Written Answers. - Departmental Appointments.
Nora Owen
Question:
176
Mrs. Owen
asked the
Minister for Finance
the number of committees, expert groups, outside agencies and study groups he has set up since July 1997; the topic each group is examining; the number of members in each group; when each group is due to report; and the costs, if any, associated with each group.
[10691/98]
I have set up the following committees, expert groups, outside agencies and study groups since July 1997.
In November 1997, I established an inter-departmental Year 2000 monitoring committee to oversee the achievement of Year 2000 compliance for IT systems and other office equipment in the Civil Service. There are 12 members on the committee, eight civil servants and four private sector members nominated by the Minister. The committee is obliged to report to Government every two months. There are no costs associated with the committee.
I have announced that the proposed changes to the self-assessment system in the 1998 Finance Act will not be implemented until a fuller impact assessment involving all interested parties has been carried out. The report is being carried out by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. There will be no costs involved.
In September 1997, following the publication of the report of the McCracken Tribunal, I asked the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Finance to review the existing Revenue powers in relation to bank accounts. Any decision to augment these powers will be taken in the light of all relevant information available. This includes information and recommendations which the Moriarty tribunal and investigations carried out by the Tánaiste under the Companies Acts may provide. In addition, officials from this Department and Revenue are visiting a number of other jurisdictions in order to gain information on the position in other countries. This review will be completed when the recommendations of the Moriarty tribunal and other relevant information becomes available There are no costs involved.
The tax strategy group considers taxation policy options in advance of each budget and Finance Bill. Membership comprises officials of the Departments of Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social, Community and Family Affairs and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, with the special advisers to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social, Community and Family Affairs. There are no costs involved.
Following the announcement of proposed changes in the Finance Bill, 1998, for credit unions, I agreed to set up a working group with the Irish League of Credit Unions under an independent chairperson to examine the taxation of returns on credit union savings bearing in mind the special and particular nature of the credit union movement, its contribution to Irish society and the wider taxation issues involved. The working group will report to me by 30 September 1998. There are no costs involved.
I have established a working group on targeted tax relief for those in the home looking after a family member in need of care. It includes representatives of the Departments of Finance, Social, Community and Family Affairs, Health and Children and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. Its report is due by autumn 1998. There are no costs involved.
The expert group on improving public finance statements was set up to examine and analyse the financial statements currently published by the Department of Finance with a view to improving their simplicity and transparency. There are nine members in this group which will report to the Minister for Finance before the 1999 budget.
Recent allegations have resulted in significant public concern about certain of the activities of particular banks and the banking industry generally. It is with this concern in mind that I decided to establish a working group of representatives from my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Central Bank, the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General, the task of which is to investigate the law and practice governing the provision of financial services in Ireland and the impact this has on consumers. In this regard, the group is undertaking an assessment of the laws relating to the role of the Director of Consumer Affairs and the role of the Central Bank, including the procedures used to give effect to these roles, with a view to identifying the impact of these on consumers and, in particular, to identify if there are gaps in consumer protection that need to be filled. The group has also been asked to consider what steps may be required to increase the public understanding of the regulatory systems, including the manner of their implementation.
The group has been asked to report its findings and any recommendations it may have to me by mid-May. I understand the group has met on three separate occasions to date. I have been advised that significant progress has been made and that I should have its report within the timescale prescribed. There are no particular costs associated with this group.
