Results 19,061-19,080 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Since 1 August 2004, there have been three public appointments in my Department. In accordance with the provisions of section 11(1) of the Public Service Management Act 1997, the Government has appointed at my request one special adviser, Mr. Gerry Steadman. I have also appointed a personal secretary and personal assistant. These posts are held on a contract basis by Ms Elaine Hogan and Ms...

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

Brian Cowen: New car registrations of 30,554, as advised by the Revenue Commissioners, for the first 15 working days of 2005 are approximately 24% higher than for the same period in 2004. While these figures are encouraging from a tax revenue point of view, it is too early in the year to say what receipts will turn out to be for the year as a whole, based on just the first three weeks car registration data.

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

Brian Cowen: The Department of Transport receives the State's share of income from the Westlink Toll Bridge as an appropriation-in-aid. The estimated amount for 2005 will be published in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2005 which will be published shortly. In 2004 the Department of Transport received €8.044 million under this heading and total gross spending by that Department in 2004 was €1.96 billion.

Written Answers — Urban Renewal Schemes. : Urban Renewal Schemes. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: My Department is not responsible for spending by other Departments on a geographical or other basis. Plans for the funding of projects, including in Kildare, are a matter for each Department having regard to its particular area of responsibility and the allocation made to it by the Dáil. The amount allocated to my Department's Vote, Vote 6, in the 2005 Abridged Estimates Volume is €102.544...

Written Answers — Economic and Monetary Union. : Economic and Monetary Union. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Economic and Finance Ministers meet monthly at the ECOFIN Council meeting where taxation and economic policy matters are discussed. In advance of those meetings, the Euro area Ministers meet informally at Eurogroup to discuss matters of particular relevance to their economies in the context of Economic and Monetary Union. Useful discussions have been held on direct and indirect taxation...

Written Answers — Economic Competitiveness. : Economic Competitiveness. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Ireland will face significant competition from other economies, some of them low wage economies, for jobs and investment. To ensure that we are best placed to retain existing jobs and to attract new investment Government policies remain focused on restoring and enhancing national competitiveness. The Government is committed to ensuring that prices and wages evolve in a manner that maintains...

Written Answers — Special Savings Incentive Scheme: Special Savings Incentive Scheme (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 165 together. The Special Savings Incentive Accounts scheme opened on 1 May 2001 and entry to it closed on 30 April 2002. The accounts are due to mature between May 2006 and April 2007 at the end of the five year period. A total of 1.17 million accounts were opened during the period outlined. I presume the Deputy's reference to "payout" is to the total...

Decentralisation Programme. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: We will have to agree to disagree. I am not abdicating my political responsibility to see this through; the Government intends doing that. The Deputy made an argument regarding my earlier point. If I made a political decision on tax exemptions for stallions, for example, the administrative decision on implementation would be a matter for the Revenue. That does not mean that I am not accepting...

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I announced in my Budget Statement, my Department and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners will undertake a detailed review of certain tax incentive schemes and tax exemptions in 2005. This review will evaluate their impact and operation, including their economic and social benefits, for the different locations and sectors involved and the wider community. In addition, the review will...

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the existing schemes as they are currently constituted, they will terminate in 2006. That pipped the squeak, so to speak, and we saw what happened in the final months of last year when people finally got the message that there would not be a chance of another 12-month or two-year extension. In respect of existing schemes, the termination dates are fixed. I said we were not...

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Those interested in making submissions may find it useful to examine the discussion documents of the tax strategy group which are available on the Department's website. Future tax strategy group documents will be available on the site also. It will be a matter for us in the first instance to examine the submissions we receive and what the review outlines. Consultants have yet to be appointed....

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy stated that the industry is already responsible for 12% of GNP. That is a high percentage and I am delighted the domestic construction industry is responsible for it.

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: No, it is because there are over 200,000 people working in the industry. These people are all working here whereas when there were downturns in the industry in the past, they were obliged to go elsewhere. I am delighted we have a buoyant construction sector and that we have twice the capital budget, in terms of a percentage of GNP, of any of our European counterparts. The latter would love to...

Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Progress.

Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is the oldest Workers Party trick in the book.

Order of Business. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: On the Hill of Tara.

Expenditure Review Initiative. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The first formal report from the expenditure review central steering committee on progress, under the expenditure review initiative for the period June 2002 to June 2004, was submitted to me on 3 November 2004 and forwarded to the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service on 25 November 2004. This report found that progress had been made by Departments and offices in undertaking...

Expenditure Review Initiative. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is not correct to say that only 20 studies were completed. By the end of September 2004, 93 reviews had been completed. Since then, a further four reviews have been finalised, bringing the total number of completed reviews to 97. That is significantly different from the number the Deputy suggests.

Expenditure Review Initiative. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I expect that a number of reports will be finalised soon and that the expenditure review initiative momentum will increase as a result of the steering committee's report. With regard to those which have not been completed, there are various reasons for that, some of which I might not agree with upon examination. I have accepted the steering committee's recommendations but it is not the only...

Expenditure Review Initiative. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that. I am giving Members the facts as they are outlined in my supplementary information file. I am not trying to mislead the House. It is cavalier to suggest that there is no interest in value for money; there is. One of the successes of this Government has been its ability to work its budget, stay within budget and sometimes exceed budget expectations.