Results 18,141-18,160 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Charges: Departmental Charges (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Finance has started to review existing delegations, including the legal basis for any charges and fees levied by the Department. It is arranging for a similar exercise to be carried out by the agencies under its aegis. I understand that a similar exercise will be carried out by other Departments and offices. The Deputy will appreciate that the exercise is ongoing. No charges...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Revenue Commissioners have informed me that the amount of VAT collected as a result of the monitoring fees charged by service providers for socially monitored alarms cannot be identified in the overall yield of VAT, as the information contained on VAT returns does not require it to be identified. The purchase and monitoring of home security systems is subject to the standard VAT rate of...

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149, 154 and 155 together. I expect that consideration of the extended list of public bodies to be brought under the aegis of freedom of information during 2005 will be finalised in the coming weeks. I do not propose to make a further statement about individual bodies, pending the publication of the details of the extension.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are special rules for estimating the value of the benefit of cars provided by companies for the private use of employees. If one's annual business mileage is 15,000 miles or less, the benefit of one's car is calculated at 30% of the original market value. That figure is reduced in cases of higher annual business mileage. If the annual business mileage is over 30,000 miles, the cash...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: A charge to capital gains tax arises in respect of chargeable gains accruing on the disposal of assets. Such gains are computed in accordance with the provisions of the Capital Gains Tax Acts. The charge extends to individuals, companies and unincorporated bodies of persons. Capital gains tax has no connection with income, which is the basis for income tax. There is no provision in the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together. Under section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, income tax relief at a taxpayer's marginal rate is available for health expenses incurred by a person on his or her behalf, or on behalf of his or her spouse and dependants. Expenses incurred in respect of routine ophthalmic treatment are explicitly excluded from the relief, however....

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a statement of amended liability for 2003 will issue soon to the person in question, showing a nil liability to tax.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 159 and 161 together. The following table provides the information requested about the relevant assets disposed of by the Department of Finance. The assets were disposed of by competitive process and the proceeds were paid into the Exchequer. The Office of Public Works is compiling information about the assets which it disposed of. It will forward the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume that the Deputy is seeking information about the cost to the Exchequer of the exemption of certain earnings of writers, composers and artists by reference to artistic category and the number of artists in each category claiming the exemption. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the relevant available information relates to the overall annual cost to the Exchequer...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: There has been an addition of 500,000 units to housing stock, of which some 60,000 were State-assisted social, voluntary or affordable housing units. The massive expansion has been facilitated by major investment in water and wastewater facilities where there was a historical problem as outlined to us by the EU. Since 1997, we have achieved one of the best economic performances in the world,...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: We have been able to invest massively in public services, reduce debt levels while presiding over major tax reductions. The Government has achieved results and will continue to do so. It is making the necessary modifications and changes that we must all ensure, in terms of respect for taxpayers' money, to get the maximum possible bang for our buck. I do not accept the Opposition motion. I...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I did not commend it. I robustly withdraw my commendation of the Opposition motion.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: They are not huge.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: It was partly done through tax relief.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "commends the Government on: —making available unprecedented levels of investment to urgently tackle infrastructural priorities, including investment of €36.3 billion planned for the period 2005-09; —the steps which they have taken to promote more efficient and effective management of public...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is an accurate reflection and I heard no one proposing the motion making those balanced points.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I did not interrupt any Opposition speakers. Every time a Minister speaks, people have more to say. Opposition Deputies were listened to with respect and they should reciprocate. The establishment of the cost estimation function and the expertise that has come with it are showing results. The committee further acknowledged that contracting procedures had improved since my predecessor...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: No, what had to be done was all those costs had to be included. Otherwise, there is a false argument. It was never the case that the bypass referred to by the Deputy would cost €21 million. When the project was ready for tendering, no price was mentioned. The Deputy's argument has only one logic: the project must be undone and taken back.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The new guidelines provide for a clearer definition of the respective roles and responsibilities of Ministers, the Department of Finance, other Departments and public bodies involved in the management and appraisal of capital programmes and projects. In arriving at policy decisions on either investment programmes or individual projects, Ministers must take all relevant factors into account,...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition does not like hearing about this because it likes talking about public transport.