Results 1,901-1,920 of 11,861 for speaker:Brian Hayes

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: -----liability, a significant debt on people who have very substantial means and incomes in this country. I refer to the fact that the OECD has published information that Ireland has the second most progressive tax system in OECD countries, because of the adjustments occurring in recent years. The European Commission has stated that of the six most significant adjustments made by member...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: Senator Cullinane suggests that he wants a wealth tax yet he is against this one where all the evidence shows that those who have very substantial homes and means will pay a hell of a lot more than other people. I find Sinn Féin's argument difficult to understand. It has no difficulty in imposing such measures in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland claims it wants full fiscal...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: -----which is put on the mantelpiece and which puts this subsidy in place. Sinn Féin members do not tell us how they would structure the taxation system when that subsidy would not be paid.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: The issue here is very simple. The 4% interest is simple interest, not compound interest. It is not 4% interest on accumulation but rather it is 4% on what has not been paid. That is fair, in my view. Senator Norris argues that 5% is a hell of a lot but, in my view, 95% is even more.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: If in a circumstance-----

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: It depends to whom one wants to leave it, of course. Some 95% is a substantial asset to be given to someone at some point. I listened to colleagues talking about the aspect of uncertainty and that local authorities can change it from 2015 onwards. I thought we were supposed to be in favour of giving significant fund-raising powers to local authorities which they can justify to their...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: I accept that it is a lot of money in circumstances where people have very little. However, there are still those who can afford to pay it. We are confident that in the context of the deferral system which is being tweaked in the legislation before the House, we are doing our best to assist those of very low means or whose homes are in negative equity. It is worth stating the Bill needs to...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Committee and Remaining Stages (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: These amendments deal with the issue of negative equity and the proposals by Senators Reilly and O'Brien to exempt the properties of those in negative equity. Obviously, we considered this issue, but were guided by the recommendations of the Thornhill report, which was the initial report for which the Government asked before coming to a full decision on this. The report made it clear that...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: I apologise to Senator David Cullinane who claimed I had a vacant look on my face. I defy anyone who has spent seven hours at an ECOFIN meeting at the Justus Lipsius building, like I did yesterday, not to have a vacant look on his or her face the next day. The Senator also claimed the Government lived in a bubble. It is a dangerous move in politics to presume that other colleagues do not...

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: There is provision for that.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: The Oireachtas.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: That was 20 years ago.

Seanad: Finance (Local Property Tax) (Amendment) Bill 2013: Second Stage (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: The Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 was enacted into law, following its signature by the President on 26 December 2012. The Minister for Finance, Deputy Noonan, signed the commencement order bringing the Act, other than sections 19 to 21 inclusive, into operation with effect from 1 January 2013. Sections 19 to 21, inclusive, which relate to the local adjustment factor, will come into...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Office of Public Works Projects (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: The old pavilion was removed on the grounds of public safety as the owner of the building, Dublin County GAA Board, was not in a position to maintain or repair the building. Parts of the building had collapsed and were a danger to the public. There are no plans to replace the building. OPW is satisfied with the repair works undertaken on the concert site. The OPW will continue to secure...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Stations (6 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: No contractual commitment has been made to purchase a site for a new Garda Station at Bailieborough, County Cavan. Acquisition of sites for Garda Stations is a matter for the Office of Public Works in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. The position at Bailieborough, County Cavan will continue to be reviewed in the context of the priority accorded to it by An Garda...

Health Insurance: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: Please-----

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Drainage Schemes (5 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: The channel concerned is a scheduled channel of the Moy Arterial Drainage Scheme. It was maintained in 2004 and 2008 and is included in the maintenance programme of works for 2013. The channel is in a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and the correct environmental protocols must be in place before works are carried out. Maintenance of the channel is normally carried out in the winter...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Departmental Properties (5 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: The Commissioners of Public Works on behalf of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are responsible for management of property under Sections 28,29,30 and 31 of the State Property Act; as a result of companies being dissolved either voluntarily or as a result of being struck off the Companies Register the assets of the company become vested in the Minister for Finance. The...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Legislative Programme (5 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new legislation to protect small building subcontractors that have been denied payments from bigger companies. In this regard, I am working with Senator Feargal Quinn to develop the Senator’s private member’s Construction Contracts Bill into a robust piece of legislation. The Bill has passed Second Stage in the...

Written Answers — Department of Public Expenditure and Reform: Garda Stations Refurbishment (5 Mar 2013)

Brian Hayes: Proceeding with the external maintenance of Keadue Garda Station, Co. Roscommon in 2013 is under active consideration and it is expected that a decision will be made shortly in the matter.