Results 61-80 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — EU Presidency: EU Presidency (17 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Government's position on the US embargo has been made clear over the years by our voting pattern, and that of our EU partners, in the UN General Assembly, most recently on 4 November 2003. On that date, the General Assembly approved Resolution 58/7 — necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba. The main effect...

Written Answers — EU Funding: EU Funding (17 Jun 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Government attaches great importance to promoting wider public awareness and understanding about the EU, particularly amongst young people, and is aware of the role played by the European Youth Parliament in this regard, in Ireland and in other countries where it is established. Government funding for EU information initiatives undertaken by NGOs in Ireland is provided through the...

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: Shoddy work.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: And a smelter could not be located in Navan.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: The Taoiseach did not use that description.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: He did not say that.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: There is no sign of Deputy Michael D. Higgins today.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: It will be a while before Deputy Higgins sits beside Deputy Rabbitte again.

Decentralisation Programme. (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am glad to be back.

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: Like all public servants, non-nursing staff in the Southern Health Board have the potential to benefit on retirement from some of the recent changes with regard to public service pensions. Any new rates which might apply would depend on the circumstances of the individual. The information set out as follows provides information on the changes announced in September 2004, to which I assume the...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a claim for repayment was made by the company on 6 August 2004. The Revenue Commissioners requested clarification of the claim and amounts involved from the company's accountants. Final details to enable the claim to be dealt with were received on 23 September and I understand that amended assessments for the years concerned and repayments will...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to excise duty on diesel. Diesel is liable to mineral oil tax, MOT, at a rate of €368.05 per 1,000 litres when used for combustion in the engine of a motor vehicle and at a rate of €31.74 per 1,000 litres in other cases. For MOT purposes, under section 94(1) of the Finance Act 1999 the term "motor vehicle" excludes agricultural tractors, road rollers,...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: My Department's website is updated on an ongoing basis. The Department endeavours to have the information on its website as accurate and up to date as possible. All press releases issued from the Department are posted to the website on the date of release.

Written Answers — Freedom of Information: Freedom of Information (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: The provisions of the Freedom of Information Act have been extended gradually over the years. The number of bodies, organisations and groups to which the Act applies has increased from 67 when the Act came into operation in April 1998 to almost 400 today. Proposals for further extensions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 are being developed at official level at present. The question of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: All owner-occupiers are generally exempt from stamp duty on new houses where the property is 125 square metres or less. First time buyers are also exempt from stamp duty on second hand houses up to the value of €190,500 and benefit, thereafter, from reduced rates on second hand properties up to €381,000 when compared to other purchasers. The stamp duty code does not provide exemptions...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: Capital gains tax, CGT, is a tax on a capital gain arising on the disposal of assets. A 20% rate of CGT now applies on the gains arising on the disposal of assets, including land which is the subject of a compulsory purchase order, CPO. It was announced in the 2003 budget that no rollover relief would be allowed for any purpose on gains arising from disposals on or after 4 December 2002. This...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: Details of the changes published in September 2004 are as follows: The cost-neutral early retirement facility will allow public servants to retire early with actuarially reduced superannuation benefits. Workers whose current minimum pension age is 60 will be able to avail of the facility from age 50 upwards, while those whose minimum pension age is 65 will be eligible from age 55 upwards....

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (5 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: It is assumed that what the Deputy requires is the number of all income earners in each category on the tax record. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the information requested by the Deputy is as follows: Distribution of income earners by tax rate, 1998-99, 2003 and 2004 Tax Year Exempt Marginal relief Standard rate Higher rate Total 1998/1999 397,900 73,700...

Seanad: Public Transport. (7 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: I thank Senator Morrissey for raising this matter and I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House. In the context of budget 1999, an exemption from taxation as a benefit-in-kind was provided for certain commuter travel passes given to employees by employers. This allowed employers to incur the expense of providing an employee with a monthly or annual bus or rail pass without the...

Seanad: Schools Building Programme. (7 Oct 2004)

Brian Cowen: I am replying on behalf of the Minister for Education and Science who apologises for her inability to attend personally. I thank the Senator for affording me the opportunity of addressing the House regarding the accommodation needs of Glór na Mara national school in Tramore, County Waterford, on behalf of the Department of Education and Science. Glór na Mara national school emerged from the...