Results 17,261-17,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The reason I like coming to this House is that I can have a debate.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I can get the exact figures for the Senator, however.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The generality of my argument is correct. The tax take in capital taxes with lower rates is far greater than the tax take as a percentage of total revenue with higher rates.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I would have thought that for those who espouse social justice, it is an argument that would allow them to change their minds.

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: No, it is capital tax. I have indicated that the greater number of assessments accepted as capital gains, and liable for capital gains tax by the Revenue Commissioners, increased by a factor of almost four over an eight-year period from 1995 to 2002. I can forward the details to the Senator but the facts speak for themselves. Our remarkable economic growth has enabled us to invest greater...

Seanad: Tax Code: Motion. (2 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: It depends on how creative they are.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that for confidentiality reasons they are not in a position to comment on the tax affairs of any customer.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: Table 1 sets out the indicative expenditure profiles and the estimated expenditure incurred under each operational programme in the BMW region. Table 2 sets out the indicative expenditure profiles and estimated expenditure by the Exchequer for the same period in the BMW region for each operational programme. The expenditure data presented in the tables relate to the period January 2000 to the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Office of Public Works is well advanced on the selection of a suitable site in Claremorris. The indicative timeframe for the completion of the construction of the new building in Claremorris is in early 2009.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The position is that traders making supplies in the State are obliged to register for VAT where certain turnover thresholds are exceeded or are likely to be exceeded in any continuous period of 12 months. The current VAT registration threshold of €25,500 for suppliers of services, referred to by the Deputy, has been in place since 1994. Businesses with a turnover below this threshold can of...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (27 Oct 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 at administrative and user levels, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to...

Written Answers — Price Inflation: Price Inflation (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I welcome the IMF assessment of the Irish economy's performance and prospects. I am pleased that the IMF has commented favourably on the continuing impressive performance of Ireland's economy, which it states is based on maintaining sound economic policies. Our inflation rate is broadly in line with that in the EU, contrary to what the Deputy says. It is 2.8% compared to 2.5% on the...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: In order to prepare a reply to the Deputy's question, it has been necessary to gather material from sections throughout my Department. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to assemble and check all the material adequately in the time available. I will write to the Deputy with the remainder of the information sought at the earliest opportunity. I am, however, able to give the following...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together. I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the PAYE balancing statements for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004, which issued to the taxpayer on 12 October 2005, show the correct tax credits due to him for each of the past three years. The final reconciliation on each statement also shows how each overpayment or underpayment has...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy in respect of benefits-in-kind arising from the provision of cars and vans in each of the four years up to 2003, the latest year for which the relevant figures are available, is set out in the following table. Benefits-in-kind: tax yield for cars and vans. Year Numbers Estimated tax yield â'¬m ...

Written Answers — Salary Statistics: Salary Statistics (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the latest relevant sector-based information available on employees taxed under the PAYE system and self-employed persons taxed under the self-assessment system is derived from income tax returns filed for the income tax year 2002. It is not possible at present to provide the information...

Written Answers — Salary Statistics: Salary Statistics (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the most recent basic data on incomes available from which information of the type requested by the Deputy could be derived are in respect of the income tax year 2002 and are set out the following tables. For completeness, the numbers of income earners liable for tax at the top rate of 42% are also included. A married couple who has elected or...

Written Answers — Salary Statistics: Salary Statistics (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is provided in the following tables. For completeness the numbers of income earners with gross income in excess of €1 million have also been included. Self-employed income earners have been distributed over the same income ranges as PAYE earners. For...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: By reference to the 2006 pre-budget ready reckoner prepared by the Revenue Commissioners the full-year costs to the Exchequer of reducing the top rate of income tax by one percentage point and two percentage points are estimated to be €205 million and €415 million, respectively. These figures are provisional, subject to revision and estimated to the nearest €5 million. The ready...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (27 Oct 2005)

Brian Cowen: The increases mentioned in the question are assumed to apply in similar measures to single and widowed persons and to include the normal consequential increases in the tax credit for lone parents. These amounts doubled are assumed to apply to married couples. On this basis, and by reference to the 2006 pre-budget ready reckoner prepared by the Revenue Commissioners, the full-year costs to the...