Results 18,961-18,980 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government's position is clear. We will discharge our responsibilities and it is up to others to discharge theirs.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: No such legislation is promised.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Revised heads of the Bill are being prepared and the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources has announced a review of the industry.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The first Bill to which the Deputy referred should come before the House this year. The second matter to which he referred is under discussion by the Cabinet.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand the fines Bill will come before the House this year and whether the matters to which the Deputy has referred will be incorporated in the Bill is a matter for debate on Second Stage.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of any such Bill.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is expected to be debated this session.

Order of Business. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be during this session.

Personal Explanation by Minister. (3 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: In reply to a parliamentary question on Tuesday of this week from Deputy Burton, I indicated that no further communication had been received from the European Commission since last April in regard to the position of staggering tax relief under EU state aid rules. I wish to correct the Dáil record in that respect that it has since been brought to my attention that the Commission issued a...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Generally speaking, the tax system treats cohabiting couples as separate and unconnected individuals. Each partner is a separate entity for tax purposes, and credits, bands and reliefs cannot be transferred from one partner to the other. The working group examining the treatment of married, cohabiting and one-parent families under the tax and social welfare codes, which reported in August...

Written Answers — Property Valuations: Property Valuations (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: There is already provision under section 67 of the Valuation Act 2001, with regard to legislation predating the 2001 Act where rateable valuations are required, for the commissioner to cause a valuation to be made and a certificate to issue so as to satisfy the provisions of this precedent legislation. Section 67 relates to properties that fall within Schedule 4 — domestic properties....

Written Answers — Dormant Accounts Fund: Dormant Accounts Fund (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The intended purpose of the Dormant Financial Assets Bill was to extend the dormant accounts treatment of assets, other than life assurance and bank accounts, which have been dealt with in recent legislation. However, a secondary legislation approach can be adopted for some items and those requiring primary legislation can now be accommodated in the Financial Services (Consolidation) Bill....

Written Answers — Vehicle Imports: Vehicle Imports (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The data available, as supplied by the Revenue Commissioners, is set out in the table below. This data is collected with reference to vehicle registration tax, VRT, classifications and does not distinguish between all types of vehicles as both goods vehicles and tractors are category C vehicles. Accurate data with regard to the country of origin of imported used vehicles is not available.

Written Answers — Remit of the Ombudsman: Remit of the Ombudsman (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Having regard to the current orientation of the Ombudsman's remit to governmental and public sector bodies and my intention to publish legislation which will develop the institution further along existing lines, I do not think it appropriate to extend its remit to the two non-governmental bodies the Deputy has mentioned.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Department of Agriculture and Food that in Ireland the entire sugar quota is allocated to Irish Sugar Limited, the only sugar manufacturer in this country. The company in turn places contracts with farmers to grow sugar beet sufficient to manufacture the sugar quota. There is no specific quota for sugar beet. Therefore, any taxation issues regarding the sale of such quota...

Written Answers — Departmental Submissions: Departmental Submissions (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I can confirm that this particular submission was received in my Department and is receiving due consideration. In this regard, it would be inappropriate of me at this stage to outline any future steps I may or may not take with regard to the submission.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Noel Dempsey has primary responsibility for matters relating to An Post. The An Post superannuation scheme is a matter for An Post, in the first instance. The approval of the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and the agreement of the Minister for Finance are required for any changes to...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: For the purpose of gift and inheritance tax, the relationship between the person who provided the gift or inheritance, that is, the disponer, and the person who received the gift or inheritance, that is, the beneficiary, determines the maximum tax-free threshold, known as the "group threshold". There are three group thresholds based on the relationship of the beneficiary to the disponer and...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The question of the provision of parking spaces for disabled drivers at hospitals is matter for the Minister for Health and Children. With regard to claims for tax relief against the cost of parking at hospitals, there is currently no provision in tax law which would allow relief from income tax in respect of parking expenses incurred by persons with or without a disability. There are no...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The tax incentive for investment in third level education buildings was introduced in the Finance Act 1997. It was provided in the 2004 Finance Act that only expenditure incurred up to 31 July 2006 would qualify for the relief provided that a ministerial certificate approving the project was issued by 31 December 2004. Three outstanding applications were under examination by my Department in...