Results 17,861-17,880 of 33,392 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: NAMA Loans Sale (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I reiterate that it is now accepted that politicians should not be involved in inquiries into organisations as vast and significant as NAMA nor should we be involved in their day-to-day operations because of the pressure we could come under. If the Deputy is willing to accept that, he should be willing to accept that the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General is the right body to do...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: NAMA Loans Sale (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: If I did, I would be getting involved in work the Comptroller and Auditor General is doing and undermining any conclusion he may reach on how this matter was dealt with. The Deputy has named individuals and has given his view on them but I have to ensure due process is followed. This is work that is under way in the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and it would be utterly...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: There continue to be a number of other member states who have consistently expressed opposition to the introduction of the digital services tax. Their opposition was reiterated the last time this issue was discussed, which was at the October ECOFIN meeting, and they were very clear in expressing their concern on the matter. This is a change from where we have been over the past year when...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: My most recent figures indicate some 93% of verified affected customers have received offers of redress and compensation. I want to see the matter concluded quickly. The fact that some 93% of customers, that is, our citizens, have been offered redress and compensation is of little solace to me or them, given how long all of this has gone on. It is unacceptable that it happened in the first...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: On Deputy Pearse Doherty's point, I repeat what I said from the start. The Central Bank indicated that if the individual's information is shared with it, it will examine the information. On his request to raise the matter with the Central Bank, I will do so and I am determined to ensure this further breach of trust is dealt with in the most robust way possible. On Deputy Michael...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Government Expenditure (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The recently published annual report on public debt in Ireland outlines that the interest burden of public debt is perhaps best assessed by examining the interest-to-revenue ratio, which demonstrates the percentage of total Government revenue dedicated to interest expenditure. The ratio has been on a downward trend since 2013 but remains high by EU standards. As of 2017, debt interest...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Film Industry Tax Reliefs (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: On the second point, the certification process is new and will take effect and will be implemented once the Finance Bill is passed. It may be a matter on which we can engage in the first half of next year once we see how it is implemented and whether it is making a difference to the issues which are being raised. Last night, the Deputy asked what was my view of the breach of employment...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Film Industry Tax Reliefs (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I stated that I was aware that incidents take place in workplaces that should not take place but that these developments can sometimes occur if a workplace is big enough. Nevertheless, my view is that if issues of this nature are sustained, frequent and specific to a project that is availing of a credit, it raises issues with me as to how that credit is being used. I hope the changes we are...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 15 together. Appeals form an important part of the overall tracker mortgage examination process as they ensure an independent and transparent consideration of complaints from customers about any aspect of the redress and compensation they have been offered. The Central Bank advises that, as part of the framework for conducting the tracker...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tracker Mortgage Examination (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I do not know how Deputy Doherty can credibly put forward the allegation that I am looking to move beyond this when I have been crystal clear at all points that I believe the behaviour that caused this issue and the way in which it was dealt with recently were unacceptable. I have been very firm and clear in my support of the Central Bank and the work it is doing. Some €580 million...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Revenue Commissioners commenced this review because they wanted to ensure this matter could be dealt with as effectively and efficiently as possible. They wanted to ensure the expenses agreed are still justified, are appropriate to modern employment and work practices, and are in accordance with the requirements of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Arising from the review, there may be...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I will not be in a position to agree to anything that might compromise the independence or operations of the Revenue Commissioners.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Film Industry Tax Reliefs (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 37 together. As the Deputy has said, we have dealt with this matter at length in the context of the Finance Bill. I would like to reiterate briefly the key points I have shared with the Deputy. A significant change I am making this year relates to the potential for inflated claims. I am legislating to change the way companies claim the tax credit...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Film Industry Tax Reliefs (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: We debated this matter in the context of the Finance Bill as recently as last night. The Deputy has acknowledged my intention to put in place legislative changes to try to make progress on this matter, which is of growing concern for many people within the industry. When the Finance Bill is being implemented across the passage of next year, I will be happy to engage with the Deputy on how...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: NAMA Loans Sale (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy is correct that the NAMA legislation lays out the objectives by which NAMA must ensure any transaction meets certain criteria. However, deeming whether the criteria are met is work for NAMA and it then has a relationship with the Comptroller and Auditor General on the oversight of its operations. That is where the key statutory oversight facility is. It is with the Comptroller...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: NAMA Loans Sale (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I do not have the information available to me regarding criminal convictions or prosecutions but I can check to see what has occurred over the last number of years. As I have indicated to the Deputy and as she has recognised, the oversight relationship with NAMA, having regard to the performance of its commercial duties, is anchored in the work of the Comptroller and Auditor General. I have...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: I am advised by Revenue that the effective date for implementation of the changes referred to by the Deputy is being deferred to 1 January 2020. The intention is that Revenue will have completed the comprehensive review of all flat rate expenses by that date. As such, this approach will ensure that changes to the flat rate expenses regime do not impact on any specific group earlier than the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: To date, this has been a matter being implemented by the Revenue Commissioners. On foot of the concern that developed on the matter in the early part of the week, Revenue made the decision on deferral. As to the proofing to which the Deputy referred, it is important that there is broader awareness of what is happening when work like this is under way. I welcome the fact that Revenue will...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: The SBCI’s goal is to increase the availability of appropriately priced, flexible funding to viable Irish SMEs, including agricultural firms. By the end of March 2018, there had been €972 million of SBCI-supported lending, supporting more than 24,000 SMEs and 129,000 jobs. The SMEs that received SBCI finance are from all sectors of the economy with 26% of loans going to the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Agriculture Industry (22 Nov 2018)

Paschal Donohoe: In recognition of the major importance of agriculture to the economy, we have put in place programmes and schemes such as this. As the Deputy will be aware, in budget 2019 I announced the future growth loan scheme to deliver loans of eight to ten years for longer-term investment. This is to cover both primary agricultural producers and food businesses. We expect the fund to be available in...