BUDGET 2018 – MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
10 October 2017
Introduction The Minister might well have looked to Shakespeare’s plays to provide him with a title for his address today. ‘As You Like It’ would, I guess, be his first choice, a nice romantic tale to please the punters, something, however small, for everyone in the audience. Now that a few hours have passed my … Continue reading BUDGET 2018 – Much Ado About Nothing
SHOWS TAX EVASION REMAINS RIFE. EVERY ANTI EVASION CAMPAIGN BRINGS IN MORE THAN EXPECTED. TAX EVASION IS THEFT. HAS TO BE ZERO TOLERANCE.
18 September 2017
STANDING COMMISSION ON TAXATION NOW NEEDED AFTER COFFEY REPORT
13 September 2017
Following the publication of the Coffey report, Labour spokesperson on Finance Joan Burton has said it showed once again the need to establish a Standing Commission on Taxation tasked with continually monitoring our laws, regulations and enforcement of tax matters. Deputy Burton said: “While I welcome the publication of the Coffey Report on Corporation Tax … Continue reading Standing Commission on Taxation now needed after Coffey Report
SAVE ST CATHERINE’S PARK – FINGAL VOTES
13 September 2017
I am delighted that Mayor Mary McCamley secured the unanimous support of Fingal Councillors to remove this route for a road that would have destroyed St Catherine’s Park and severely harmed the Liffey Valley. In the 1990s I campaigned hard to protect the Liffey Valley and secured the support from then Minister Michael D.Higgins to … Continue reading SAVE ST CATHERINE’S PARK – FINGAL VOTES
TIME THAT IRELAND SAW BENEFIT OF LOWER BORROWING COSTS
7 September 2017
I welcome the announcement today by the Government to repay some of the bailout loans to secure interest savings but cautioned that it was now time that the Irish people saw the benefits from the savings on the national debt. “The Government and the NTMA should always be seeking to lock in lower interest costs on our national … Continue reading Time that Ireland saw benefit of lower borrowing costs
FALL IN STERLING NEEDS ROBUST RESPONSE BEFORE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON BEGINS IN EARNEST
6 September 2017
On foot of the continuing fall in the value of Sterling I have requested the Oireachtas Select Committee on Enterprise to examine what steps can be taken to avoid unnecessary loss of trade for Irish retailers and VAT income for the Exchequer. Mary Butler TD Chair Select Committee on Enterprise Leinster House Dublin 2 September … Continue reading FALL IN STERLING NEEDS ROBUST RESPONSE BEFORE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON BEGINS IN EARNEST
EXCHEQUER RETURNS
5 September 2017
Irish Times September 5th Labour finance spokeswoman Joan Burton said that Exchequer returns figures published by the Government yesterday showed that the Government would have “considerable leeway” to expand public spending. She said the money should be spent on health and housing, rather than tax cuts. “It would be foolish to squander resources on … Continue reading EXCHEQUER RETURNS
GOVERNMENT MUST USE POSITIVE EXCHEQUER RETURNS FOR VITAL NEEDS SUCH AS HOUSING AND HEALTH
5 September 2017
Today’s exchequer figures are the second last returns before the budget in October. As such they indicate an economy that is on track to meet financial and budgetary targets. Today’s returns also foreshadow a large cash influx for the Minister for Finance from the self-employed that will not materialise until November, after the budget. This … Continue reading GOVERNMENT MUST USE POSITIVE EXCHEQUER RETURNS FOR VITAL NEEDS SUCH AS HOUSING AND HEALTH
EXCHEQUER RETURNS MEAN GOVERNMENT SHOULD BOOST CAPITAL SPEND
5 July 2017
This week’s Exchequer Returns indicate that the Government is in a strong position to commit to essential capital expenditure, to make up the clear requirements for additional spending in particular on new and refurbished schools, health infrastructure, and housing. “The Taoiseach, who has constantly referenced income tax cuts as being his preferred option, also needs … Continue reading Exchequer Returns mean Government should boost Capital Spend
REFERENDUM DEBATE NEEDS TO BE RESPECTFUL
5 July 2017
Yesterday I questioned the Taoiseach about when in 2018 will the referendum on the 8th amendment to the constitution be held. As someone who campaigned in various abortion referenda over the past 34 years I am concerned that any debate on the abortion issue is respectful to people on all sides of the debate. … Continue reading REFERENDUM DEBATE NEEDS TO BE RESPECTFUL