taxpayer and his wife in accordance with their ownership of...

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

Brian Cowen: I take it that the Deputy's interest is in contracts of a significant size, say €100,000 or more, awarded by my Department in the relevant period. He will appreciate that in the time available for answering his question, it has not been possible to examine all such contracts for the period 1995 to 2004 to identify which, if any, over-ran financially as a result of jobs being incorrectly...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 227, inclusive, together. My Department is aware of the programme in question. No official of my Department is a member of this programme nor have any officials of my Department attended the conference in question as VIP guests. Consequently, the other questions raised by the Deputy do not arise. Because of its central advisory role and research remit,...

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

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that PAYE balancing statements for the years 2003 and 2004 will issue shortly, together with cheques in settlement for refunds arising. The income tax affairs of the taxpayer are now up-to-date, based on all information available to the Revenue Commissioners at this time.

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

Brian Cowen: In an increasingly integrated global economy, greater competition from low wage economies is inevitable. In these circumstances, we must remain focused on restoring and enhancing national competitiveness in order to maintain employment and to continue to attract inward foreign direct investment. Developments in domestic prices and wages are a key component of competitiveness. Government...

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

Brian Cowen: The role of Government with regard to credit growth and associated indebtedness has a number of distinct dimensions. First of all, it is important to note that, as far as overall economic and financial stability is concerned, the relevant measure of credit encompasses both public and private sector credit and debt levels. The Minister for Finance has a key role in this regard in ensuring...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the National Treasury Management Agency that the national debt at end-September 2005 amounted to €38,844 million.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, 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...

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

Brian Cowen: To date, over 10,500 applications have been received on the central applications facility, CAF. New applications continue to be received each week. Since the closing of the priority application period on7 September 2004, an average of over 20 new applications have been received each week over the past 14 months. The CAF remains open and continues to accept applications. When details of the...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I have outlined before, the director general of the Central Statistics Office has sole responsibility for and is independent in deciding the statistical methodology and professional standards to be used in compiling the consumer price index, CPI. The CPI measures, in index form, monthly changes in the cost of purchasing a representative basket of consumer goods and services. My Department...

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

Brian Cowen: Policy in respect of the promotion or development of biofuels is primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. However, I do acknowledge that tax can play a role in the promotion of biofuels and in this regard, the Deputy is aware that there is the current duty exemption scheme for pilot projects in the biofuels area. The number of...

Written Answers — Financial Services Regulation: Financial Services Regulation (9 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Irish legislation on money laundering is set out in the Criminal Justice Act 1994, as amended. Primary responsibility for legislation in the area of money laundering rests with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Enforcement of the legislation is primarily a matter for the Garda Síochána. In regard to regulation of the financial sector, the role of the Minister for Finance is...

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

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that as the information furnished on tax returns does not generally require the yield from a particular sector or sub-sector of economic activity to be identified, the precise figures of net yield of tax revenues collected in respect of the activities specified in the question cannot be readily identified. Information can, however, be provided as to...