Results 221-240 of 6,728 for speaker:John Curran

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 123: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of the tax relief for tuition fees scheme in 2004. [33583/05]

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 124: To ask the Minister for Finance the cost to the Exchequer of the tax relief for tuition fees scheme in 2005. [33584/05]

Written Answers — Personal Injuries Assessment Board: Personal Injuries Assessment Board (10 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 149: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the progress being made by the Personal Injuries Assessment Board; and if changes or improvements are planned for the scheme. [33592/05]

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 157: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his plans to allow pensioners to earn extra cash while retaining full pension rights; when this change will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33582/05]

Written Answers — Parking Regulations: Parking Regulations (10 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 164: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is untrue that disabled parking spaces provided by local authorities are free of charge with no time limit applying; when all car parks will have free parking for disabled drivers with a parking permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33591/05]

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: I thank the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment for the opportunity for getting a word in edgeways.

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: I welcome the opportunity to debate this motion on competitiveness in the economy and the Competition Authority. I unfortunately did not hear Deputy Hogan's contribution but did hear those of Deputies Enright, Crawford and Perry who referred to areas where prices have increased. Increasing prices are not a measure of competitiveness and those Deputies only looked at one side of the argument....

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: The motion notes "the continued presence of excessive charging resulting in higher prices and reduced spending power for consumers". I disagree with this incorrect statement. If that is what Deputy Hogan's motion is based on, he is going nowhere. Deputy Hogan and his colleagues spoke for a considerable time on a range of issues that reflected increasing prices.

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Increasing prices is only one side of the equation. Consumers' spending power, as measured by any reasonable economist or international survey, has not diminished but increased. From 1997 to 2005, the increase in costs has been approximately 30% while average earnings have increased by 50%. Often we talk in terms of percentages which do not have a real impact. However, one survey was...

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Ireland is a low tax economy which unfortunately escapes recognition from Members on the other side of the House. When it is referred to, they argue about stealth taxes. To talk about stealth taxes is to misunderstand the situation. We have a choice as to how we raise our taxes. If low income tax rates are available, individuals have more purchasing power which creates and stimulates an...

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: We are a low tax economy.

Reform of the Competition Act 2002: Motion. (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: The percentage of our GDP, the growth that goes on tax, is 30%. It is 40% in other EU member states.

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 106: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the progress made by her Department towards the provision of Department land for social housing. [34111/05]

Written Answers — Food Industry: Food Industry (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 116: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food her views on the work being undertaken under the food institutional research programme. [34112/05]

Written Answers — Private Rented Accommodation: Private Rented Accommodation (15 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 196: To ask the Taoiseach the number of private rental properties and landlords in the areas of south Dublin County Council in the figures available from the Central Statistics Office from the most recent period for which figures are available. [33819/05]

Housing Policy: Statements (Resumed). (16 Nov 2005)

John Curran: I welcome the opportunity to speak on this debate today. The manner in which the debate is structured is broad and far reaching. The housing market in Ireland has changed significantly in recent years. This debate spans many of those changes. The housing market has changed for several reasons. There has been a significant increase in the population. We have smaller families, with more family...

Housing Policy: Statements (Resumed). (16 Nov 2005)

John Curran: I will conclude by acknowledging that my local authority has been particularly proactive in respect of its existing tenants with regard to the installation of central heating, double glazing and insulation. Half of the projects have been completed and the remainder will be carried out over the coming years.

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (16 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 323: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the expected cost of providing a new stadium at Lansdowne Road; the amount of this funding which is to be provided by the Irish Rugby Football Union, the Football Association of Ireland and the State; and if he has satisfied himself that the Football Association of Ireland and the Irish Rugby Football Union have their funding...

Written Answers — Planning Issues: Planning Issues (16 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 429: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the action he is taking to monitor and control the efforts being made to change Weston Aerodrome to Weston Airport with greater volume of planes and larger aircraft using this facility. [34939/05]

Written Answers — Nuclear Plants: Nuclear Plants (16 Nov 2005)

John Curran: Question 430: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the steps he has taken to date in 2005 to have the Sellafield nuclear plant closed, in particular if the case under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea is progressing; and if so, the timeframe for same. [34941/05]