Clare Daly
Ceist:103. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to have a bilateral meeting with the United States Secretary of the Air Force, Ms Heather Wilson. [20683/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinisterial Meetings
Ceisteanna (103)
Freagraí scríofa
I currently have no plans to meet with the US Secretary of the Air Force, Ms Heather Wilson.
Defence Forces Recruitment
Ceisteanna (104)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:104. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review the circumstances of a recent applicant (details supplied) to become a cadet in the Army; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20721/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The upper age limits for enlistment are determined on the basis that the essential functions of the Permanent Defence Force require its members to be able-bodied personnel of an age group which is commensurate with the functional requirements of the organisation.
In 2017, the military authorities proposed that the upper age limit for entry to cadetships be reduced from 28 years to 26 years. This has been implemented on a phased basis with advanced notification included in the Terms and Conditions of the 2017 Cadetship Competitions, which said - "Please note that the Upper Age Limit will be reduced on a phased basis to “under 27 years of age” for the 2018 Cadetship competitions and to “under 26 years of age” for the 2019 Cadetship competitions.
The terms and conditions for the 2018 Cadetship competition contained a similar notice, which said - "Please note that the Upper Age Limit will be reduced to “under 26 years of age” for the 2019 Cadetship competitions.
While I understand the disappointment experienced by this applicant, the age requirement is of general application to all candidates to the competition and, in order to ensure fairness to all, exceptions cannot be made in individual cases.
Question No. 105 answered with Question No. 98.
Civil Defence
Ceisteanna (106)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:106. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to instances in which branches of the Civil Defence are unable to fulfil their role or provide service due to a lack of resources in either 2018 or to date in 2019; the funding and resource allocation by branch made for the past two years to date; his plans to increase these supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20770/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Civil Defence training and operations are funded by a combination of annual operational grants from my Department and a contribution from the relevant local authority on a 70/30 basis. It is at the discretion of the Local Authority to provide additional funding over and above the required 30%. The 70% rate is set down in Section 35 of the Air Raid Precautions Act, 1939.
The table below outlines the amount provided in annual operational grants to each local authority in 2017 and 2018.
|
Annual Operational Grants to Local Authority Civil Defence |
||
|
Local Authority |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Carlow |
€44,845 |
€42,392 |
|
Cavan |
€70,066 |
€73,848 |
|
Clare |
€98,677 |
€76,437 |
|
Cork City |
€66,738 |
€82,068 |
|
Cork County |
€200,033 |
€201,389 |
|
Donegal |
€83,913 |
€87,908 |
|
Dublin City |
€385,218 |
€388,281 |
|
Galway |
€90,765 |
€95,430 |
|
Kerry |
€94,483 |
€116,054 |
|
Kildare |
€93,327 |
€96,556 |
|
Kilkenny |
€54,530 |
€49,768 |
|
Laois |
€79,434 |
€78,384 |
|
Leitrim |
€75,365 |
€74,750 |
|
Limerick |
€143,425 |
€135,991 |
|
Longford |
€48,802 |
awaiting relevant documentation |
|
Louth |
€77,369 |
€86,688 |
|
Mayo |
€85,679 |
€90,259 |
|
Meath |
€85,116 |
€89,322 |
|
Monaghan |
€76,383 |
€78,640 |
|
Offaly |
€80,241 |
€81,072 |
|
Roscommon |
€77,577 |
€77,454 |
|
Sligo |
€76,089 |
€75,965 |
|
Tipperary |
€142,769 |
€129,751 |
|
Waterford |
€140,407 |
€93,902 |
|
Westmeath |
€82,225 |
€81,588 |
|
Wexford |
€85,146 |
€85,497 |
|
Wicklow |
€82,314 |
€79,269 |
The grant is calculated based on a standard formula.
Additional grants, subject to budgetary resources within my Department, may also be provided to a local authority, on consideration of an application or request, towards the purchase of vehicles and/or equipment for use by Civil Defence personnel. In 2017, local authorities received €679,199 under this heading. The corresponding figure for 2018 was €478,802.
My Department officials are in regular contact with Civil Defence Officers and Assistant Civil Defence Officers within Local Authorities. I am not aware of any instance where Civil Defence units were unable to fulfil their role or provide services due to a lack of financial resources in 2018 or to date in 2019.
In a broader context, I commenced a review of the roles and activities of Civil Defence in September 2018 with a view to setting out a shared vision for the organisation over the next 10 to 15 years. Separately the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently carrying out a Spending Review of Civil Defence. Any adjustment to the supports to Local Authorities for Civil Defence purposes will be informed by the outcome of these reviews and future budget allocations.
Departmental Advertising Expenditure
Ceisteanna (107)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:107. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the costs incurred by his Department in respect of advertising in all forms to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has incurred advertising costs of €6,456.89 for the period in question.
These costs relate to general warning notices which are placed in national and regional newspapers to provide notification of activity by the Defence Forces at rifle ranges.
Foreign Conflicts
Ceisteanna (108)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:108. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the latest attacks in Israel and Palestine were discussed at the recent Foreign Affairs Council. [20556/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The renewal of violence between Israel and Gaza, which began on Friday 3 May and lasted until Monday 6 May, was deeply alarming. While each side blamed the other for the initial spark, the sudden escalation of rocket fire was both unexpected and inevitably led to further attacks in both directions. I expressed my grave concerns in a public statement made on 5 May, condemning indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets and calling for restraint by all parties. The EU also issued a statement on the matter on 4 May.
Thankfully the ceasefire was re-established quite quickly, but with lives lost on both sides, including civilians. These events are terrifying for ordinary Israelis and Palestinians, and deeply tragic for the families of those who have lost their lives or been injured. Civilians on both sides deserve better.
Given that the EU position had already been made clear on 4 May, and that the situation has since de-escalated, Ministers did not discuss it at yesterday’s meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council.
The blockade of Gaza, which has gone on for over a decade, is inhumane and a recipe for disaster, and must end. Gaza is always on the verge of an escalation of violence such as we have just witnessed. There have been some reports that the renewed ceasefire may include some tacit agreements to ease the blockade. If true, Ireland would very much welcome such a development.
Departmental Advertising Expenditure
Ceisteanna (109)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:109. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the costs incurred by his Department in respect of advertising in all forms to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21122/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department engages in public awareness advertising where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. Examples of where my Department has advertised during 2019 have included public information campaigns in relation to the Online Passport Renewals Service and on the theme of ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’. Details of such advertising and commercial firms that have assisted in this regard to date are as follows:
Online Passport Renewals Service
In November 2018, my Department expanded the Online Passport Renewal Service to allow for online renewal of children’s passports, a passport card for children and a wider cohort of adults eligible to renew online. This expanded service means that all Irish citizens can now renew their passports online 24/7 from anywhere in the world.
Earlier this year, my Department ran a three-week public information campaign which again highlighted the Online Renewals Service as a fast and secure way for adults and children to renew their passports, including through advertisements on social media platforms and via print and radio channels. The success of this campaign has led to a significant increase in online renewal applications.
The direct costs of advertising to raise public awareness in this regard so far in 2019 are set out in Table 1 below.
‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’
The objective of the Government’s Brexit preparedness public information campaign to date has been to ensure that key audiences are aware of the potential impact of a No Deal Brexit and the mitigation measures that they can take, with the support of Government where appropriate and with particular reference to the gov.ie/Brexit website.
My Department has worked closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and other Government Departments on this information campaign which has been underway since September 2018. Costs incurred so far during 2019 in relation to campaign activities across TV, radio, print, internet and social media platforms are outlined in Table 1 below:
Rugby World Cup 2019 Consular Awareness
The State’s duty of care towards Irish citizens will be the preeminent concern of my Department during the upcoming Rugby World Cup. As the third-largest sporting event in the world, it is estimated that up to 30,000 Irish citizens will travel from Ireland and elsewhere to attend the tournament.
In this context, the initial phase of a public awareness campaign aimed at an audience of rugby fans who are likely to be travelling to the tournament in the autumn was launched in late March. The goal of this campaign has been to reach this core audience with messaging about the Department’s travel advice, as well as information on what measures to take in the event of a consular emergency or crisis while in Japan. This information will remain available and be updated on the dedicated Rugby World Cup page on my Department’s website over the period ahead.
Ireland’s Campaign for Election to the UN Security Council
On July 2nd 2018, the Taoiseach and I publicly launched Ireland’s campaign to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Ireland’s campaign is premised on three themes: Empathy, Partnership and Independence. My Department has since continued to promote public awareness of Ireland’s ongoing campaign through online channels and costs incurred so far in 2019 in this regard are set out in Table 1 below.
St Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is a unique opportunity to engage with the global Irish community and to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas, with levels of publicity and media attention unmatched by the National Day of any other country.
This year’s programme had the largest number of countries ever visited for St. Patrick’s Day. The Taoiseach and I, along with 13 Ministers, 19 Ministers of State, the Attorney General, Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach visited 56 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region. These programmes allowed us to promote trade, investment and tourism with Ireland, to increase visibility in new markets, and to promote our values and our influence in global institutions, notably in support of our campaign to become a member of the United Nations Security Council. It also allowed us to deepen our connections with Irish people and friends of Ireland all over the world.
Team Ireland overseas delivered a total of 1,796 events in support of Ireland’s interest over the 2019 St. Patrick’s Day period in this context. To coincide with and complement these activities, a small amount of expenditure was incurred by my Department in relation to online promotion of an accompanying St. Patrick’s Day video as outlined in Table 1 below.
Global Ireland: Ireland’s Strategy for the US and Canada 2019-2025
‘Global Ireland’ is an all-of-Government programme which aims to double Ireland’s impact in the world by 2025. The programme was launched by the Taoiseach and myself and Ministers Humphreys, Madigan and McEntee in June 2018 and sets out Ireland’s ambitions in relation to how we trade, the bilateral and multilateral partnerships that we seek to build and our wider contribution to the world.
Global Ireland: Ireland's Strategy for the US and Canada 2019–2025 is Ireland's first whole-of-Government strategy for the US and Canada. Its aim is for Ireland to build strong, strategic political partnerships with the US and Canada and assume a lead role in building stronger transatlantic relations.
To coincide with the programme of St. Patrick’s Day-related activities held there earlier this year, a small amount of expenditure was incurred by my Department in relation to the online promotion of a video that outlined the Strategy’s key objectives insofar as the US is concerned.
Other Projects
My Department has also engaged in public information advertising via print and social media channels to build awareness of certain other initiatives and projects that relate to Ireland’s foreign policy priorities and activities. So far in 2019 these have comprised:
- Recruitment of Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Cultural Director
- Promotion of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Irish Aid-supported Simon Cumbers Media Fund
- The launch of Ireland’s new policy for international development, ‘A Better World’, on 28 February.
Details of expenditure in each case are set out in Table 1 below.
Table 1: Public Information and Awareness Advertising Expenditure - 2019 to date
|
Campaign/Theme |
Supplier |
Cost to date in 2019 |
|
Online Passport Renewals |
PHD Media, TBWA, Twitter and Outsource Media |
€301,773.54 |
|
Getting Ireland Brexit Ready |
PHD Media - Irish Times (re 12 April Brexit Supplement) |
€884,386.14 |
|
Rugby World Cup 2019 Consular Awareness |
Outsource Media |
€26,445.00 |
|
UN Security Council Public Information |
PHD Media |
€9,641.17 |
|
St. Patrick Day 2019 |
PHD Media |
€8,579.50 |
|
Global Ireland |
PHD Media |
€5,837.80 |
|
Recruitment of Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade Cultural Director |
Mediavest |
€2,214.42 |
|
Simon Cumbers Media Fund & ‘A Better World’ |
Facebook & Twitter |
€663.25 |
Stamp Duty
Ceisteanna (110)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:110. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if a matter regarding green certificate qualification will be addressed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20455/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that the Stamp Duty exemption for transfers of land to young trained farmers is available where certain conditions are satisfied on the date the land is transferred. One condition is that the young trained farmer must be the holder of a relevant agricultural qualification. A ‘Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farm Administration’ (often referred to as the ‘Green Cert’) is one of the relevant agricultural qualifications.
In situations where a young trained farmer does not hold a relevant agricultural qualification on the date the land is transferred then Stamp Duty must be paid. However, the person may apply for a refund of the amount paid where the qualification is achieved within four years of the date of transfer.
Revenue advises me that Stamp Duty was paid on the transfer of the property in question in December 2018. If the person has the ‘Green Cert’ qualification and meets all other requirements, then he can apply to have the Stamp Duty refunded. The process for claiming a refund is set out on the Revenue website at link: www.revenue.ie/en/property/stamp-duty/claiming-a-stamp-duty-refund/other-stamp-duty-refunds/how-do-you-claim-a-refund.aspx
If the person requires any further advice or assistance in claiming a refund, he should contact Revenue’s Stamp Duty Helpline at 01-738 3646.
Corporation Tax Regime
Ceisteanna (111)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:111. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Finance if Ireland’s corporation tax rate was discussed at the ECOFIN meeting in May 2019. [20548/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) is responsible for EU policy in three main areas: economic policy, taxation issues and the regulation of financial services.
The May ECOFIN meeting is not due to take place until 17th May. However, I can confirm that at the most recent ECOFIN meeting which was held in Bucharest on 5th and 6th of April Ireland's corporation tax rate was not discussed.
Climate Change Policy
Ceisteanna (112)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:112. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the final report by the high level expert group on sustainable finance published by the European Commission in 2018; his views on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20342/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The final report of the high level group was published in January 2018, with the Vice-President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis choosing Dublin as the location in which to provide the European Commission’s first response to the report. I was present when Vice-President Dombrovskis shared that response at the European Financial Forum in Dublin Castle on 31 January 2018.
From the perspective of both EU level and Ireland’s individual decarbonisation targets, the attainment of emission reduction obligations under the EU 2030 framework will require considerable levels of sustainable investment. As the scale of the investment is beyond what can be facilitated through public sector funding, the mobilisation and reorientation of private capital flows towards sustainable development will be vital. In that regard, the vision informed by the high level report as set out in the Commission’s Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth, to embed sustainability throughout Europe’s financial system and provide transparency to market participants and investors is a welcome development.
To take forward the vision outlined the Action Plan, in May 2018 the Commission brought forward a package of legislative proposals to implement several key actions as contained in its Action Plan. The proposals which are still being progressed at EU level, and on which Ireland has being engaging constructively include:
1) A proposal for a regulation to establish a unified classification framework ('taxonomy'), to determine what can be considered an environmentally sustainable economic activity;
2) A proposal for a regulation on disclosures relating to sustainable investments and sustainability risks and amending Directive (EU) 2016/2341 and;
3) A proposal relating to the creation of EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks
The latter two proposals have been approved by the European Parliament, while the taxonomy proposal is currently being progressed at Working Party level.
As Deputies will be aware, Sustainable Finance is also an area which the Irish Government has been active. Sustainable finance is one of three cross-cutting priorities in the Government’s new strategy for the international financial services sector, Ireland for Finance, which the Government published in April. It is cross-cutting because it will be embedded in the actions undertaken across the four central pillars of the strategy, namely operating environment; technology and innovation; talent; and communications and promotion. This builds on and enhances work completed under the previous strategy, IFS2020. I would highlight that both include actions targeted at realising the ambition set out in the Commission’s Action Plan, as well the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Tracker Mortgage Examination
Ceisteanna (113)
Michael McGrath
Ceist:113. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the steps which will be taken with regard to the fines received by the Central Bank in relation to the tracker mortgage scandal; if the fines will be directed to anything in particular; if they will be directed to the Exchequer by way of the Central Bank surplus at the end of the year; if discussions have taken place with the Central Bank in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20343/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since 2013, the Central Bank’s practice is to remit the value of all monetary penalties in full to the Exchequer and, thereby, ultimately to the citizens of the Irish State. The treatment of fines related to the Tracker Mortgage Examination will be remitted to the Exchequer in full in the same way.
This practices arises from when, in 2012, the Central Bank consulted on the treatment of income resulting from monetary penalties, in its public consultation [CP61] "Consultation on Impact Based Levies and Other Levy Related Matters". The consultation paper, submissions and feedback statement are available at the following link: https://www.centralbank.ie/publication/consultation-papers/consultation-paper-detail/cp61-consultation-on-impact-based-levies-and-other-levy-related-matters
VAT Exemptions
Ceisteanna (114)
John McGuinness
Ceist:114. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Finance if he will exempt the drug Pembro from VAT in cases in which persons are raising public donations to purchase the drug until such time as the HSE gives approval to patients that require the drug. [20411/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT law, with which Irish VAT law must comply. In accordance with Irish VAT legislation, oral medicines (for human consumption), licensed/authorised by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, are liable to VAT at the zero rate. However, non-oral medicines (products such as injections and infusions) are liable to VAT at the standard rate, currently 23%, and there is no discretion under the EU VAT Directive, to exempt these products from VAT. As the medicine in question is not an oral medicine (for human consumption), the standard rate of VAT applies.
Vehicle Registration
Ceisteanna (115)
Kevin O'Keeffe
Ceist:115. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Finance if he will review the VRT rate on the importation of motorhomes with an EU category of M1, M2 or M3 and an EU bodywork code of SA as defined in EU/678/2011 in view of the fact that such rates are much higher here and not in parallel with other EU countries. [20423/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by Revenue that special purpose vehicles with EU category M and an SA body code (motor homes) are classified, for Vehicle Registration Tax purposes, as category B vehicles and liable at the concessionary 13.3% rate of VRT.
Article 110 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union provides that Member States cannot levy taxes that discriminate against imported goods or provide unfair protection to domestic goods. Over the years, the European Court of Justice, in a number of opinions and rulings, has stated that the charging of a tax such as VRT is within the competence of a Member State provided that it does not breach Article 110 of the TFEU. In this context, there is no obligation on a Member State to ensure that a rate of tax is parallel with that applied in other Member States. This includes Member States such as the Netherlands, where the registration tax rate for motorhomes is much higher.
I am satisfied that a concessionary rate of VRT is appropriate to motor homes and I have no plans to reduce the current concessionary rate.
VAT Rate Application
Ceisteanna (116)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:116. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether a correction to the record of Dáil Éireann is required regarding his replies on the issue of the historic treatment of food and food supplements for the purposes of VAT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20446/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that no correction is required to the record of Dáil Éireann in relation to the VAT treatment of food supplements.
VAT legislation does not apply the zero rate of VAT to food supplements but shortly after the introduction of VAT Revenue applied a concessionary zero rating to certain vitamin, mineral and fish oil products. As the market developed over the years this treatment resulted in the zero rating by Revenue of further similar products, including products other than vitamins, minerals and fish oils, and these rulings were published in Revenue’s VAT rates database. The evolution of the scope of the concessionary treatment of certain types of food supplements was well understood by the industry and by agents representing clients in the food supplements sector. The scope had broadened progressively over time to the point that it had become increasingly difficult to maintain an effective distinction between food supplements that could benefit from the zero rate and those that were standard rated.
After undertaking a comprehensive review of the VAT treatment of food supplements, including commissioning an expert report on the definition of food for the purposes of the VAT Consolidation Act, Revenue issued new guidance in December 2018 which removed the concessionary zero rating of various food supplement products with effect from 1 March 2019.
Following representation from Deputies and from the industry I wrote to Revenue outlining my plans to examine the policy and legislative options for the taxation of food supplement products in the context of Budget 2020, including the opening of a public consultation. Revenue decided to extend the date of the removal of the zero rating from March to November 2019, to allow for the enactment of any potential legislative changes in the context of Budget 2020.
The consultation process concerning the taxation of food supplement products has been launched and is available on my Department’s website here - https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/019b82-consultation-on-the-vat-treatment-of-food-supplement-products/. This consultation will help identify potential policy options in relation to VAT on food supplements. Input is being sought from a wide range of interested parties, including from health and nutrition experts, to ensure that any policy options brought forward are evidence based. I will separately consult with my colleague the Minister for Health in this regard.