Also in attendance: Deputy Dan Boyle.

2. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 17^th January were agreed.

Matters arising

2007/009: Email from Senator O’Toole regarding Preserved Retirement Pensions for Civil Servants. It was agreed to defer this item in the absence of Senator O’Toole.

3. Correspondence

2007/0014: Letter from the Minister for Social and Family Affairs regarding the position of farm women in the social insurance system. It was agreed to defer this item in the absence of Senator Phelan.

2007/0015: Letter from the Financial Regulator regarding the way in which the various local authorities administer affordable housing loans and give advice to the borrowers about financial arrangements. Noted.

2007/0016 : Letter from the Minister for Finance relating to an individuals case with the Revenue Commissioners and the Ombudsman. It was agreed that the Committee would revisit this matter at the next meeting.

2007/0017: Letter from the General Secretary of the Department of Finance regarding the inclusion of rent allowances paid to Prison Officers who retired prior to January 1993, being taken into account in the determination of pensions. It was agreed to forward this letter to the Association of Retired Prison Officers, seeking a response in advance f the next meeting.

Statutory Instruments

It was agreed to defer consideration of statutory instruments received until the next meeting.

4. Under-claiming of allowances and reliefs by tax payers — discussion with the Revenue Commissioners

The Committee heard a presentation from the Revenue Commissioners.

A questions and answers session followed.

In attendance were :

Mr. Norman Gillanders (Assistant Secretary)

Mr. Declan Rigney (Principal Officer).

5. Adjournment

There being no further business the Committee adjourned at 14.31 sine die.

_______________

Seán Fleming T.D.,

Chairman

Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

Proceedings of the Joint Committee

Wednesday, 14 February 2007

The Joint Committee met at 3 p.m. in Committee Room 3, a quorum being present.

1. Attendance

The following members attended:

Deputies:Sean Fleming (in the Chair), Catherine Murphy, M.J. Nolan, Ned O’Keeffe and Richard Bruton.

Senators:John Paul Phelan and Mary White.

Apologies were received from Senator Joe O’Toole and Deputy Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin

2. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 24^th January were agreed.

Matters arising

2007/0014: Letter from the Minister for Social and Family Affairs regarding the position of farm women in the social insurance system. The Committee noted the most recent letter from the Minister regarding ongoing discussions with farming organisations on this issue. It was agreed that the Minister be requested to keep the Committee informed of developments on this issue as they occur.

2007/009: Email from Senator O’Toole regarding Preserved Retirement Pensions for Civil Servants. It was agreed to defer this item in the absence of Senator O’Toole.

The Chairman referred to the ongoing matter regarding an individuals case with the Revenue Commissioners and the Ombudsman. It was agreed that the Chairman should write to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste requesting that they examine the matter (draft letter circulated).

3. Correspondence

2007/0020/23: Request from the National Youth Council of Ireland to meet with the Joint Committee. The Committee agreed in principle to meet with the NYCI, and to forward the letter from the NYCI to the Financial Regulator for comment on the issues raised therein.

2007/0021: Invitation to the Joint Committee to meet with House of Commons Treasury Committee on February 28^th 2007 in Leinster House. It was agreed to meet with the delegation at 11a.m. on Wednesday 28^th February.

2007/0023: Letter from an individual regarding a High Court case involving an individual and the Information Commissioner. Noted.

2007/0025/29: Notice and timetable regarding the Committee Stage of the Finance Bill 2007. Noted.

2007/0026: Invitation to attend Conference of Finance Committee Chairpersons of the National Parliaments of the E.U on 30^th April 2007 in Berlin. Noted. Referred to Convenors.

2007/0027: Information relating to the 2^nd National Infrastructure Summit in Croke Park on 13^th & 14^th of March 2007. Noted.

2007/0028: Quarterly Bulletin received from Central Bank and Services Authority of Ireland. Noted.

Other correspondence circulated at meeting:

•Second submission from the Retired Prison officers Association. It was agreed to refer the submission to the Department of Finance for a response.

•Notice re referral of the National Development Finance Agency (Amendment) Bill 2006. Noted for consideration of the Select Committee on Thursday 1 March.

•Letter from the Minister for Finance regarding the Estimates process. Noted.

Statutory Instruments

S.I No. 17 of 2007, Order, Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) Order 2007. Noted.

S.I No. 20 of 2007, Order, Finance Act 2006 (Commencement of Section 36) order 2007. Noted.

S.I No. 27 of 2007 , Regulations, Superannuation (Designation of Approved Organisations) 2007. Noted.

S.I No. 29 of 2007 , Order , Central Bank Act 1971 (Approval of Scheme of National Irish Bank Limited and Danske Bank A/S) Order 2007. Noted.

S.I.s Previously circulated

S.I No.644 of 2006 - Excise Duty on Tobacco Products(Quantitative Restrictions) Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No.556 of 2006 - Central Bank Act 1942 (Financial Services Ombudsman Council) Levies and Fees Regulations 2006. Noted.

S.I No.581 of 2006 - Finance Act 1999 (Commencement of Substituted section 98A) Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No.613 of 2006 - European Communities (Financial Transparency)(Amendment) Regulations 2006. Noted.

S.I No 599. of 2006 - Commission for Public Service Appointments (Additional Function) Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No.600 of 2006 - Commission for Public Service Appointments (Additional Function)(No.2) Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No.601 of 2006 Commission for Public Service Appointments (Additional Function)(No.3) Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No.602 of 2006 - Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment)Act 2004 (additional Function for Licence Holders) Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No.587 of 2006 Valuation Act 2001(Global Valuation)(Apportionment)(Chorus)Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No.588 of 2006 - Valuation Act 2001(Global Valuation)(Apportionment)(RTE)Order 2006. Noted.

S.I No 589 of 2006 - Valuation Act 2001(Global Valuation)(Apportionment)(NTL)Order 2006. Noted.

EU Scrutiny

Letter to the Clerk dated 24^th January 2007. Noted.

COM (2006) 721: Proposal for a council regulation amending financial regulation applicable to the 9^th European development fund. Noted.

COM (2006) 599: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Statistical Governance Advisory Board. Noted.

COM (2006) 653: Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council setting up a European Advisory Committee on Community Statistical Information Policy. Noted.

COM (2006) 687 :. Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Community Statistical Programme 2008 to 2012. Noted.

COM (2006) 760 Recast of council directive 69/355/eec concerning indirect taxes on the raising of capital (companies capital duty). Noted.

4. Under-claiming of allowances and reliefs by tax payers

The Committee had a short discussion on the issues arising from the presentations from the Revenue Commissioners, the Irish Taxation Institute and the Consumer Association of Ireland. It was agreed that a draft report should be prepared on this issue for the consideration of the Committee.

5. Adjournment

There being no further business the Committee adjourned at 3.45p.m. until 11a.m. on Wednesday 28^th February 2007.

_______________

Seán Fleming T.D.,

Chairman

Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

Proceedings of the Joint Committee

Wednesday, 28 February 2007

The Joint Committee met at 11.10 a.m. in Committee Room 4, a quorum being present.

1. Attendance

The following members attended:

Deputies:Sean Fleming (in the Chair), Michael Finneran, Catherine Murphy, Paul McGrath, M.J. Nolan and Ned O’Keeffe.

Senators:Martin Mansergh and Mary White.

Apologies were received from Senator Joe O’Toole and Deputy Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin

2. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 14^th February were agreed.

Matters arising

2007/009: Email from Senator O’Toole regarding Preserved Retirement Pensions for Civil Servants. It was agreed to defer this item in the absence of Senator O’Toole.

3. Correspondence

2007/0030: Acknowledgement from Minister Brennan dated 8/2/07 regarding pensions for farm spouses. Noted .

2007/0031: Acknowledgement from Minister Cowen dated 19/2/07 relating to an individuals case involving Revenue and the Ombudsman. Noted.

2007/0032: Acknowledgement from Minister Cowen dated 22/2/07 relating to pensions payable to retired prison officers. Noted.

2007/0033: Letter from Deputy M.J Nolan dated 16/2/07requesting that the Joint Committee meet with the Irish Charities Tax Reform Group. Noted. The Chairman advised the meeting that he would be meeting the group today.

2007/0034: Response from IFSRA dated 14/2/07 to the Joint Committees 6^th Interim Report on the Policy of the Commercial Banks. It was agreed to defer this item of correspondence until the next meeting.

2007/0035: Letter from an individual dated 21/2/07 regarding the Information Commissioner. Noted.

2007/0036: Letter dated 12/12/06 from Deputy O Snodaigh in relation to Irish Language Day. Referred to the Working Group. of Committee Chairmen.

The Chairman referred to a telephone request from the National Economic and Social Council to appear before the Committee to discuss their latest report on the public service. It was agreed in principle to meet with the NESC, although it was not possible to set a date at this time.

Statutory Instruments

It was agreed to defer consideration of statutory instruments received until the next meeting.

4. Exchange of views with the House of Commons Treasury Committee

The Committee was joined by:

John McFall MP (Chairman)

Michael Fallon MP

Colin Breed MP

Sally Keeble MP

Andrew Love MP

George Mudie MP

David Gauke MP

Peter Viggers MP

John Thurso MP

Colin Lee (Committee staff)

Jon Young Ccommittee staff)

An exchange of views followed.

5. Exchange of views with the Budget Committee of the Parliament of the Czech Republic

The Committee was joined by:

Deputy Michal Doktor (head of delegation)

Deputy Petr Cervenka

Deputy Daniel Rovan

Deputy Miloslava Vostrá

Mr. Petr Jelínek, Clerk to the Committee

Ms. Lucie Železná, International Department of the Parliament

Ms. Ilona Šprcová, Interpreter

H.E. Mr. Josef Havlas, Ambassador

Mr. Martin Vítek, Counsellor.

An exchange of views followed.

6. Adjournment

There being no further business the Committee adjourned sine die.

_______________

Seán Fleming T.D.,

Chairman

28 March 2007

Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

Proceedings of the Joint Committee

Wednesday, 28 March 2007

The Joint Committee met at 2.25 p.m. in Committee Room 4, a quorum being present.

1. Attendance

The following members attended:

Deputies:Sean Fleming (in the Chair), Richard Bruton, Joan Burton, Michael Finneran, Catherine Murphy, M.J. Nolan, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin, John McGuinness and Ned O’Keeffe.

2. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 28^th February were agreed.

Matters arising

2007/009: Email from Senator O’Toole regarding Preserved Retirement Pensions for Civil Servants. It was agreed to defer this item in the absence of Senator O’Toole.

3. Correspondence

2007/0037: Report from the National Economic Social Forum on “Improving the Delivery of Quality Public Services”. Noted. It was agreed in principle to meet with the NESC, although it was not possible to set a date at this time.

2007/0038: Acknowledgement received from IFSRA regarding correspondence sent relating to the an issue raised by the National Youth Council of Ireland. Noted.

2007/0039: Reply from the Department of Finance relating to pensions payable to retired prison officers. A related letter from the Association of Retired Prison Officers Association was also circulated at the meeting. The Committee noted that there had been no progress on this issue. It was agreed that a delegation from the Committee should meet with the Minister at the earliest opportunity to resolve the matter. The delegation to be nominated by the Convenors.

2007/0040: Email from Deputy Charlie O’Connor regarding a submission from the National Federation of Pensioners’ Association. Noted.

2007/0042: Annual report from the National Lottery. Noted.

2007/0043: Letter from Deputy Ned O’Keeffe dated 6/3/07 requesting that the Joint Committee meet with the Irish Charities Tax Reform Group. Noted.

2007/0043: Letter from Deputy Bruton relating to an investigation by a media company into fraudulent activities at a financial institution. Also circulated at the meeting was a response to this letter from the Financial Regulator. The Committee expressed its dissatisfaction with the response from the Financial Regulator. It was agreed that the IFSRA would be invited to address a future meeting of the Committee for a full discussion on the issue.

2007/0048: Letter submitted by Deputy John McGuiness on behalf of an individual regarding broker fees on a pension scheme. It was agreed that this correspondence should be brought to the attention of the Financial Regulator, in the context of the previous item.

Consideration of remain correspondence was deferred until the next meeting.

Statutory Instruments

It was agreed to defer consideration of statutory instruments received until the next meeting.#

4. Draft Annual Report 2006

Deferred until next meeting.

5. EU Scrutiny - Adoption of Draft Reports and Review of Outstanding Proposals

Deferred until next meeting.

6. AOB

It was agreed that the draft interim report on Under-Claiming of Tax Credits, Allowances and Relief by Taxpayers would be discussed at the next meeting. Members were requested to submit any amendments to the Clerk of the Committee. It was also agreed to forward the draft report to the Irish Taxatiion Institute, Consumers Association of Ireland and the Revenue Commissioners for comment on the factual content of the report.

There being no further business the Committee adjourned at 3.05 until 2pm on Wednesday 4^th April.

_______________

Seán Fleming T.D.

Chairman

28 March 2007

Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service

Proceedings of the Joint Committee

Wednesday, 4 April 2007

The Joint Committee met at 2.11 p.m. in Committee Room 2, a quorum being present.

1. Attendance

The following members attended:

Deputies:Sean Fleming (in the Chair), Richard Bruton, Joan Burton, Michael Finneran, M.J. Nolan, Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin and John McGuinness.

Senators:Mary White

Apologies were received from Senator John Paul Phelan.

2. Minutes of previous meeting

The minutes of the meeting of 28^th March 2007 were agreed.

3. Draft Interim Report on Under-claiming of Tax Credits, Allowances and Relief by Taxpayers.

The draft report was discussed by the Committee. Correspondence from the Revenue Commissioners regarding the draft report was noted. The report, subject to the amendments agreed by the Committee at the meeting, was adopted. The Committee agreed there would be a formal launch of the report on Wednesday 11^th April at 3 p.m. and that the report should be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and also placed on the Oireachtas website.

4. Draft Annual Report 2006

The draft Annual Report 2006 of the Committee, as circulated, was agreed. It was further agree that the report be laid before the Houses.

5. EU Scrutiny - Adoption of Draft Reports and Review of Outstanding Proposals

The following draft EU Scrutiny Reports on EU proposals which had been previously scrutinized by the Committee were agreed.

•Report No. 16: COM(2003)78 - Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EEC) No 218/92 on administrative co-operation in the field of indirect taxation (VAT) as regards additional measures regarding supplies of travel services; COM(2003)335 -Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 77/388/CEE concerning the common system of value added tax, as regards conferment of implementing powers and the procedure for adopting derogations.

•Report No. 15 - COM(2003)371: Amended proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention of money laundering by means of customs cooperation.

•Report No. 13: COM(2005)261 - Proposal for a Council Directive on passenger car related taxes.

•Report No. 14: COM(2005)334 - Amended Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 77/388/EEC as regards the place of supply of services.

The following draft EU Scrutiny Reports were also agreed, on foot of information notes supplied by the Department and noted by the Committee:

•Report No. 23: Com (2004) 509 final - Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on mutual administrative assistance for the protection of the financial interests of the Community against fraud and any other illegal activities;

Com (2006) 473 final - Amended Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on mutual administrative assistance for the protection of the financial interests of the Community against fraud and any other illegal activities.

•Report No. 22: Com (2006) 213 final - Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities. - Proposal for a Council Regulation amending Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.

•Report No. 20: COM (2005) 507 - Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Improving the Portability of Supplementary Pension Rights

•Report No. 21: COM (2006) 202 - Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Community programme to improve the operation of taxation systems in the internal market (Fiscalis 2013).

•Report No. 19: COM (2006) 507 - proposal for a Directive on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the banking, insurance and securities sectors

•Report No. 18: COM (2005) 609 - Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a paperless environment for Customs and Trade

•Report No. 17 COM (2005) 608 - Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the Community Customs Code (Modernised Customs Code)

6. Correspondence

2007/0044: Email from Kevin Leydon regarding a proposal from The European Budgets Committee to reform the “own-resources system”. Noted.

2007/0045: Email from Kevin Leydon regarding the European Commissions proposal for increasing excise duties on gas oil. Noted.

2007/0046: Letter from the Finance Committee of the German Bundestag regarding the “Conference of Finance Committee Chairpersons of the national Parliaments of the EU Member States, the European Parliament and Parliaments of Candidate States”. Noted.

2007/0047: Letter from John McFall M.P, Chairman of the Treasury Committee of the House of Commons thanking the Joint Committee for the invitation to the meeting of 28/2/07. Noted.

2007/0048: Response from IFSRA regarding credit card usage and credit card debt. Noted.

Deferred from previous meetings:

2007/0034: Response from IFSRA dated 14/2/07 to the Joint Committees 6^th Interim Report on the Policy of the Commercial Banks. Noted.

2007/009: Email from Senator O’Toole regarding preserved retirement pensions for Civil Servants. Deferred until the Senator is present.

Statutory Instruments

S.I No. 60 of 2007 European Communities (Markets in Financial Instruments) Regulations 2007 - Transposition of Markets in Financial Instruments Directive. Noted.

S.I No. 110 of 2007 National Treasury Management Agency (State Authorities) order 2007. Noted.

S.I No. 107 of 2007 Credit Union Act 1997(Exemption from Additional Services requirements) Regulations 200. Noted.

S.I No. 108 of 2007 Economic and Monetary Union Act 1998 (Design and Coins) (Amendment) Order 2007. Noted.

S.I No664. of 2006 European Communities (Life Assurance) Framework (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Noted.

S.I No.665 of 2006 European Communities (Non-Life Assurance) Framework (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Noted.

S.I No.661European Communities (Capital Adequacy of Credit Institutions) Regulations 2006 of 2006. Noted.

S.I No.660 of 2006 Communities (Capital Adequacy of Investment Firms) Regulations 2006 of 2006. Noted.

S.I No.677 of 2006 Ethics in Public Office(Designated Positions in Public Bodies) (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Noted.