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This is the first report to be made under the provisions of the Bretton Woods Agreements (Amendment) Act, 1999. I welcome the opportunity to present it as being fully in keeping with the trend toward greater openness and transparency in decision-making both on the part of the Irish Administration and the Bretton Woods Institutions themselves. The presentation of this report to

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy, TD, today, 23 August 2000, announced the publication of the annual Economic Review and Outlook, which contains the Department of Finance revised forecasts for the economy for 2000. The forecasts cover the main economic indicators and point to continuing strong growth in the economy.The Minister welcomed the continuation of the strong economic performance of recent years as manifested in the record numbers

The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, announced today that he has received a letter from Mr Hugh O'Flaherty stating that he wished to withdraw his candidature for nomination as Vice-President of the EIB. The Minister has, with regret, accepted this and is advising the EIB accordingly. The Minister said he is disappointed at the decision but he understands why Mr O'Flaherty has taken this course. The Minister wishes Mr

Reporting of government deficits and debt levels and provision of associated data In accordance with the definitions and rules laid down in Council Regulation (EC) No 3605/93, as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 475/2000...

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

The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, today, 6 September 2000, met with the Irish Road Haulage Association to discuss their concerns over fuel prices. The Minister told the Association that he was very conscious of the particular difficulties experienced by their members in the context of increasing diesel costs. He said that he would give full consideration to the proposals they made to him today in the context of the Budget later this

Mr. Charlie McCreevy, T.D., Minister for Finance, today, 5 September 2000, welcomed the publication of the Report of the Steering Group on the Review of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The Committee of Public Accounts (PAC) Sub-Committee on Certain Revenue Matters in its Parliamentary Inquiry into D.I.R.T. First Report (15 December 1999)

Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, Minister for Finance, met with Mr Jim McMahon, President of the League of Credit Unions today on foot of a letter received from the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) concerning the future regulatory regime for the financial sector. The Minister and the President had an exchange of views on the proposed Single Regulatory Authority. They also discussed the general question of the taxation treatment of

Charlie Mc Creevy TD, Minister for Finance, as Ireland's Governor of the European Investment Bank, has today, 12 September 2000, in common accord with the Danish and Greek Governors, formally notified the Bank of the Irish Government's candidate for the vacant position of Vice President and member of the Management Committee.The candidate is Mr

The European Commission raised the question of the imposition of VAT on tolls with the Irish Government in 1987, arguing that toll roads and toll bridges should be subject to VAT. Similar cases were taken against France, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Greece. The European Commission subsequently brought Ireland to the European Court of Justice in October 1997. It proposed that in not subjecting tolls for the use of existing

Speaking at the launch of the Institute of Taxation's range of publications, the Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy TD said: The service offered by the Institute to its members, in terms of commentary and guidance on the tax code, is second to none. As Minister for Finance, I very much appreciate the Institute's important role in making this information available to tax practitioners. TaxationThis Government is a reforming Government in the

The Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy TD, today, 25 September 2000, announced an extension of the deadline for incurring 15 per cent of total project costs in order to avail of the tax relief for the construction/refurbishment of multi-storey car parks outside of Cork and Dublin. Section 42 of the Finance Act 2000 provided that the capital allowances available under the

MINISTER SEEKS WIDER, FASTER AND DEEPER DEBT RELIEF FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Ireland to seek increased development aid Charlie Mc Creevy TD Minister for Finance today (27/9/2000) supported calls for all bilateral creditors to support an immediate moratorium on bilateral debt repayments for the world's heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs), stating that an immediate debt moratorium would free

We are fortunate to be in an economy with an average GNP growth rate of 7.6% annually over the last five years. Our living standards have also risen by almost one-third, a phenomenal achievement. This economic success has raised new issues, some of which I would like to touch upon here.Sales both domestically and internationally have played a major role in

The attached statement of receipts into and issues out of the Exchequer sets out the position for the first three quarters of the year (1 January to 30 September 2000).

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

Minister for Finance, Mr Charlie McCreevy, TD, today met a delegation from the Irish League of Credit Unions "My discussions today with the Irish League of Credit Unions were very constructive and we will be meeting again in the next week or so" said the Minister.

I should say at the outset that I welcome the opportunity to debate these issues. This Government has a proud record of economic achievement. Moreover, we have a coherent strategy to address the economic and social problems that as a nation we now face.As I have stated on a number of occasions, the Government is concerned about price pressures in the economy and

In common with other industrialised countries, Ireland is set to experience a significant ageing of its population over the coming decades. The resulting increased dependency ratio will give rise to serious budgetary issues. In particular, it will put severe strain on the capacity of future Governments to

"Today I would like to talk about the economic background against which the Budget is being prepared- the challenges and opportunities which the budget will seek to address."Recent economic performanceIreland has experienced one of the strongest and most sustained periods of growth in the industrialised world over the last

The Minister for Finance, Mr. Charlie McCreevy T.D., had a further meeting today with the Irish League of Credit Unions. Both parties agreed that these discussions could form the basis of an agreement for new taxation arrangements for the Credit Union movement. The League will be consulting its members over the coming weeks. The Minister said that he hoped that matters can be agreed before the Budget.

I am strongly of the view that the State must have in place a structured and coherent response to claims against the State.The new State Claims Agency will also be proactive in the vital area of risk management and advice.The Agency will adopt a commercial approach to claims management.I would like claimants, existing and prospective, and their

The intention of this statement is to clarify the Government's position in relation to a new programme of decentralisation. The position, quite simply, is that the Government is every bit as committed to the new programme as it was when I first announced it in my Budget statement last December. Despite recent newspaper suggestions to the contrary, the Government has NOT abandoned the new programme of

"The partnership process has been central to the development of the economy in the past decade or so. It allowed us to tackle, on a consensus approach, the problems that confronted us in the late eighties. And this we did successfully. The result is as you all see - a prosperous, developing country with full employment and net immigration. We should

President and distinguished guests of the Dublin Chamber of Commerce I am delighted to speak to you tonight on the occasion of your millennium year Annual Dinner. I would like to acknowledge the presence here tonight of Mr Ross Perot. Mr Perot has had a most distinguished career, not only in the field of enterprise, but also through his contribution to

The Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy T.D., has today, 20th October 2000 published the text of the ICC Bank Bill, 2000. The Bill provides for an increase in the authorised share capital of the Bank. The current limit on Exchequer investment in the Bank is £40m. As a result of the continued growth in the Bank's asset base, the Minister proposes to increase the authorised share capital to £80m. This will enable him to

In my foreword to the Plan I stated its vision was to ensure that Ireland remained competitive in the global international market place and that the fruits of our economic success would be shared more equally at regional level and throughout society. To achieve this vision the Government provided an unprecedented level of resources - over £40 billion - spread across

The Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy T.D., has today, 20th October 2000 published the text of the ICC Bank Bill, 2000. The Bill provides for an increase in the authorised share capital of the Bank.

"Every time I think of the statistics which reflect our rapid economic development over the past few years, they still surprise even me.Our performance has been exceptional, both by international standards, and in terms of our own historical experience.Reasons for Ireland's SuccessGovernment policies have been an important factor. These policies were designed to ensure stable

Charlie McCreevy, TD, Minister for Finance, today announced (26/10/2000) the Government have given approval for the drafting of legislation which would introduce mandatory audits of the allowances paid to Leaders of Parliamentary Parties. Parliamentary Counsel will begin drafting the text of the Bill immediately.These allowances are currently paid to the Leaders in Dail Eireann of the Fianna Fail, Fine Gael,

A Cheann ComhairleI very much welcome this opportunity to address the House on the National Development Plan (NDP) 2000-2006.At the outset I wish to recall for the benefit of the House the key features of the Plan which was launched by the Government last November.In my foreword to the Plan I said that it's vision was "to ensure that Ireland will remain competitive in the

Charlie Mc Creevy TD, Minister for Finance has today (31st October 2000) announced the appointment of Mr Donal Mc Nally, to the position of Second Secretary General, Budget and Economic Division at the Department of Finance. This involves responsibility for overall co-ordination and monitoring of the Budget, tax policy, the Finance Bill, economic policy and

Once again it is a great pleasure for me to be here on the occasion of your annual dinner and I would like to thank the Institute for their kind invitation.I don't intend to dwell tonight on the DIRT saga, which continues to attract attention and which still has to run its course. Obviously we all have lessons to learn from

I am delighted to be invited to the President's Dinner of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants. The service offered by the Institute to its members, in terms of commentary and guidance in auditing practice, is highly valued. The Institute also provides an educational

Charlie McCreevy, T.D. Minister for Finance, announces significant investment in health services..., ....education. ....infrastructure.....and public transport.  16th November 2000 Charlie McCreevy, T.D., Minister for Finance today published the 2001- Abridged Estimates and Summary Public Capital Programme.The Minister announced that he had decided to allocate significant additional resources to priority

I am particularly happy to be invited to participate tonight in what I regard as a celebration of Irish business achievement. These awards represent a rare opportunity to give recognition to companies that have excelled in their field. In the current climate of economic growth, we are becoming increasing at ease with our success.

The Public Service Benchmaking Body today met separately and for the first time with the Public Services Committee of ICTU and Public Service Employers. The Benchmarking Body was established in July and has been asked to report on its examination of public service pay and jobs by end June 2002. It is understood that the Body has used the period between its appointment and today to consider its working methods and procedures and to chart a