Results 19,081-19,100 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Expenditure Review Initiative. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are some areas and programmes where there needs to be greater progress. There have been some improvements both in evaluation and in performance indicators and in terms of what is being produced. I have accepted the review committee's recommendations where it has identified room for improvement and I have told Ministers that I expect them to be implemented in the context of the next...

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The European Commission was advised of this relief in 1982 and on a number of occasions since then. The Commission has not given a preliminary ruling on this exemption. The Commission was in correspondence with my Department regarding this exemption most recently in April 2004 when it asked for information which would allow it to "establish whether the exemption may be considered compatible...

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: All I can do is ask the Deputy to listen to the reply when I give it. There is no preliminary finding on the exemption and the Deputy's assertion that there is does not make it happen. The Deputy has also suggested that we have not been in touch with the Commission. We have answered any time it has contacted us about the matter. The Commission was advised of the relief in 1982 and on a number...

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am taken by the obsession of the Labour Party with the stallion.

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: Indecon, which is regarded a reputable team of consultants, independently compiled a report on behalf of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Horse Racing Ireland. Indecon estimates the gross figure foregone is €3 million, although I do not say I agree. I will find out about the Cinderella clause, about which the Deputy is worried, and whether a stallion must be out of the...

Tax Code. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I did not know they had to be accompanied by a stallion.

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. I am taking it that the questions both relate to overpayments by PAYE taxpayers. The PAYE system, which has worked well for almost 45 years, is a "cumulative" deduction system designed to ensure, as far as possible, that an end of year return or adjustment is unnecessary in the vast majority of cases, provided that all due credits and...

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The PAYE system has worked. I have given a detailed reply explaining how it works and that it is a cumulative deductive system. The equity of the position is safeguarded by the fact that claims are speedily dealt with. It is impossible to devise a system where there is an exact balance for every taxpayer, of whom there are 1.6 million, depending on their circumstances, for example subsequent...

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: On the last point, based on the fact that different rates apply in different local authorities, I do not see how the Revenue Commissioners can centralise the figures at source.

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The question——

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: One would have to take advice from the Revenue Commissioners on how they could be proactive on this matter.

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I do not have one. Does Deputy Burton have one?

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I find I do not need one.

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I do it all on my own.

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: They are my two PR advisers up at the back.

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have forgotten all the questions.

Tax Collection. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: These are matters to be taken up with the Revenue Commissioners. People have to be informed of their entitlements. I understand that when the Revenue Commissioners make contact with taxpayers they give out information with the forms to let people know what they are entitled to claim and so on. At the end of the day the Revenue Commissioners are there to collect revenue based on the...

Flood Relief. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Office of Public Works is currently completing the phase 2 works on the River Tolka which were commenced in 2004 following public exhibition by Dublin City Council under part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001. The OPW and the city council are currently in discussions on a programme of works for 2005. The priority for the OPW since the works commenced in early 2003 has...

Flood Relief. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understood Deputy Gregory's political sensitivity was constituency-wide. I will ensure the contributions raised during this exchange are brought to the attention of the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, and Dublin City Council.

Flood Relief. (1 Feb 2005)

Brian Cowen: I hope these matters will be taken into account at the meeting that will take place shortly to discuss what works will be carried out by the Office of Public Works in respect of these potential flooding problems. I hope it will become clearer as to what will be done in the course of the year. I will bring the issues raised by Deputy Gregory to the attention of both parties.