Written Answers Nos. 74-79
74. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on any talks or consultations that have taken place or are planned between him or his Department officials and the EU Commission or other EU member state Governments on the proposal for a knowledge box tax scheme for corporations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42446/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recognition of the fact that investment and growth in OECD economies is increasingly driven by investment in intangible assets, putting in place an attractive intellectual property offering is key for Ireland's success in attracting FDI. This is why in last month's Budget I made a clear statement of my intention to introduce a competitive income-based regime for intangible assets in Ireland which will be called a "Knowledge Development Box" or "KDB".
I view this as a positive measure for Ireland and my intention is that the Irish KDB will be among the best in class on offer internationally. In order to gather views from as broad a spectrum as possible on what this may entail, I will launch a public consultation process before the end of this year on how the Irish KDB should operate.
It is intended that the design of the KDB in Ireland will be along the lines of what are commonly known as 'patent boxes' which have existed for many years in countries that compete with us for FDI. At present, the measures that are in place in our competitor jurisdictions are the subject of on-going discussions at the OECD and EU level, as regards to their compatibility with the international rules around fair tax competition.
As I said in my Budget announcement, it will be necessary to ensure that the Irish KDB meets with the standards that remain to be agreed by both the OECD and the EU. To date, my officials have already been actively participating in such discussions at fora including the OECD Forum on Harmful Tax Practices and the EU Code of Conduct for Business Taxation.
75. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the measures that have been taken to extend the €100 tax credit for water charges to low-paid workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42447/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, a number of measures were announced on Budget day to improve the overall affordability of water charges. The objective of these supports is to assist households in the country who pay their Water bills.
Following on from the announcement on Budget day, officials from my Department are working closely with their colleagues in the other relevant Departments and Agencies, in the development of the processes that will be employed to deliver the relief.
As I stated on Budget day and subsequently, we will design the measure as broadly and efficiently as possible, to ensure that the relief reaches all households who pay their charges.
76. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a concession on motor tax for persons whose vehicles have been damaged by contaminated petrol considering the scale of the problem and the considerable damage many victims lie at the loss of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42452/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMotor tax is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and therefore this is not appropriate to my Department. I understand that the Minister for the Environment will today provide the Deputy with a response under PQ No. 183 (42381/14).
77. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Finance if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42461/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's question, my Department holds lists of applicants for positions to the boards of three bodies under its aegis. They are as follows:
National Treasury Management Agency
The recently enacted National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2014 provides that the Agency will have six members appointed by the Minister for Finance. An advertisement was placed on the Department of Finance website on 10 September, 2014 requesting expressions of interests from candidates with expertise and experience in specific areas as set out in Section 8 of the Act (investment, treasury management, business management, finance, economics or economic development, law, accounting and auditing, actuarial practice, risk management, insurance, project finance, corporate finance, the Civil Service of the Government or the Civil Service of the State).
Central Bank Commission
There is a list of applicants for positions on the Central Bank Commission. My Department last sought expressions of interest for positions on the Commission in December 2011, with a closing date of 13 January 2012.
Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal
There is a list of applicants for positions on Irish Financial Services Appeals Tribunal. The Department last sought expressions of interest for positions on the Tribunal in January 2013, with a closing date of 8 February 2013.
While the expressions of interest received will be considered, appointments will not necessarily be confined to those who are included on the lists. I have already announced that it is my intention to appoint Mr Willie Walsh as Chairman to the Board of NTMA.
78. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a comprehensive update in relation to the provision of a new Garda station in Athlone, County Westmeath, in view of the fact that the site has been identified and purchased for this. [42417/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) advances the provision of facilities for An Garda Síochána in line with the requirements identified by An Garda Síochána in its list of Building Programme Priorities. The project will involve a complete upgrade and refurbishment of the existing Garda Station and the adjacent former Government Offices, both of which are currently occupied by An Garda Síochána as is another property on the site. As part of the development, a link building will be constructed between the existing Garda Station and the former Government Offices.
This is a significant capital project upon which work on planning / design has already been undertaken by the OPW, based on a brief of accommodation provided by An Garda Síochána. It is estimated that construction works would take up to two years. The project will proceed subject to prioritisation and the availability of funding.
79. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to his reply of 19 June 2014 if a meeting was held between officials from the Office of Public Works and the Lough Mask Heritage Committee; if all of the participants as mentioned in the reply of 19 June attended; the outcome of this meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42390/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works have advised me that they are seeking to arrange a meeting with the Lough Mask Heritage Committee this month.
Unfortunately, it did not prove possible to progress a meeting with the committee during the summer months due to serious pressure of work elsewhere.
