Press Releases

Mr Brian Cowen, TD, Minster for Finance, announced today, (13 January 2006), the formal establishment of the Public Service Benchmarking Body as provided for in the second public service agreement under Sustaining Progress (SP) to undertake a fundamental examination of the pay of public service employees vis-à-vis the private sector.

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., today published summary information on the 2006 profiles of net Voted expenditure, tax receipts and debt service expenditure.

Copy of Press Release, list of measures, Explanatory Memo, and Finance Bill attached.

NORTH SOUTH BODIES INFORMATION CODE COMES INTO OPERATION A new Freedom of Information Code of Practice, to facilitate public access to information held by the North/South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Ltd. since their inception in 1999, comes into operation today.each of whom have responsibility for Freedom of

The Revised Estimates reflect the spending totals announced on Budget Day together with some adjustments arising since then across a range of Departments.

Foilsiú na Meastachán Athbhreithnithe le haghaidh Seirbhísí Poiblí 2006 agus an Chláir Chaipitil Phoiblí 2006

The Financial Action Task Force Third Mutual Evaluation Report on Ireland The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) today (1 March) published the main findings of its recent Evaluation of Ireland's measures to combat Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism.

The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen, TD, today (9 March) welcomed the passage of the Finance Bill 2006 through “Report Stage” in Dáil Éireann on Tuesday night.

The Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, today (28 March 2006) presented to Seanad Éireann Finance Bill 2006 which implements the tax changes which he announced in the Budget last December.

Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, welcomes confirmation that GDP rose by 4.7% in 2005.The Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, welcomed today's data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) which shows that GDP rose by 4.7% last year, in line with the estimates produced by his Department on Budget day.

The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen, TD, today indicated that, in view of uncertainties and difficulties of which he had become aware, he plans to review the law as it relates to stamp duty on share transactions which underlie trading in Contracts for Difference based on Irish equities. 

An Coimisinéir TeangaRáiteas an Aire Airgeadais

An Coimisinéir Teanga Annual Report 2005 Statement of Minister for Finance

The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen TD, today announced that the Government had approved proposals for draft legislation which will provide for the amendment and updating of the Asset Covered Securities Act 2001.

The Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, this evening delivered the Annual Business Lecture to the Institute of Certified Public Accountants addressing the topic of “Achieving Value for Money in Public Sector Spending”. The Minister stated that “I see the management and effectiveness of public expenditure as a core part of my job and that he had already received support from Government for a wide range of measures (and am close to finalising others) which will match international best practice.

E107/3/0323 May 2006 Circular 7/2006. Revision of pay of Civil Servants. Application of increases under Section 14.2 of the Mid-Term Review of Part Two of Sustaining Progress.

30 May 2006 Appointment of Secretary General to the Department of Finance.

Minister Cowen welcomes maturity of SSIA accounts (1 June).

Minister Cowen welcomes Exchequer Returns-end May 2006

Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen, TD, today (Tuesday 6 June) announced that he has made Regulations to extend Freedom of Information to a group of more than 130 public bodies.

Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, announces further measures to improve the Value for Money Framework for Public Expenditure, June 2006

Statement by the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, on the death of the former Taoiseach and Leader of Fianna Fáil, Charles J Haughey

Presentation by Minister for Finance to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance and the Public Service on NDP 2007-2013, 14th June, 2006

Report for the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service. Progress on the National Development Plan 2000-2006Department of Finance June, 2006

It has been established by Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) of Atlanta, Georgia, the renowned US research institute, and is supported by IDA Ireland.Minister Cowen said “I'm delighted to be celebrating the

Revenue Commissioners' Study Effective tax rates of top 400 earners: Report for the tax year 2002 The Minister for Finance, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D., announced that he has received from the Revenue Commissioners a report on the effective tax rates of the top 400 earners for the tax year 2002.

Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, Signs Orders to Phase out Tax Incentives The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen T.D., today 26 June, 2006 signed Commencement Orders which give legal effect to the phasing out of a range of property-based tax schemes, as he provided for in his Budget 2006 Statement.

Orduithe á síniú ag an Aire Airgeadais, Brian Ó Comhain, TD, chun Dreasachtaí Cánach a Chéalú ar Bhonn Céimnithe

Scrúdú na gCoimisinéirí IoncaimRátaí cánach na 400 saothróir is airde: Tuarascáil na bliana cánach 2002

Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen, T.D., announces Government approval for draft legislation to establish the Public Private Partnership Centre of Expertise in the National Development Finance Agency

SSIA Pension IncentiveAs the next tranche of SSIA accounts mature today, the Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, took the opportunity to remind savers of the new Pension Incentive scheme which he introduced in the 2006 Finance Act to encourage those on more modest incomes to continue the savings habit and roll over some or all of their SSIA proceeds into an approved pension product.

END-JUNE 2006 EXCHEQUER returns

Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen T.D. announces proposals to implement Social Finance Initiative The Minister for Finance, Mr Brian Cowen TD, today announced that the Government had approved proposals for the implementation of the Social Finance Initiative which he announced in Budget 2006.

FOILSIÚ AN OCHTÚ TUARASCÁIL AR SHAORÁIL FAISNÉISE a d'fhógair an tUasal Tomás Mac Pharthaláin, TD, Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Airgeadais.

Publication of the 8th report on Freedom of Information, September, 2006

More Than Two Million People at Work - A Landmark Achievement for the Irish EconomyThe Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen, TD, has welcomed the fact that there are now over two million people at work in Ireland.

Os Cionn Dhá Mhilliún Duine ar Obair - Éacht Suntasach do Gheilleagar na hÉireann Is ábhar áthais ar fháiltigh an Aire Airgeadais, Brian Ó Comhain, TD, roimhe, go bhfuil os cionn dhá mhilliún duine ar obair in Éirinn anois. Dúirt sé gur éacht suntasach é seo maidir lenár mborradh geilleagrach.

Appointment of Colin Hunt as Special Adviser at the Department of FinanceBrian Cowen T.D., Minister for Finance, today [14th September 2006] announced that the Government has approved the appointment of Colin Hunt as Special Adviser at the Department of Finance.