Results 17,501-17,520 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Tax Collection. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they fully recognise the tax compliance risks that arise in the construction industry and have carried out an extensive programme of checks, audits and investigations in the construction industry in 2005. The Revenue Commissioners have reorganised along regional lines with each revenue region...
- Tax Collection. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners have been very successful in inculcating a compliance in this country, as tax collection has improved greatly and tax liability is being met responsibly by those who should bear it. The investigations undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners have also been very successful, but if they require further resources then they can put that case to me. The risk based approach...
- Tax Collection. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I do not accept that such practice is prevalent. The Revenue Commissioners have responsibility for administering and operating all taxes in the construction or any other industry and ensuring that all operators within that sector comply with their taxation obligations. They recently advanced a number of key developments that are having a significant impact on tax compliance, which I outlined...
- Tax Collection. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: No, I have not conducted such an audit. As I said, the Revenue Commissioners are charged under the law to do that. They are doing it and if there is any problems they come to me, either by way of the regular meetings I have with the Chairman or in the preparation of Finance Bills in the form of any proposals they would have for changes or modifications in the law. That is the normal way it...
- Public Finances. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I assume that when the Deputy mentions Irish and European accounting procedures, he is referring to the Exchequer accounts and the general Government accounts, respectively. The published finance accounts show that the Exchequer current account surpluses for the years 1998 to 2004 inclusive were as follows: 1998, â¬2,649 million; 1999, â¬4,367 million; 2000, â¬6,971 million; 2001, â¬4,724...
- Public Finances. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: There needs to be investment in health, education and social welfare and there also needs to be investment in housing, hospitals and roads.
- Public Finances. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: Exactly. We are doing it more successfully than anybody else. The Deputy will have noted unprecedented rises in current spending on health, education and social welfare under this Administration. These rises are greater than any in the history of the State. Increases to pensioners under this Administration are greater than any others the Deputy will remember. The resources being made...
- Public Finances. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: It has been a great success story. If the Deputy goes to his constituency, he will note the number of schools that have been refurbished. The number has been far greater under this Administration than under any other.
- Public Finances. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy's policies, if applied nationallyââ
- Public Finances. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: ââwould lead to an unemployment level of 20%. He knows this well.
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: The tax content on energy products may be made up of two elements, the excise content and the VAT content. Excise does not apply to all energy products although it applies to motor fuels and home heating oils. However, the rate of excise is fixed relative to the volume of fuel sold and therefore there is no increase in yield as the price increases. VAT is fixed as a percentage of price and,...
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I do.
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I live beside the pumps.
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I do.
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: There may be few gains to the Exchequer because additional VAT receipts on energy may be offset by reduced expenditure elsewhere. That is the basic point I make to the Deputy. The unfortunate reality is that higher oil or energy prices can lead to a reduction in economic activity. Therefore, if one gains on one side, one loses on the other. People only have so much disposable income. The...
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: That is a macro-economic fact that is not being challenged by anyone I know of. Reducing excise taxes to help with the current price pressures is not the magic solution that some might think. Excise only applies to motor fuels and home heating oils. It does not apply to natural gas or electricity. Excise rates are subject to an EU framework and the scope for reductions is therefore limited....
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: My reply to the Deputy's supplementary question was in reference to energy taxes and fuel prices. Thankfully, due to the way this economy has been managed and people being able to take advantage of the opportunities that arise here and in the international economy, we have increased buoyancy in the economy. I am glad that is the case. I presume everyone welcomes that fact. Other parts of the...
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: Deputy Boyle obviously knows more than the CSO.
- Tax Yield. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I look forward to answering Deputy Boyle's questions on energy taxes. It will be interesting to see how the three Opposition parties will figure that out in terms of the carbon tax he is calling for. It has not yet been mentioned in the Mullingar accord.
- Tax Code. (5 Oct 2005)
Brian Cowen: I have asked the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners to monitor the application of the current non-resident rules through examination of cases handled in the Revenue large cases division and to provide me with a report once this examination is complete. The Chairman has confirmed to me that this work is under way and that he will report to me as soon as possible. I am informed by the...