Finance

Mr. Boyle: I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to raise a matter of national public interest, namely, that in the light of the most recent list of tax defaulters published by the Revenue Commissioners, the Minister for Finance make a statement to the House on the plans, if any, he has to strengthen legislation on the way in which Members and former Members of this House comply with their tax liabilities.

180. Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance if he will report on the policy on the payment of members of statutory boards in the non-commercial area; the rates of payment; the degree of delegation to line Departments; if the sanction of his Department is required in each case; and the statutory boards which do not make payments to its members. [9074/05]

177. Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Finance the length of time it took for the Office of Public Works to identify a suitable site for a new school development in Ballygarvan, County Cork. [9067/05]

170. Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance if a general embargo is in place on the recruitment of staff other than to fill existing vacancies by local authorities. [8936/05]

163. Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance the amount his Department paid in 2004 for car mileage expenses; the amount paid to cover rail and bus ticket expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8587/05]

161. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance his views on alteration of the tax system to encourage travellers to use eco-friendly modes of travel, that is, the incentivisation of such travel through reduced costs and tax breaks.

159. Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Finance his views on plans for an EU-wide tax on aviation fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8577/05]

Mr. Boyle: "BMW" has always been an unfortunate acronym for the less advantaged part of the country we were forced to designate when Ireland as a whole lost its category 1 status within the European Union. "BMW" is the logo of a very flash motor car which is a status symbol for those most favoured by the Celtic tiger and hardly reflects progress for communities in the Border, midlands and western regions. It is, however, a very apt analogy for what is very much a flashy-car Government that produces sets of documents which often contradict each other.

Mr. Boyle: The Green Party opposes the proposal to impose a guillotine on the Report Stage debate on the Finance Bill. This is the third year in a row that amendments have been introduced to the Finance Bill on Report Stage without having been discussed on any previous Stage. Many amendments will not be debated because they will not be reached. The Report Stage debate is on amendment No. 13 of 61 amendments. We will not make much progress during the hour or so we will have to debate the remaining amendments. The Green Party opposes the guillotine on those grounds.

Mr. Gormley: The Tánaiste said earlier she was not sure if legislation was required to amend section 3 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. When will she be in a position to let the House know if such legislation is required?