Results 161-180 of 32,924 for speaker:Paschal Donohoe

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Trade Relations (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: It is clear that the global economy is facing into a period of considerable uncertainty, and recent announcements mark a distinct acceleration toward more inward-looking trade policies. As a highly globalised economy, Ireland is of course exposed to any reversal of the global economic integration which has helped to transform living standards in recent decades. In light of the changes in...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Trade Sanctions (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 71 together. Restrictive measures, or sanctions as they are generally referred, are a tool of the EU's Common Foreign Policy. Ireland implements EU sanctions, and it also implements UN sanctions via EU sanctions. EU sanctions have direct effect in all Member States of the EU, and they are legally binding on all natural and legal persons in Ireland....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Residency (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The tax treatment associated with cross-border working has been subject to ongoing discussions in recent years, particularly given the increase in remote working as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, cross-border working gives rise to complex issues involving shared taxing rights between different jurisdictions. There are potential issues for employees, employers, and Exchequer...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Industry (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government is taking a comprehensive and proactive approach to improving competition in the Irish insurance market, as outlined in the Programme for Government: Securing Ireland’s Future. A key focus is the development of a new Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which follows on from the 2020 Plan that brought significant changes, including reforms to the Duty of Care, enhancements...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: As Minister for Finance, I have policy responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial services regulation, including the insurance sector. In terms of the challenges associated with obtaining flood cover, the provision of such cover is a commercial matter for insurance companies, based on an actuarial assessment of the risks they are willing to accept....

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Data (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I am informed by Revenue that the estimated number of taxpayer units subject to the higher rate of tax is 1,013,500. The estimated number of taxpayer units subject to the standard rate is 2,216,700. Of which, an estimated 1,060,000, or 30% of all taxpayer units, do not pay income tax as their liability is fully covered by their tax credits. An estimated additional 256,600 taxpayer...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Code (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: Budget 2010 announced the introduction of a carbon tax on fossil fuels in Ireland. Carbon taxation of petrol and auto-diesel came into effect in December 2009. It was extended to other liquid fuels and natural gas in 2010, and to solid fuels in 2013. Ireland’s carbon tax regime is a carbon pricing mechanism which directly links the taxation of fossil fuels to carbon dioxide...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Budgets (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The Government published its Annual Progress Report (APR) - formerly the Stability Programme Update - earlier this month. This set out the Department of Finance's updated macroeconomic and fiscal projections for this year and next, in line with (European) legal requirements. In its endorsement process with the Fiscal Council, my Department initially produced a 5-year forecast, covering...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Tax Collection (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I have not had any recent engagements with the European Commission nor the Trump administration about the introduction of an EU-wide digital levy, however, I have recently engaged with both parties on current EU-US trade and related issues. The terms digital levy and digital services tax (DST) can be used interchangeably but I will use the latter for ease in answering this question. DSTs...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Reviews (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The Deputy should note that my Department and I share concerns that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme or DDS is no longer fit-for-purpose and believe it should be replaced with a needs-based, grant-led approach for necessary vehicle adaptations that could serve to improve the functional mobility of the individual. However, this is very much a matter for Government as my...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Banking Sector (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: As a matter of common law, contracts are formed by offer and acceptance. In general terms, a contract is formed between a retailer and a customer when a retailer accepts an offer made by a customer. The terms which apply to such a contract are a matter for the parties to determine and will depend on the circumstances of the case. The Consumer Rights Act 2022, which was sponsored by the...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Insurance Coverage (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware, neither the Minister for Finance nor the Central Bank of Ireland can intervene in insurance pricing or provision under the EU's Solvency II directive. The Government remains fully committed to the continued reform of the insurance sector, ensuring reforms result in lower costs and greater availability of insurance for businesses across Ireland. The previous Action...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Policies (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The Capital Markets Union (CMU) is a flagship project within EU financial services policy which aims to deepen and further integrate Europe’s capital markets, support growth and enhance the resilience of the financial system. The CMU, alongside the Banking Union, forms part of the Savings and Investments Union (SIU). Ireland is a strong supporter of the CMU/SIU project. For...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Departmental Schemes (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: The Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2025 provides for a new Local Property Tax (LPT) valuation period which will commence in 2026 and will last for five years. The Bill sets out a new method of calculating Local Property Tax (LPT) liabilities on the basis of fairness. It also provides for a number of technical amendments to LPT legislation and minor, time-sensitive amendments to...

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Trade Agreements (29 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: As the Deputy is aware, trade policy matters are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Furthermore, trade with countries outside of the European Union is a responsibility devolved to the EU level, meaning that the European Commission negotiates international trade agreements collectively for all Member States. Within the Commission, it is Commissioner...

Seanad: Ireland's Economic Outlook: Statements (28 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to speak in the Seanad this afternoon on the economic outlook for our country. As a former Member of this House, it is always an honour to be here. Before I discuss the Irish economic outlook, it is important to underline the global environment we are in. As all Senators will be aware, uncertainty is now the dominant feature of the world...

Seanad: Ireland's Economic Outlook: Statements (28 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: No.

Seanad: Ireland's Economic Outlook: Statements (28 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I have taken careful note of all the points Senators made. I will deal with each of them in turn and offer a few thoughts in response. Senator Joe O'Reilly made the important point that anything achieved by this Government or previous Governments, let alone the Oireachtas, is nearly entirely due to the buy-in of the Irish people. I go a stage further and say it is nearly entirely due to...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Revised)
Vote 8 - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Revised)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revised)
Vote 10 - Tax Appeals Commission (Revised) (28 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank the Cathaoirleach for the opportunity to appear before the committee today to discuss the 2025 Revised Estimates. As Minister for Finance, I will be discussing the four Votes within the finance group of Votes. These are: Vote 7 - Department of Finance; Vote 8 - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General; Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners; and Vote 10 - the Tax Appeals...

Select Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and Taoiseach: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 7 - Office of the Minister for Finance (Revised)
Vote 8 - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Revised)
Vote 9 - Office of the Revenue Commissioners (Revised)
Vote 10 - Tax Appeals Commission (Revised) (28 May 2025)

Paschal Donohoe: I thank Deputy Nash. I will deal with each of his questions in turn. In respect of the current status of the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal, particularly in the context of the scheme it oversees and for which my Department has responsibility, as the committee will be aware, all of the board members who were in place resigned in November 2021. Subsequently, five new members were...