Questions and answers published after July 2012 can be viewed here. Viewing by Government Department is possible by term or specific dates from March 2016 onwards. Written answers are published as received from departments. To see parliamentary questions published before July 2012, search in Dáil debates.
Questions and answers for Dáil or Seanad term
Page 1 of 1
Thu, 15 Feb 2024
written
Departmental Schemes
Brendan Howlin
179. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance when the revised disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme will be introduced; when the criteria for issuing a primary medical certificate for his scheme will be revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7180/24]
Tue, 21 Mar 2023
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Rental Sector
Brendan Howlin
327. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the application of the rental tax credit, to ensure that the children of a property owner who are registered tenants in the property with the RTB paying a market rent, can avail of this credit on the same basis as any other renter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13140/23]
Wed, 18 Jan 2023
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Tax Credits
Brendan Howlin
388. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance in relation to the new rent relief scheme for parents who are paying their children’s rent while studying at third level, if he will extend the scheme to cover parents of students who are paying for ‘digs’-type accommodation or ‘rent a room’ accommodation; if he will ensure that the parents of students studying in the EU and UK whose course fees are eligible for tax relief will also be entitled to tax relief for accommodation paid for these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2407/23]
Tue, 16 Nov 2021
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Insurance Coverage
Brendan Howlin
210. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the options available a couple in full-time employment with the clear expectation of being able to repay the mortgage over a lifetime of work in circumstances in which they require life insurance to secure a mortgage for a home loan and such insurance is unavailable due to a congenital illness; if there is a requirement for the insurance industry to offer life insurance in these circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55495/21]
Tue, 5 Oct 2021
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Banking Sector
Brendan Howlin
163. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the options available to an Irish company that has been refused by the two largest banking companies in Ireland to open a business bank account; if his Department or any other State agency offers assistance in such cases to new companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47599/21]
Tue, 28 Sep 2021
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Tax Reliefs
Brendan Howlin
278. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he plans to make adjustments in the tax saver rail ticket system to facilitate workers who are returning to the workplace on a two day or three-day work basis rather than a five-day commute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46022/21]
Tue, 25 May 2021
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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Brendan Howlin
180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the repayment of the employment wage subsidy scheme to a person (details supplied); his views on whether this was a bona fide application that would have serious knock-on effects for apprenticeships if the payment was disallowed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27524/21]
Wed, 24 Mar 2021
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Wage Subsidy Scheme
Brendan Howlin
491. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he has considered the admission of the events industry to supports and schemes (details supplied) until six months after mass gatherings are permitted again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15395/21]
Wed, 27 Jan 2021
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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Brendan Howlin
227. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the supports available under the Covid restrictions support scheme particularly regarding wholesalers that cater for the hospitality industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4316/21]
Thu, 22 Oct 2020
written
Living City Initiative
Brendan Howlin
47. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to extend the Living City Initiative to further large towns such as Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32113/20]
Wed, 7 Oct 2020
written
Disabled Drivers and Passengers Scheme
Brendan Howlin
57. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the timeline for the recommencement of processing of applications under the disabled drivers tax concessions scheme following the Supreme Court decision on 18 June 2020; the number of applications under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29090/20]
Tue, 8 Sep 2020
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Tax Code
Brendan Howlin
289. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to review the taxation of index funds and ETFs; if the periodic taxation of ETFs is to be maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21807/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Mortgage Lending
Brendan Howlin
63. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he has an agreement from the banks that persons with mortgage approval and who subsequently went on the temporary wage subsidy scheme payment will not have their mortgage approval withdrawn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10611/20]
Tue, 16 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Brendan Howlin
88. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if further consideration will be given to the application for the temporary wage subsidy scheme by a business (details supplied); the reason the business has been excluded from the scheme due to the fact it was closed for renovations on the designated date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11140/20]
Wed, 3 Jun 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Brendan Howlin
64. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if a similar mechanism could be found to assist businesses which are seasonal by nature such as a company (details supplied) and that were not in operation on the designated day in view of the commitment to find a solution to the issue of women returning to the workforce at the end of maternity leave and their entitlement to be brought within the terms of the temporary wage subsidy scheme. [8610/20]
Wed, 27 May 2020
written
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Brendan Howlin
68. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if a person (details supplied) is eligible to avail of the wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7669/20]
Tue, 5 Nov 2019
written
VAT Rate Application
Brendan Howlin
126. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the expected yield from increasing VAT on food supplements from 0% to 13.5%; the reason this policy change was not announced or included on the documentation published on budget day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44509/19]
Tue, 5 Nov 2019
written
VAT Rate Application
Brendan Howlin
127. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if his decision to apply VAT to food supplements will be irreversible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44510/19]
Tue, 5 Nov 2019
written
Budget Measures
Brendan Howlin
128. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the measures included in the Finance Bill 2019 that will result in additional revenue for the Exchequer in 2020 that were not announced on budget day, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44511/19]
Tue, 8 Oct 2019
written
Dormant Accounts Fund
Brendan Howlin
39. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the value of the dormant accounts fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40726/19]
Tue, 9 Jul 2019
written
National Economic Dialogue
Brendan Howlin
168. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on his attendance at the National Economic Dialogue. [29289/19]
Tue, 28 May 2019
written
Revenue Commissioners
Brendan Howlin
52. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if the attention of the Revenue Commissioners has been drawn to the delays experienced by customers using the contact number it has provided in order to access appointments; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22323/19]
Tue, 9 Apr 2019
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Financial Transactions Tax
Brendan Howlin
149. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the position of Ireland with regard to the financial transaction tax proposed by France and Germany as a measure to bridge the EU budget gap due to Brexit and to provide for a specific eurozone budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16170/19]
Tue, 9 Apr 2019
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Financial Transactions Tax
Brendan Howlin
150. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the yield that would arise from a financial transaction tax based on the French model on Irish transactions levied at a rate of 0.1% on share and bond transactions and 0.01% on derivative products; the way in which the French proposal differs from the Irish stamp duty regime that applies only to share transactions on Irish incorporated companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16171/19]
Wed, 19 Dec 2018
written
Departmental Advertising Campaigns
Brendan Howlin
118. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the amount spent by his Department on public advertising and the purchase of external communications and publicity in 2018 by advertising campaign including specific amounts on social media campaigns (details supplied) or other digital platforms; the amount spent on public relations or other communications support in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53576/18]
Tue, 4 Dec 2018
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Prize Bonds
Brendan Howlin
160. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the prize fund available under the national prize bond scheme; his plans to increase the prize fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50755/18]
Tue, 27 Nov 2018
written
VAT Rate Application
Brendan Howlin
175. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans for the VAT regime on food supplements which have been zero rated for tax purposes to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49398/18]
Tue, 20 Nov 2018
written
Departmental Advertising Campaigns
Brendan Howlin
180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48299/18]
Tue, 23 Oct 2018
written
VAT Rate Application
Brendan Howlin
230. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to alter the VAT regime on health supplements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43963/18]
Tue, 16 Oct 2018
written
Budget 2019
Brendan Howlin
166. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the additional carry-over cost in 2020 of the tax measures introduced in budget 2019; the cost by tax measure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42271/18]
Tue, 16 Oct 2018
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Tax Data
Brendan Howlin
167. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue paid in each of the past five years as a result of the CGT exit tax rate of 33%; the number of companies it applied to as previously provided for in sections 627 and 628 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; the estimated revenue which would be raised if the new regime was applied at 33% rather than 12.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42272/18]
Tue, 24 Jul 2018
written
Departmental Budgets
Brendan Howlin
387. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the breakdown by project for the capital allocation of €26 million in 2018 to his Vote group; the breakdown by project for the proposed allocation of €25 million in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35283/18]
Tue, 24 Apr 2018
written
European Investment Bank Loans
Brendan Howlin
131. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the average interest rate applying to EIB loans initiated in each of the years 2016 and 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17940/18]
Tue, 27 Mar 2018
written
Brexit Issues
Brendan Howlin
83. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the economic impact assessments his Department has commissioned on Brexit. [5754/18]
Tue, 27 Mar 2018
written
European Central Bank
Brendan Howlin
119. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the engagements and discussions he has had with other EU leaders on vacancies at the European Central Bank. [9660/18]
Tue, 27 Mar 2018
written
Tax Compliance
Brendan Howlin
182. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the reason the Revenue Commissioners have audited only five section 110 companies for tax purposes; the action he has taken in ensuring they fulfil all their obligations in respect of Irish and European money laundering and terrorist financing; the mechanisms in place to review this and key persons in such organisations such as directors, senior managers and so on, on a yearly, monthly and quarterly basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13622/18]
Tue, 27 Mar 2018
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Tax Avoidance
Brendan Howlin
183. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if the issue of tax avoidance by so-called vulture funds has been further examined; if such entities are subject to corporation tax in respect of interest earned and other banking activities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13623/18]
Thu, 22 Mar 2018
written
State Debt
Brendan Howlin
55. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the gross and net debt-to-GDP and GNI ratios following the publication of the 2017 national accounts by the CSO on 8 March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13405/18]
Thu, 8 Mar 2018
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Departmental Staff Data
Brendan Howlin
79. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of staff assigned in his Department to the press office, public relations or communications roles in each year since 2015; the positions by staffing grade and designated role; when each new position came into existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11703/18]
Thu, 8 Mar 2018
written
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Brendan Howlin
80. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if a panel has been established in his Department for communications officers; if a Civil Service position of head of communications or similar role or description has been appointed in his Department; if so, when the appointment occurred; the grade at which it occurred; the reason for same; the policy basis for same; the person that approved the appointment; his plans to make such an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11719/18]
Tue, 27 Feb 2018
written
World Economic Forum
Brendan Howlin
179. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the cost to his Department of attending the World Economic Forum at Davos in 2018; the costs incurred by travel, accommodation, attendance fees and other items; the names of those that attended paid for by his Department; the individual costs attached to each and all other sundry costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9804/18]
Wed, 7 Feb 2018
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Brexit Data
Brendan Howlin
98. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has commissioned economic or regulatory impact assessments of the risks to sectors under the purview of his Department following the decision of the UK to exit the EU and the various types of future relationships that might result; if he will provide a copy of such studies conducted; the persons or body commissioned to conduct this research; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6305/18]
Wed, 7 Feb 2018
written
Brexit Data
Brendan Howlin
99. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the additional budget for 2018 or other years, provided to his Department and all agencies and bodies within his remit to plan or prepare for Brexit; the number of additional staff that have been recruited to work on this policy area in each body, agency and his Department; the number of dedicated staff planning and working on Brexit matters in each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6322/18]
Tue, 16 Jan 2018
written
European Investment Bank
Brendan Howlin
188. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the extent of State borrowing from the European Investment Bank; the average rate and duration of such borrowing; the advantage to the State of such borrowing over direct Exchequer financing; the projects that have received funding to date and on which there are outstanding amounts, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54538/17]
Thu, 14 Dec 2017
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Legislative Programme
Brendan Howlin
69. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the Acts, or parts of Acts, awaiting commencement within his area of statutory responsibility; the reason for the delay in the commencement of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53568/17]
Thu, 30 Nov 2017
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European Banking Authority
Brendan Howlin
53. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the role his Department had in Ireland's bid for the European Banking Authority and his engagements with other European leaders on Ireland's bid. [50203/17]
Tue, 21 Nov 2017
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Departmental Reports
Brendan Howlin
146. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance when the report of the working group on the tax and fiscal treatment of rental accommodation providers, expected to be submitted to him in July 2017, will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48924/17]
Tue, 24 Oct 2017
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Fiscal Data
Brendan Howlin
91. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the estimated fiscal space available in 2019 to 2021 following budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44806/17]
Mon, 11 Sep 2017
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Tax Data
Brendan Howlin
88. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the estimated yield from a 1% levy on online digital advertising to be charged on advertising carried on an Internet or mobile platform here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36792/17]
Mon, 11 Sep 2017
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Departmental Staff Data
Brendan Howlin
105. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisors, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of public or Civil Service staff seconded to work within his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36953/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
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Gross National Income
Brendan Howlin
136. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the gross national income impact on gross and net debt, current, past and future, in tabular form; his plans to use this statistical method for budget statements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36003/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
written
National Debt
Brendan Howlin
137. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the gross and net debt positions as a percentage of GDP and GNI following the publication of the 2016 national accounts update in July 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36006/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
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National Debt
Brendan Howlin
138. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the factors influencing the difference between gross and net debt including an arithmetical reconciliation for 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36007/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
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State Investments
Brendan Howlin
139. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the assessed value of the State’s remaining banking investments by institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36008/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
written
Gross National Income
Brendan Howlin
140. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the gross debt to gross national income star ratio for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36009/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
written
Government Expenditure
Brendan Howlin
141. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the percentage share of voted and non-voted expenditure of GDP and GNI for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36010/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
written
National Debt
Brendan Howlin
142. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the cost of interest repayments on the national debt for each of the years from 2012 and to date in 2017, in monetary terms, as a percentage of GDP, as a percentage of GNI and as a percentage of both voted and non-voted expenditure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36012/17]
Wed, 26 Jul 2017
written
Government Expenditure
Brendan Howlin
143. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the details of non-voted expenditure in 2016 and to date in 2017; his plans to introduce additional transparency into the deployment of non-voted expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36013/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
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Tax Code
Brendan Howlin
133. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the 2018 and full-year cost or yield of all additional taxation measures announced as part of budget 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32238/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
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Departmental Expenditure
Brendan Howlin
162. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the level of expenditure by his Department or organisations under the aegis of his Department for each of the past five years on photography, advertising, communications advice, public relations, website development, media interview training and preparation; the events, campaigns or policies to which this expenditure related; the company or person to which such payments were made, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32651/17]
Tue, 11 Jul 2017
written
Tax Code
Brendan Howlin
163. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a soft drinks industry levy; if the funds raised will be ring-fenced to fund childhood anti-obesity measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32665/17]
Tue, 27 Jun 2017
written
Departmental Staff Data
Brendan Howlin
153. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the staffing complement of his Department in whole-time equivalents as at the end of 2016. [29604/17]
Thu, 11 May 2017
written
Private Rented Accommodation
Brendan Howlin
63. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the progress of the working group on tax and fiscal treatment of rental accommodation providers; the number of times the group has met; the sectorial inputs it has received or requested, other than the public consultation; the timeline for the group to produce a final report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22405/17]
Tue, 21 Mar 2017
written
Fiscal Data
Brendan Howlin
216. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a revised estimate of Ireland's gross and net debt to gross domestic product, GDP, ratio, in view of the publication by the Central Statistics Office of Quarterly National Accounts Quarter 4 2016 and Year 2016 (Preliminary) on 9 March 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/17]
Tue, 28 Feb 2017
written
Financial Services Sector
Brendan Howlin
225. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he has raised Ireland's bid to secure the European Banking Authority with his EU counterparts in bilateral meetings. [2781/17]
Tue, 24 Jan 2017
written
Private Rented Accommodation
Brendan Howlin
138. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the status of action 9 of the strategy for the private rental market which sets out that his Department will establish a working group on tax and fiscal treatment of rental accommodation providers in the first quarter of 2017; the terms of reference for the working group; if the working group has met; the membership of the working group; if the group will provide opportunities for outside engagement and submissions; the timeline for the group to produce a final report; if the work of this group will encompass the consideration of tax relief for renters recently referred to by the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government or if that matter will be considered by a separate group; if so, if he will provide the same details requested in relation to the working group on tax and fiscal treatment of rental accommodation providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2622/17]
Tue, 17 Jan 2017
oral
Financial Services Sector
Brendan Howlin
35. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance his Department's current role in engaging with the financial services industry here. [38620/16]
Tue, 17 Jan 2017
written
EU Funding
Brendan Howlin
92. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if agreements have been reached on the European Fund for Strategic Investments. [1990/17]
Tue, 8 Nov 2016
written
Ministerial Appointments
Brendan Howlin
126. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the process which will be followed in appointing the chairperson of the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council; the date on which this position fell vacant; the date on which he expects the appointment to be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33769/16]
Tue, 5 Jul 2016
written
Customs and Excise Controls
Brendan Howlin
126. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance the number of drug detection dogs available to the customs service; the location of such dogs; his plans to deploy more drug detection dogs at the points of entry into this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19243/16]