Press Releases

The following statement was issued today by the Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie Mc Creevy, TD. Commenting on the Returns, the Minister said that "These results highlight the continuing soundness of the public finances recording as they do the largest cash surplus ever, and a General Government Surplus of 1.5% of Gross Domestic Product. The 2000 Budget will deliver substantial improvements in public services this year and the National Development Plan will

STATEMENT OF EXCHEQUER SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) IN THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 1999

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy T.D. met the Chairpersons of ACCBank and TSB Bank today at their request. The Chairpersons advised him that the merger and flotation project has been reviewed by the Boards of the two Banks. They considered the views of the management and staff of the Banks and concluded that a merger-flotation is no longer likely to be successful. Consequently, the Boards of ACCBank and TSB Bank and the non-statutory

Finance Bill 2000 - Preliminary List of Measures. The list contains several measures designed to streamline tax administration in certain areas and reduce the regulatory burden without any significant loss of tax revenue.

The House will be aware that in 1997, the latest Credit Union Act was brought into force. This Act consolidated all previous legislation in relation to the registration and supervision of credit unions with provisions for the expansion of credit union services in the future. This Act will allow credit unions to provide, within a proper regulatory framework, financial

The Government today, 2 February 2000, announced that they have accepted proposals to introduce new legislation that will set up Ordnance Survey Ireland as a separate State body. While for the past 175 years the Ordnance Survey has been responsible for providing maps for the administrative and legislative functions of the State, its role has expanded to providing a wide range of products and services to private commercial and industrial users. The

STATEMENT OF EXCHEQUER SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) IN THE PERIOD ENDED 31 JANUARY 2000

"In addressing the Institute today, I see that I join a very distinguished list of people. I also have the opportunity of addressing the members of an Institute which speaks on behalf of some 800 chairpersons, chief executives and directors across a wide range of companies operating in Ireland.Your invitation suggested that you would like to hear my plans for the Irish economy into the

Charlie McCreevy TD Minister for Finance today announced that the Government has decided that the State Laboratory and the laboratories under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development should be relocated from Abbotstown to Backweston Farm, Co Kildare which is located between Lucan and Celbridge. [Further consideration is to be given to the revised

Finance Bill 2000 - Setting the Agenda for the New Millennium. Implementation of Budget Measures. Charlie McCreevy TD, Minister for Finance, announced the publication today, 10 February 2000, of the Finance Bill 2000.

Finance Bill 2000 - List of Measures

Preliminary list of measures for Finance Bill 2000

Preliminary list of measures for Finance Bill 2002

I move on behalf of the Government that the motion be amended as follows: -"To delete all the words after Dáil Éireann and to substitute the following: -- supports the Government's policy of exempting the income of credit unions from Corporation Tax.- endorses the tax treatment of credit union savings provided for in the Finance Act 1998,- notes that the tax treatment of credit unions has been raised

I have pleasure in putting before this House the first Finance Bill of the century. It is in many ways a noteworthy event, particularly as there has been so much speculation in some quarters as to what the Bill may or may not contain.Budget 2000 The primary purpose of the Finance Bill is to give effect to the Government's Budgetary proposals. The Budget delivered the largest tax package in

The Government has appointed Mr. John Hurley, Secretary General, Public Service Management and Development, in the Department of Finance, to be Secretary General, Department of Finance with effect from 10 March 2000, on the retirement of Mr. Paddy Mullarkey.John Hurley (aged 54) is married with one son and is a native of Mallow Co Cork. He is a Barrister-at-Law and was educated at St Patrick's Academy, Mallow and UCD and Kings

Dáil Éireann - Finance Bill 2000 - Second Stage Speech by Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy TD.

As I speak to you this evening, I find myself in the short pause between the second stage of the Finance Bill, which concluded in the Dáil this week, and the Committee Stage of the Bill, which begins next week. The measures in this year's Bill are not as controversial as some of those proved to be at this stage in last year's Bill. However, given what we have learned about tax evasion since

STATEMENT OF EXCHEQUER SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) IN THE PERIOD ENDED 29 FEBRUARY 2000

"By any standards, Irish economic performance in recent years has been outstanding. Real GNP rose by an average of 7.6% per annum from 1994 to 1999. Business effort, combined with a 30% increase in total employment, made this possible.The results have percolated through society. The unemployment rate has come down to 5%. Real wages and the purchasing power of social security payments have both risen

Speaking today at the IBEC PPP Annual Dinner, Charlie Mc Creevy TD, Minister for Finance thanked the private sector for the interest and commitment in the Public Private Partnership process as initiated by the Government on coming into office. The Minister went on to say that the involvement of IBEC, the Construction Industry Federation, and of other parties such as the Irish Congress of Trade

I am very pleased to be here today to put the Finance Bill, 2000, before the Senate. The Bill gives effect to a very wide range of tax changes that will benefit all taxpayers, reform the tax system, close significant tax loopholes, promote real tax equity and bring a better balance into the application of Capital Acquisitions Tax.I would like to record my appreciation for the informed

Seanad Éireann - Finance Bill 2000 - Second Stage Speech by Minister for Finance Mr Charlie McCreevy. The Bill gives effect to a very wide range of tax changes that will benefit all taxpayers, reform the tax system, close significant tax loopholes, promote real tax equity and bring a better balance into the application of Capital Acquisitions Tax.

"The Government provides for commitments in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness", the Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, TD, announced today on the presentation of the Revised Estimates for Public Services and Public Capital Programme for Year 2000 to Dáil Éireann."The Revised Estimates and Public Capital Programme include the expenditure changes which I announced in the budget and other adjustments to

On the recommendation of the Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, the Government to-day appointed Mr Tom Considine, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Finance to the post of Secretary General (Public Service Management and Development) in the Department of Finance with effect from 28th March 2000. The Government also appointed Mr Considine to be Chairman of the Top Level

Speaking at the launch of the FINANCE DUBLIN IFSC YEARBOOK 2000 today (27/3/2000)Charlie Mc Creevy TD, Minister for Finance said "The IFSC story is one of the best success stories of how Ireland, have climbed out of the doldrums of economic failure by opening up our minds and our doors to a new way of doing business. I don't think anyone would challenge me when I say that

I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this issue. I have already outlined, at some length, the Government's response to the Report of the Public Accounts Committee when I introduced the recent Finance Bill. This debate allows me to recap and elaborate on the important public policy issues raised by the DIRT Inquiry.As the House is aware, on 15

I am glad to be here tonight to talk to your annual delegate conference. Tax Officials are an important group of public servants and we in Government depend on you to implement the tax code. You are one of the main points of contact between the Government and the public and as such play an important role.The subject of tax and in particular tax abuse has been to

I'm pleased to be invited back for the third year in a row to present these prestigious awards. As you are all aware, the Investment Manager of the Year has successfully established itself as the premier accolade within the Irish fund management industry. As Minister for Finance, I welcome the broader role of these awards in: benchmarking investment performance;

END-MARCH EXCHEQUER RETURNS

If evidence were needed to convince us that economies are constantly evolving, the recent performance of the Japanese and Irish economies brings home to us the fact that the economic environment changes over time. For many years, the performance of the Japanese economy was a source of inspiration for many other countries. Nevertheless, Japan experienced a severe recession in 1997 and 1998. Perhaps such a reversal in fortunes

At its meeting today, the Government considered and approved proposals from the Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy T.D. on the issue of funds in dormant accounts in all financial institutions except credit unions. CONSULTATION PROCESS - LEGISLATIONThe Government approved the initiation of a consultative process with the financial services sector on the detailed basis for the operation of the scheme. Such consultations,

The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, today, 18 April 2000, received Government approval to publish the Customs and Excise (Mutual Assistance) Bill, 2000.This Bill will give legal effect in Ireland to two international Conventions (namely the CIS Convention and the Convention on Mutual Assistance and Co-operation between customs Administrations, the latter known informally as the 'Naples II Convention' and three related

The Cash Changeover Plan tells us how we are going to bring euro notes and coins into Ireland, and how we will phase out the Irish pound. The arrival of notes and coins will make the euro tangible for everyone, and it is important that everyone knows how we intend to introduce them.The Government wants everyone to have plenty of time to prepare for € Day. We are pleased

EXCHEQUER STATEMENT STATEMENT OF EXCHEQUER SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) IN THE PERIOD ENDED 30 APRIL 2000

I would like to express my thanks to all concerned and especially to Michael McDonnell, Director of IPD-Ireland for inviting me to address this year's IPD conference.The theme of the conference "the war for talent - attracting and retaining the best" is certainly a provocative one. I suppose that if there is a war out there, the IPD should be seen as a UN Peace Keeping Force and, perhaps, we should

The fundamental basis to all government, whether it be at a national or local level, is trust. Those of us who serve in the three branches of government - the legislature, the executive and the judiciary - hold our positions in trust from the people. For a member of this House, or of any other elected forum, or for a

The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, T.D., today welcomed the publication of a report on Public Private Partnerships by his colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government. The report, entitled "A Policy Framework for Public Private Partnerships", was produced by a consortium of consultants led by PricewaterhouseCoopers, extends to over 600 pages, and deals with a range of issues relevant to PPPs

Firstly may I say that I am happy to be given the opportunity to discuss our current economic performance and this Government's role in it. We have a proud economic record and I hope to outline some of our achievements here today.I also want to talk about the future. This country faces a period of great opportunity unprecedented in our history. We also have problems and concerns, but

STATEMENT OF EXCHEQUER SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) IN THE PERIOD ENDED 31 MAY 2000