Written Answers Nos. 150-170
150. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action he and his Department have taken in the case of a person (details supplied) who has been sentenced to death due to his Baha'i faith in Yemen; if this matter has been raised with the European Union external action service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2906/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); the efforts being made at EU and international level to address this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2917/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 151 together.
I am aware of the case to which the Deputies refer, which is a cause for concern, in particular as the individual appears to have been sentenced on the basis of his religious beliefs. Ireland strongly condemns all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, and attaches great importance to combating all forms of discrimination based on religion or belief and incitement to religious hatred. Ireland consistently raises the issues of racism and intolerance and advocates for inclusive societies at the UN Human Rights Council, as well as at the Council of Europe and the OSCE.
Furthermore, Ireland is unequivocal in its stance on the death penalty. We oppose and condemn its use in all circumstances, and in particular in cases where there are allegations of unfair trials preceding its implementation. The abolition of the death penalty is one of Ireland’s international priorities, and my Department regularly conveys our stance on this issue to all countries where the death penalty is still in use.
The conflict in Yemen, now in its third year, has led to grave concerns about human rights and Ireland has worked in the UN system to address these. At the Human Rights Council in September 2017, Ireland joined the small core group of countries that drove forward the adoption of a Resolution on Yemen, which established a group of international experts to investigate the facts in relation to violations of human rights and humanitarian law on the ground. This group will report back to the Human Rights Council, as an important step towards accountability in Yemen.
Among other pressing issues, this resolution expressed concern at the severe restrictions on freedom of religion or belief in Yemen, including for members of the Baha’i faith. Ireland calls on all parties to immediately release all Baha’i detained in Yemen due to their religious belief, to cease the issuance of arrest warrants against them and to cease the harassment to which they are subjected.
Officials from this Department also remain in contact with representatives of the Baha’i community in Ireland, with whom they have discussed the situation in Yemen, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
My Department necessarily prioritises its efforts to promote improvements in the general human rights situation, as it does not have the capacity to actively pursue at EU and international level all of the individual cases that arise. Accordingly, my Department will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Yemen, as well as the issues of freedom of religion and the death penalty, and will take every appropriate opportunity to advocate for them.
Finally, a real improvement in the human rights situation in Yemen will require an end to conflict. I would like to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to support all efforts towards a negotiated settlement to the conflict in that country.
152. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the implications of Ireland’s recent endorsement of PESCO with its binding commitment to yearly increases in defence spending for wider international work on disarmament; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2956/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision by Ireland to participate in Permanent Structured Cooperation, approved by the Government on 21 November 2017 and endorsed by the Dail on 7 December 2017, in full accordance with the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, has absolutely no implications for Ireland’s wider international work on disarmament.Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is a mechanism provided for in the Treaty of the European Union (Articles 42.6, 46 and Protocol 10), to enable countries to come together and, on a project by project basis, jointly develop military crisis management capabilities for use in support of CSDP Operations. Ireland has been a consistent supporter and full participant in the development of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), in particular ensuring ongoing support for the UN and multilateralism and its capacity to contribute to international peace and security operations. As one of the main contributing countries to CSDP missions we have also been fully engaged in developing the PESCO concept. Ireland views the development of PESCO as a mechanism aimed at enhancing the EU’s capacity to engage in peacekeeping and crisis management operations, in line with our own values, and consequently complementing our work in disarmament. Disarmament and non-proliferation remains a high priority for my Department and continues to be a strong focus for our foreign policy. In 2017 we played a lead role in the adoption of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Ireland also currently holds the Chairmanship, with Iceland, of the Missile Technology Control Regime.
With regard to PESCO, it is important to reiterate that there is no requirement on Ireland or any other EU member State to achieve any specific target in relation to Defence expenditure, nor is there any agreement at EU level in this regard. The Deputy will be aware that the Lisbon Treaty explicitly provides that it is entirely a matter for Ireland, or any other Member State, to determine the nature and volume of its own defence and security expenditure, as well as the nature of its defence capabilities.
153. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a decision has been reached on the legal status of a child born here to a mother with subsidiary protection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3009/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the legal status of the person in question is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality, which is responsible for citizenship and immigration matters. I can confirm that the person’s parents have submitted an application for an Irish passport. However that application is on hold, pending the receipt of guidance from the Department of Justice and Equality on the question of the status and citizenship entitlement of persons born in the State to a parent benefiting from subsidiary protection. This clarity is necessary due to the Department’s legal obligations under the Passports Act, 2008 as amended (“the Act”). The Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to him/her. In order to meet this legal requirement, therefore, each person must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship in his/her application.
For those persons who were born in the State on or after 1 January 2005, their entitlement to Irish citizenship is governed by the terms of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1956 as amended (“the 1956 Act”). Section 6A of the 1956 Act provides that a person born in the State on or after 1 January 2005, where neither parent is an Irish or British citizen or otherwise entitled to reside in the State or Northern Ireland without restriction at the time of that person’s birth may claim citizenship by birth in the State (and thereby establish eligibility for an Irish passport) only where a parent has been lawfully resident in the State for three years of the four preceding his/her birth.
Proof of lawful residence in the State, to determine whether or not a parent has the required three year period of lawful residence, is required in all such passport applications.
In the case in question, the applicant’s parent had been granted Subsidiary Protection by the Department of Justice and Equality (D/JE) shortly before the applicant’s birth. This Department has sought confirmation from D/JE on whether such residence is reckonable for the purposes of citizenship under section 6A of the 1956 Act. Pending receipt of the requested guidance by the Department, the passport application submitted for the person in question cannot be finalised, as no entitlement to Irish citizenship has yet been demonstrated.
154. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contracts his Department or agencies under his remit has with a company (details supplied); the status of these contracts; the contingency plans that may now be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3147/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo contracts have been awarded by my Department to the company referred to by the Deputy.
155. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department organised a briefing for a member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade in advance of travel to Azerbaijan in October 2013 to observe the elections there; if so, the name of the person; and the capacity in which he or she travelled. [3300/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile this would be for the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade to confirm, it appears to be the case that no member of the Joint Committee in October 2013 travelled to Azerbaijan to observe the elections there. I do understand that an Oireachtas member representing Ireland on the Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) was part of a monitoring mission organized by PACE, in line with its very long established practice. Our records do not indicate that a briefing was arranged by the Department, though it is always happy to offer such briefings if requested by a member of the Oireachtas.
In accordance with normal practice, the Department nominated ten observers, none of them a member of the Oireachtas, who observed the elections as part of the OSCE’s ODIHR mission.
156. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of agencies, boards or other bodies under the aegis of his Department that have been disbanded or amalgamated or whose functions were subsumed back into his Department since 2011; the number of such bodies set up by his Department since that date; the names of the bodies in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3405/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no State agencies, boards or other similar types of bodies under the aegis of my Department and none have been established, disbanded, amalgamated nor have had their functions subsumed back into my Department since 2011.
157. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount paid out and the number of personal injury claims the payouts related to by each agency under the aegis of his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2017; the number of claims that were settled outside of court in each of these years; the number of payments that were as a result of a court judgment in each of these years; the nature of the claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3422/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no agencies under the aegis of my Department.
158. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the threats to the life of a person (details supplied) in Argentina and the ongoing repression, intimidation and delegitimisation of the Mapuche; and if he will raise the issue with his Argentine counterpart. [3439/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the situation of the Mapuche community in Argentina, and the historic and continued challenges faced by indigenous populations in parts of Latin America. I condemn unreservedly, as I have done on previous occasions, any intimidation, violence, or discrimination perpetrated against indigenous peoples and those seeking to defend their rights, whether in Argentina or elsewhere. I thank the Deputy for bringing this particular case to my attention. I have asked officials at our Embassy in Buenos Aires to monitor the case and to keep me informed of developments. At the 28th Session of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 6 November 2017, Ireland commended Argentina on its record of adherence to international human rights norms and treaties, but expressed our concern that the implementation of legislative processes pertaining to human rights remained weak in some cases, and that this implementation gap disproportionately affected vulnerable members of Argentine society, including members of indigenous communities.
In that regard Ireland recommended that Argentina develop and implement, in close consultation with civil society, a national human rights plan with clear, specific and measurable goals.
In addition to representations at multilateral level, officials of my Department at home and abroad meet regularly with human rights activists and civil society leaders in Latin America, including those working on the rights of indigenous communities. My Department also makes a financial contribution to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to support its valuable work of protecting and vindicating human rights in the region.
I can assure the Deputy of this Department’s ongoing engagement with issues affecting indigenous communities in Latin America.
159. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Micheál Martin den Aire Airgeadais cad é a thuairim i dtaca le comhfhreagras a bhaineann leis an Tástáil Náisiúnta Carranna agus cás duine áirithe (sonraí tugtha). [2938/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá sé curtha in iúl ag na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim dom go bhforáiltear le halt 141(2)(e) agus (f) den Acht Airgeadais, 1992 do na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim rialachán a dhéanamh maidir le comhdhéanamh plátaí cláraithe ar fheithiclí. Tá rialachán déanta ag na Coimisinéirí Ioncaim ina leith in Ionstraim Reachtúil Uimhir 318 de 1992, Na Rialacháin um Chlárú agus Cánachas Feithiclí, 1992, An Chéad Sceideal. Forordaítear leis an Sceideal seo an fhormáid nach mór a úsáid ar phlátaí cláraithe, na litreacha ‘IRL’ san áireamh.
Tugadh foráil den chéad uair in Ionstraim Reachtúil Uimhir 287 de 1990, Na Rialacháin um Fheithiclí Bóthair (Clárú agus Ceadúnú) (Leasú) go gcuirfí IRL san áireamh, inar tagraíodh do IRL a bheith mar an siombal náisiúnta aontaithe le haghaidh feithiclí cláraithe in Éirinn, mar a socraíodh ag Coinbhinsiún na Náisiún Aontaithe ar Thrácht ar Bhóithre (Geneva, 1949).
Le Rialachán Uimhir 2411/98 ón gComhairle (AE) de 3 Samhain 1998 ar aithint suaitheantais an Bhallstáit ina bhfuil mótharfheithiclí agus a leantóirí cláraithe i dtrácht laistigh den Chomhphobal, foráiltear d’uasmhéid trí litir le léiriú cén Ballstát ina bhfuil an fheithicil cláraithe.
Sa Treoirleabhar um an Tástáil Náisiúnta Carranna arna eisiúint ag an Údarás um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre, sonraítear gur cúis chun teipthe i gcás pláta cláraithe “marcanna, seachas iad siúd atá forordaithe” a bheith ar an bpláta cláraithe. Ós rud é gurb é IRL an teideal forordaithe le haghaidh tír chláraithe feithiclí a cláraíodh in Éirinn, tionscnófar teip má fhágtar as an áireamh é, agus/nó má chuirtear leagan malartach ina áit.
Níl aon fhoráil sa reachtaíocht le go gcuirfí an focal “Éire” ná leaganacha eile in áit na litreacha “IRL”, agus níl aon phleananna ann aon athruithe a dhéanamh don reachtaíocht.
160. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Finance his plans to widen the criteria to allow a person (details supplied) suffering from a rare syndrome to qualify for the primary medical certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3161/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VAT and Vehicle Registration Tax, an exemption from motor tax and a grant in respect of fuel expenditure, on the purchase of an adapted car for transport of a permanently and severely disabled person within the terms of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
The scheme and qualifying criteria were designed specifically for those with severe physical disabilities and are, therefore, necessarily precise. To qualify for the scheme an applicant must be in possession of a primary medical certificate, which can be obtained from a Senior Medical Officer of the HSE, if an applicant meets one of the following conditions:
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;
- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;
- be without both hands or without both arms;
- be without one or both legs;
- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;
- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.
An applicant who is unsuccessful in applying for a PMC can appeal the decision of the Senior Medical Officer to the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal which makes a new clinical decision within the scope of the six qualifying criteria. The Regulations mandate that the Medical Board of Appeal is independent in the exercise of its functions to ensure the integrity of its clinical determinations. After six months, a citizen can reapply if there is a deterioration in their condition.
From time to time representations are received on behalf of individuals who feel they would benefit from the scheme but do not qualify under the criteria. While I have sympathy for these cases, given the scale and scope of the scheme, I have no plans to expand the medical criteria beyond the six currently provided for in the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers (Tax Concessions) Regulations 1994.
161. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the way in which local property tax is collected; if arrangements for collection are under review; the way these funds are dispersed nationally; the amount of LPT funds collected granted to each of the local authorities in each of the years 2015 to 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2762/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn regard to the first part of the Deputy’s question, Revenue administers Local Property Tax (LPT) in accordance with the provisions of the Finance (Local Property Tax) Act 2012 (as amended). The Act specifies that LPT is a charge based on the market value of residential properties. The property valuation must be determined on a specific ‘valuation date’ and forms the basis for the LPT charge until the next ‘valuation date’. The first ‘valuation date’ for LPT was 1 May 2013 and the valuation of a property set on that date remains valid until 31 October 2019, following legislative amendments in the Finance (Local Property Tax) Amendment Act 2015. The 1 May 2013 valuation is not affected by any subsequent improvements or extensions to a residential property. Likewise, where a property is sold during the valuation period, and the value of the property has increased, there is no additional liability to LPT providing the initial 2013 valuation was accurate.
To assist with the calculation of LPT liability, valuations are divided into twenty (20) ‘valuation bands’ that incrementally increase by €50,000 per band. The only exceptions in this regard are Band 1 (€0 to €100,000) and Band 20 (greater than €1m). The LPT liability for Bands 1 to 19 is calculated at 0.18% of the mid-point in each band. For example, properties valued in Band 1 pay €90 per year (0.18% of €50,000). The LPT liability on properties valued in Band 20 is calculated at 0.18% up to €1m and 0.25% on the portion above €1m. With effect from 2015, Local Authorities can vary the LPT base rate (rate applied in 2014) by plus or minus 15% on residential properties located in their specific area. This variation is referred to as the 'Local Adjustment Factor'.
The person who is the liable owner of a residential property on the ‘liability date’ must make all statutory returns and payments in respect of that year. The ‘liability date’ in respect of 2013 was 1 May 2013 and for all subsequent years is 1 November in the preceding year. For example, the liability date in respect of 2018 is 1 November 2017. The statutory payment date for LPT is 1 January in the due year (i.e. 1 January 2018 for 2018). However to ease the payment burden Revenue introduced a wide range of options that facilitate payment in full on the due date, on a phased basis over the course of the year, or by annual debit authority on 21 March in the due year. The phased payment arrangements can operate through direct debits from current bank accounts, through salary deductions, or through deductions from certain Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine payments.
The LPT Act provides for a number of exemptions from the tax where certain qualifying criteria are met. Properties qualifying for some of the exemptions are not liable to LPT for the full ‘valuation period’ (currently 1 May 2013 to 31 October 2019) while others cease to be available once a change occurs in the status of the property and the qualifying conditions are no longer met.
The LPT Act also provides for a deferral or partial deferral (50%) of LPT where certain specified circumstances exist. These circumstances include ‘Income Level’, ‘Hardship’, ‘Personal Insolvency’ and ‘Personal Representative of a Deceased Person’. Once granted, a deferral normally remains in place for the duration of the ‘valuation period’ (currently 1 May 2013 to 31 October 2019). However a deferral is not an exemption and the outstanding liability remains as a charge on the property and must be paid before a sale or transfer can be completed. Interest is also charged on the deferred amount at a rate of 4% per annum.
In circumstances of non-compliance, Revenue has a number of sanctions available to secure payment. These include mandatory deduction from salary, occupational pension and certain Government payments; withholding of a refund of other tax as payment against LPT; surcharge on income tax, corporation tax or capital gains tax returns; refusal of a tax clearance certificate; application of interest at the rate of 8% per annum; referral to a sheriff or a solicitor for collection; Attachment of a bank account or third party debt. Revenue always makes every effort to engage with the defaulting taxpayer in an attempt to agree a mutually acceptable payment arrangement before any debt collection sanctions are applied.
Revenue publishes detailed statistical information on LPT, including collection at Local Authority level, on its website at: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/local-property-tax/index.aspx.
I recently announced that a review of the LPT will be advanced by my Department during 2018. The review will look in particular at the impact on LPT liabilities of property price developments. It will also include an examination of the outstanding recommendations of the 2015 Thornhill review of the Local Property Tax (LPT). The review will be carried out by the Department of Finance in conjunction with the Revenue Commissioners and the Departments of Public Expenditure & Reform and Housing, Planning & Local Government. The review will include a consultation process to enable all interested parties and individuals to submit their views on the future of the LPT.
The purpose of the review will be to inform me in relation to any actions I may recommend to Government concerning the overall yield from LPT and its contribution to total tax revenue. The review will be informed by the desirability of achieving relative stability, both over the short and longer terms, in LPT payments of liable persons.
Distribution of LPT to local authorities is the responsibility of the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. Local retention of LPT began in 2015 and is now established as an important source of funding for the local government sector, thereby reducing reliance on central funding. The Government decided that 80% of the estimated LPT liability in each local authority area for a given year is retained in that area to fund public services, notwithstanding any local variation decisions. The remaining 20% of LPT is re-distributed to provide equalisation funding to those local authorities that have lower property tax bases, due to the variance in property values and density across the State. This reflects the fact that local authorities vary significantly from one another in terms of size, population, public service demands, infrastructure and income sources.
In accordance with decisions taken by Government regarding the distribution of LPT, every local authority has a minimum level of funding available to it, known as the baseline. There are variances across the country in terms of LPT levels but it is important that all local authorities receive at least this baseline level of funding to ensure they can deliver services. Equalisation is the process that ensures that every local authority’s LPT allocation is brought up to this baseline and there is a finite level of funding available for this purpose. Funding for equalisation purposes is provided via the Local Government Fund. The shortfall between the 20% contribution from all local authorities and the total amount required for equalisation is met by the Exchequer.
LPT allocations amounts and the distribution of equalisation funding are published on Department of Housing Planning and Local Governments’ website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/search/archived/current/sub-type/funding-allocation/type/publications?query=local%20property%20tax%20allocations.
162. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the areas and-or elements of the local property tax on which the cross-departmental group on the review of the local property tax is focused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2763/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I announced on the 16th of January, the review of the Local Property Tax (LPT) will look in particular at the impact on LPT liabilities of property price developments. It will include an examination of the outstanding recommendations of the 2015 Thornhill review of the Local Property Tax. It is expected that the review will be completed at the end of August and that the group will provide a number of policy choices for consideration. The review will be informed by the desirability of achieving relative stability, both over the short and longer terms, in LPT payments of liable persons.
The review will also include a consultation process to enable all interested parties and individuals to submit their views on the future of the LPT.
163. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the way in which the moneys collected in respect of motor tax are dispersed; the amount and the areas funds are allocated to that are collected in respect of motor tax, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2764/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Services Act 2017 facilitated the introduction of a budgetary reform measure to, inter alia, reduce the complexity of cash flows between the Exchequer and the Local Government Fund by amending the Local Government Act 1998. As a result, from 1 January 2018, Local Property Tax is now paid directly into the Local Government Fund, rather than being directed in the first instance to the Exchequer and Motor Tax receipts are now paid directly into the Central Fund instead of to the Local Government Fund (LGF).
So prior to the end of 2017, Motor Tax receipts helped to fund the expenditure authorised by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government from the LGF in accordance with Section 6 of the Local Government Act 1998. Further information on this budgetary reform may be found in the Budget 2018 Economic and Fiscal Outlook and in the 2018 Revised Estimates Volume.
It is important to point out that the Central Fund comprises tax revenue, non-tax revenue and borrowing. Issues from the Central Fund, as approved by the Dáil, are used in the day-to-day running of the State and it is, therefore, not possible to link specific revenue to specific expenditure.
164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance when he is next scheduled to meet with the banks regarding the tracker mortgage scandal; and the position regarding the matter in view of the fact a bank (details supplied) is still awaiting a decision. [2780/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegarding the first part of the Deputy's question, at my recent attendance before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach I indicated that I intend to meet the chief executive officers of the main banks on a regular basis and that I will be aiming to have my next meeting with them in the coming months. However, no date has yet been scheduled for these meetings.
In relation to the second aspect of the question, I understand the Deputy is seeking information on when customers of the specified bank can expect to be informed of the outcome of tracker examination. In terms of the overall examination, the Central Bank has advised that it is of the view that the vast majority of impacted customers have now been identified. However, the Bank has also advised that it will continue to review, challenge and verify the work undertaken by the lenders to ensure that all affected customers are identified and that any emerging issues are addressed. The Central Bank has pointed out that the examination framework requires lenders to contact impacted customers when they are identified and to immediately stop the imposition of further harm. In terms of the payment of appropriate redress and compensation, the Central Bank has indicated that every bank is dead lined to the maximum of their ability to deliver such payments. Unfortunately it will take some banks, such as the one referred to by the Deputy, somewhat longer than some other banks to conclude this process but I have made it clear that I want every affected mortgage borrower to be paid the appropriate redress and compensation as soon as possible. The Central Bank is also very conscious of this and it has indicated that all impacted borrowers who have so far been identified will be repaid and compensated by the end of June.
165. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Finance the progress made with regard to tackling the cost of motor insurance; the steps that have been implemented to date; the future steps that will be taken in order to reduce premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2791/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note at the outset that in my role as Minister for Finance I am responsible for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. Neither I nor the Central Bank can interfere in the provision or pricing of insurance products, as these matters are of a commercial nature, and are determined by insurance companies based on the risks they are willing to accept.
However, it is acknowledged that pricing in the motor insurance sector has been subject to a lot of volatility in recent years, from a point where some premiums appeared to be priced at an unsustainably low level to the more recent experience of large increases.
Indeed, the problem of rising motor insurance premiums was the main impetus for the establishment of the Cost of Insurance Working Group in July 2016. Its Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance was published in January 2017. The Report makes 33 recommendations with 71 associated actions to be carried out in agreed timeframes, which are set out in an Action Plan.
These recommendations were formulated to address the issue of increasing motor insurance costs, whilst taking account of the need to ensure a financially stable insurance sector. This stability aspect is important, as we do not want to find ourselves in a situation again where particular firms drive prices down to a level that is unsustainable and which ultimately results in insolvency.
Work is ongoing on the implementation of the recommendations by the relevant Government Departments and Agencies and there is a commitment within the Report that the Working Group will prepare quarterly updates on its progress. The third such update was published on the Department's website on 23 October 2017 and shows the progress to date on the overall implementation of the recommendations.
32 actions were due for completion in the first three quarters of 2017 in total and 29 of those actions have been completed to date. Substantial work has also been undertaken in respect of the nine action points categorised as “ongoing”. The fourth quarterly update for 2017 is scheduled to be published within the next few weeks and will focus on the 14 actions which were due for completion in the final quarter of 2017.
I believe that the ongoing implementation of the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance, in addition to the implementation of the Working Group's forthcoming report on employer and public liability insurance, will make a difference to the pricing of insurance premiums over the next 12 or so months. It is envisaged that the implementation of all the recommendations cumulatively, with the appropriate levels of commitment and cooperation from all relevant stakeholders, will achieve the objective of delivering fairer premiums for consumers. I also believe that the Setanta judgment, by finding that MIBI is not liable to meet third party claims, removes a major uncertainty from industry, which I would expect to be reflected in pricing in the short to medium term.
Finally, it should be noted that the most recent CSO data (for December 2017) indicates that private motor insurance premiums have decreased by 16.3% since peaking in July 2016. While the CSO statistics indicate a greater degree of stability on an overall basis, these figures represent a broad average and therefore there are many people who may still be seeing increases. However, I am hopeful that this greater stability in pricing will be maintained and that premiums should continue to fall from the very high levels of mid-2016.
166. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of interest paid by consumers on credit cards in each of the years 2015, 2016 and 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2856/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not captured by the Central Bank as part of the Credit and Debit Card Statistics they publish on a quarterly basis.
These statistics provide data in relation to credit and debit card transactions, including a sectoral breakdown of expenditure, E-commerce, spending outside Ireland, and data pertaining to the role of debit cards. A breakdown of the number of credit/debit cards currently issued to Irish residents is also provided.
As it happens, this question is fortuitously timed because this week sees the launch of a public awareness campaign by my Department, aimed specifically at raising awareness and encouraging people to consider switching credit cards. The Deputy may recall the first phase of the switching campaign which also targeted current accounts and mortgages.
The campaign will make it clear to consumers that switching credit card is easy and encourage them to visit the www.switchyourbank.ie website for further information and comparisons of credit cards available in the Irish market. This whole campaign is funded by contributions from AIB and PTSB as a condition of the approval of their restructuring plans by the EU Commission and there is no cost to the taxpayer.
167. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to provide tax incentives or State support for persons or couples wishing to downsize to a smaller property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2868/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to introduce incentives along the lines suggested by the Deputy. The Deputy will appreciate that tax reliefs and exemptions have costs which have to be paid for and their introduction must be considered only where there is a clear economic and social policy need to be addressed.
It should be noted in relation to local property tax (LPT), that where a person downsizes their residential property, assuming they stay in a similar location to the property they are selling, their LPT liability will, most likely, be less than the amount they would have been liable for on their original property.
In relation to what might also be regarded as property-related taxes, Stamp Duties are payable on the acquisition of residential property. The current rates are 1% on values up to €1M and 2% on any balance over that. I do not consider that a rate of 1% on the purchase of a property would represent a serious disincentive to any property owner considering trading down.
In relation to Capital Gains Tax (CGT), an exemption is in place on the disposal of a person's principal private residence. The exemption applies to any gain made on the disposal of an individual's dwelling house together with land occupied up to an area of one acre, excluding the site of the house. Full CGT relief applies where the period of occupation matches the period of ownership, and partial relief applies where the house has not been occupied by the individual for the full period of ownership.
168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the effective rate of corporation tax on oil and gas exploration and production in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2870/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra169. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the yield to the State in terms of profit resource rent tax from the gas fields in Kinsale, Ballycotton, Seven Heads and Corrib in each of the years since the inception of the tax, by gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2872/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the yield to the State in terms of corporation tax from the gas fields in Kinsale, Ballycotton, Seven Heads and Corrib in each of the past 20 years, by gas field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2873/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168 to 170, inclusive, together.
The effective rate of Corporation Tax on companies involved in oil and gas exploration cannot be provided due to the low number of companies involved in the sector and Revenue‘s obligation to observe confidentiality for taxpayers and small groups of taxpayers. However, most such companies are likely to be recorded in the broader trade sector “Mining and Quarrying”. The effective Corporation Tax rate for companies in the Mining and Quarrying sector for the years 2006 to 2015 (the latest year available), is as shown in the following table. For technical reasons this information is not available for the year 2008.
|
Tax Year |
Effective Corporation Tax Rate on Taxable Income of All Mining and Quarrying Companies |
|
2006 |
16.4% |
|
2007 |
18.5% |
|
2008 |
Not Available |
|
2009 |
15.0% |
|
2010 |
13.2% |
|
2011 |
16.5% |
|
2012 |
14.4% |
|
2013 |
15.6% |
|
2014 |
16.7% |
|
2015 |
17.1% |
I am advised by Revenue that it is not possible to separately identify the Corporation Tax receipts deriving from the gas fields named in Questions 2872/18 and 2873/18. However, the Deputy may wish to note that sectoral tax receipts are available from 2011 on the Revenue website at
www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/receipts/net-receipts-by-sector.pdf .
Tax receipts in respect of activities such as producing gas fields would most likely be recorded in the trade sector “Mining and Quarrying” in this table.
In respect of receipts of profit resource rent tax, no tax liability has been identified on Corporation Tax returns filed following the introduction of this tax. Profit resource rent tax applies in respect of profits from operating oil and gas fields in respect of licences/licensing option granted on or after 1 January 2007 to 17 June 2014. It is Revenue’s understanding that there have been no discoveries arising from licences granted during this timeframe.
