Results 41-60 of 27,432 for speaker:Michael McGrath

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I thank Deputy Doherty for raising this issue again. As the Deputy will be aware, the overall Government response on the problems associated with defective concrete blocks is being led by my colleague, the Minister for housing. His Department is engaging with impacted householders and relevant stakeholders and has put in place a scheme of financial support to help affected homeowners. ...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defective Building Materials (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: There is no reason banks today cannot step in and provide bridging finance to the homeowners concerned. The Ministers, Deputies McConalogue and Darragh O'Brien, and I have discussed this issue again in recent days. As Deputy Doherty knows, the issue with a State guarantee is that it will require legislation and there are potential state-aid issues so I want to find a faster way of getting...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: When it comes to employment, we have made important progress. There are complexities where you have an existing contract of employment in place in the private sector that specifies a retirement age that is mandatory in nature at a certain point in time. However, beyond the existing contracts, it will be possible to make change and I know that is a policy area the Department of Enterprise,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 31 together. At the outset, the Deputies should note that the Government and I are conscious of the implications of fuel costs for all sectors of society. This is reflected, as I said earlier, in the fact that, in 2022, in light of the acute impact rising prices were having on households and business, the Government provided for excise rate...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputies for their comments. Deputy Nash can certainly use the language he has used about it being a Government-imposed planned increase. He should also acknowledge that a Government cut the excise, and what is at play on 1 April and 1 August is a restoration of that reduction. However, I have acknowledged that the situation is volatile. Deputy Doherty raised the case...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: As I said, more than 17,000 taxpayer units have made a claim for this credit so far. In excess of €14 million has been paid out and that number is increasing all the time. It is relatively straightforward to make a claim. I encourage all those who are eligible for this credit to make a claim through the PAYE Anytime system online as quickly as they can. It is a non-refundable...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: The system that has been put in place is straightforward. Many thousands of mortgage holders have been in a position to claim this credit so far. Many more are eligible to do so and I encourage them to make their claim. People have up to four years to make the claim, but I expect the number will continue to grow. The Deputy's fundamental point is the tax credit is not refundable in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: The Deputy has raised the importance of policies designed to support individuals in retirement. As both career paths and the shape of life after retirement change, Government policies need to continue to align with the needs of retirees. Pensions have their own special treatment within the tax system to encourage these preparations. Ireland operates an exempt-exempt-taxed system....

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Tax Code (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. Those are all important issues he raised. Tax policy can play an important role in supporting wider public policy objectives, and when it comes to vacant bedrooms, for example, and the spare capacity that is there, we have the rent-a-room relief scheme and there is already a generous CGT relief for a principal private residence. Nevertheless, again, if the Deputy has...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Sanctions (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. At the outset, it has to be clarified that restrictive measures, or sanctions as they are generally referred to, are first and foremost, a policy intervention utilised by the EU in regard to Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP. As such, they are predominantly discussed at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is represented at the Foreign...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Sanctions (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: As I said in my initial reply, the issue of sanctions is predominantly discussed and dealt with at the EU Foreign Affairs Council. As I said, when the issue of sanctions is discussed at ECOFIN, it is within the context of the economic impact of the European Union. The political decision to impose sanctions for the reasons the Deputy has outlined is not one that would be led by ECOFIN. As...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: International Sanctions (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. Regarding the Private Members' legislation to which the Deputy referred, it is appropriate that there would be pre-legislative scrutiny by the committee. I understand that has now been concluded. I look forward to the report being completed and furnished. It will be given early consideration. I note the Deputy's welcome of the decision of the NTMA regarding the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mortgage Interest Rates (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I thank the Deputy. As he knows, mortgage interest tax relief, in the form of a mortgage interest tax credit, is a one-year temporary relief available to homeowners with an outstanding mortgage balance on their principal private residence of between €80,000 and €500,000 on 31 December 2022. It is available at the standard rate of income tax and is based on the increase in the...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: I am sure that what those owners do not want to hear is the over and back between the Deputy and me. They do deserve honesty in both directions. They should know what the Sinn Féin policy was, namely that there would be an 8 cent increase in the price of petrol in the month of April and 6 cent increase in the price of diesel. They deserve to know that, despite what the Deputy might be...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: Deputy, you know----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: You have the privilege of being in opposition and going around telling everyone everything that they want to hear.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: You can tell them all everything they want to hear.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: You never remind yourself inside this House----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: You have----

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Fuel Prices (10 Apr 2024)

Michael McGrath: You have the luxury----