Donie's Ireland news BLOG update Tuesday

Local Property 2014 Guide to paying your Household Tax

 2014 

There are a number of ways of paying the tax: the date on which you pay will depend on which method you choose

Confused about how to pay next year’s property tax? Well, you’re not the only person.

Despite the fact that more than 1.5 million tax returns were filed this year, people are still scratching their heads about how to go about it next year, and it’s easy to see why.

The payment system involves a myriad of options and different dates which could perplex even the most straight-thinking of us. So what do you need to know?
I haven’t received a letter yet – what do I need to do?
If you paid your tax for 2013 by “phased payment method” – that is by monthly deduction at source from your salary, pension, certain Government payments or by direct debit from your bank account (or indeed if you got a deferral) – then you will not get a letter from Revenue.

Instead, the same payment method will automatically apply for 2014. If you’re happy with this, you don’t need to do anything.

However, if you want to pay in full instead this time around, you can change how you pay by digging out your details from earlier this year and accessing the service online by the deadlines. But you will need to do it yourself: there will be no letter.
What’s this about a November deadline?
Revenue has asked people to notify it how they intend to pay by certain deadlines: November 7th if you do so by letter, or November 27th if you use its online service at revenue.ie.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay the tax by this date, but you do have to make contact with Revenue and inform them of your choice.

Note that the ownership date for 2014 is November 1st, 2013. So, if you own a property on this date you must pay the tax – even if you sell it before the start of 2014.

I want to pay it in one go. How do I do this?
If you paid the tax in a lump-sum this year, you can do so again for 2014. Simply take the log-on details you received in your letter from Revenue and use them to access their online service at revenue.ie.

Remember, if you pay by card – either debit or credit – the payment will be deducted on that date by Revenue, so you could end up paying it some months ahead of when you need to do.

If you want to push it out a little bit, you can do so by paying by cash or debit card/credit card through a provider such as An Post.

You will then have until January 1st, 2014 to pay the tax – a date that is, funnily enough, missing from Revenue’s letter. However, this might be more expensive in the long-run (see below).

You can also pay in full via an electronic debit from your account (described by Revenue as a Single Debit Authority).

This gives you a longer time to pay, as the payment will not be debited until March 21st, 2014.
I can’t afford to pay it all at once. Can I pay it in instalments?
The good news is that it’s easy to spread the repayments over the course of the year. There are three options for doing so.

1) Opt for deduction at source from wages etc – this kicks in from January 1st.

2) Pay by cash through an approved provider such as An Post or shops that have a Payzone service – this must be done by January 1st.

3) Set up a direct debit. Payments will start on January 15th and will continue on the 15th of each month thereafter. So, if your tax comes to €300, you will have to pay €25 a month.

Remember that paying through a provider such as An Post may incur charges. An Post charges a service fee of €1; Omnivend charges 4 per cent of the transaction amount – or €20 on a €500 bill; and Payzone charges €2 on amounts over €100.

Eir-Grid insist underground line is ‘not an option’ for Mayo

  

 EIRGRID HAVE POINTED OUT THE PROPOSED PYLONS TO RUN THROUGH MAYO WON’T BE AS OBTRUSIVE AS OBJECTORS ARE SUGGESTING.

The project manager of the proposed €240 million 440kV electricity line through the county has rejected a plea by elected members of Mayo County Council to install the system underground. Sean Meagher told a special meeting of the council yesterday (Monday) the underground option was not a runner.

He explained: “The reason is not based on costs. The reality is that it is not technically feasible to build an AC underground cable that would satisfy  the needs of the project. It is disingenuous for anybody to suggest otherwise.

“Such a solution would not deliver a transmission system with the security and reliability that Ireland needs to maintain and attract industry.

“It would be high risk, untested and have significant environmental impact, as well as being significantly more expensive. The laws of physics make it an impossible option.

We cannot deliver a system that is untried and untested. The line has to be overhead, but I am keen to come up with the best possible option in that regard. I want the line to be the best one.

Ultimately , An Bord Pleanála will be the final arbiters on the project. That’s the best way. We are 18 months away from lodging our planning application. But our application won’t be submitted until it has the approval of Mayo County Council.

“If people are unhappy with the board’s decision, they can seek a judicial review. But it’simportant to remember that what is proposed will deliver a sustainable, competitive and secure electricity supply to homes, businesses and industries.

“It will connect 650MW of renewable energy to the national grid, deliver a high quality source of power to Mayo and make the region more attractive to inward investors.

Anything less will not be consistent with what investors want.”

In response to a question by Councillor Gerry Coyle, Mr. Meagher said it was not possible to run the new line along the existing 110kV route.

“The old line crosses special areas of conservation. Legislation prevents the new line from doing so,” he added.

‘If my words on depression help one person’ then it will be worth it

SAY’S JOHN MURRAY ABOUT DEPRESSION

 

John Murray radio presenter has spoken of his hope that other sufferers might benefit from his frank admissions about suffering from depression.

Returning to his RTE Radio One Show after six months, the 49-year-old spoke movingly about the “the dread and anxiety” which had kept him off air.

The comments sparked thousands of calls and emails to RTE with the broadcaster widely praised for his honesty.

Admirers tweeted: “How do you do a standing ovation on Twitter?” and, “It can’t have been easy to talk about your depression but you will have saved lives”.

Speaking to the Herald last night, Mr Murray revealed: “If my words help even one person going through a tough time it will have been worth it”. But the father-of-two stressed that having addressed his health problems, he now wants to get on with the show. He added: “I’m relieved and delighted to have that first show over. I want to thank everyone who called in to wish me well but it will be business as usual from tomorrow.”

During his on-air chat, the RTE star talked about how he had been stuck down by the illness last April.

ANXIETY

He said: “One minute I am happily presenting this show and enjoying life.

“The next I am gripped by dread and anxiety with the simplest task proving beyond me. Those with experience know depression doesn’t just drop in and say a quick hello and head for the hills. Or at least my kind didn’t.

“No, it took a fancy to me and decided to take up residence for a few months, and boy did it make its presence felt.” But the former Government press secretary revealed how listeners’ concerns helped him though the dark days.

He added: “I discovered I had in my arsenal a secret weapon, you the listener. I am so grateful to everyone who took the time and trouble to write to me, send me get well soon cards and Mass cards.

Mr Murray also thanked his wife Miriam, and “two great children” Stephen and Katherine, and family.

In a personal message to sufferers, he said: “Everyone is different but I will say don’t be too hard on yourself.

“Finally can I say to anyone who knows someone who is depressed, don’t be afraid to contact them, they might not reply immediately or at all, but boy will they appreciate that someone is thinking of them, I know I did.”

Gardaí uncover mystery teenage girl’s identity ? as an Australian adult in her 20′s

 

An unprecedented worldwide police investigation to identify a mystery girl who turned up dazed and confused in Dublin city centre has been declared a success.

The blonde haired woman, who spoke little English since being found in Dublin city almost a month ago, is believed to be from Australia and in her early 20s.

One line of inquiry being examined is that she was in Ireland to visit relatives and her last known whereabouts was when she left them saying she would travel around the country.

It is understood a relative called to a Garda station in Dublin city today after seeing a photograph issued in the appeal.

A passport is believed to have confirmed her identity.

The girl was found in a distressed state in O’Connell Street on Thursday 10 October at around 4.15pm.

A major investigation was launched into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the young female.

The investigation involved over 2,000 man hours and 100 lines of enquiry, with agencies such as the Missing Person Bureau, Interpol and national immigration authorities providing assistance.

Gardaí examined CCTV footage, contacted social services and homeless shelters, bed and breakfasts, hostels as well as airports and ports.

Fifteen names were provided to investigators as result of these enquiries, but they failed to identify the girl.

Last Friday An Garda Síochána was given High Court approval to circulate a picture of the girl across the world and within hours they were able to identify her.

Investigating officers have revealed they are liaising with police in Australia about the girl’s identity.

In a statement, gardaí said that with the assistance of the public, they are now following a definite line of inquiry.

“(We) will be liaising closely with the Australian Police and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to finalise the matter,” the statement said.

“Gardai wish to sincerely thank the public and the media for their assistance.

“They also wish to inform them that no further assistance is required at this time.”

Cannabis Authority would have to answer to Dáil

 

Legalising cannabis would not be a radical move, Independent TD Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan told the Dáil today.

The Roscommon Deputy has opened a two-day debate on whether the Government should legalise the drug for personal and medical use.

He has tabled his own Bill which would create a new authority to oversee the distribution of the drug in Ireland.

He said the Government should legalise and regulate the drug instead of trying to stop its use.

“Under the Cannabis Regulation Bill 2013, the Cannabis Regulation Authority shall be accountable to Dáil select committees,” he said.

“Compare that to now. Who is John Gilligan accountable to? Who is Nidge out of ‘Love Hate’ responsible to? He’s certainly not responsible to Dáil select committees.”

Climate pioneers see no chance of avoiding dangerous global warming catastrophe 

 

The only three living diplomats who have led the United Nations global warming talks said there’s little chance the next climate treaty will prevent the world from overheating.

The specific goal, to hold temperature increases to 2 degrees Celsius, was endorsed by envoys from 190 nations in 2010. It’s considered the maximum the environment can bear before climate change becomes more dangerous. Delegates to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change meet in Warsaw starting Nov. 11 to work on a treaty that could be agreed to in 2015.

The comments from the current and former executive secretaries to the UNFCCC add to the urgency of the Warsaw talks. Humans already have emitted more than half the greenhouse gases needed to surpass the 2-degree target, a panel of scientists brought together by the UN concluded in September.

The World Bank last year said the planet is on track to warm by 4 degrees this century, a level that would raise the seas, worsen droughts and make storms more violent.

“There is nothing that can be agreed in 2015 that would be consistent with the 2 degrees,” said Yvo de Boer, who was UNFCCC executive secretary in 2009, when attempts to reach a deal at a summit in Copenhagen crumbled with a rift between industrialised and developing nations. “The only way that a 2015 agreement can achieve a 2-degree goal is to shut down the whole global economy.”

Treaty talks: The Warsaw meeting will continue work toward a treaty limiting carbon dioxide emissions in all nations. The aim is to complete the text in 2015 and for targets to take effect in 2020. Even the current diplomat managing the process says success will require further steps beyond the treaty.

“I don’t think even a 2015 agreement is going to all of a sudden overnight result in a 2-degree pathway,” Christiana Figueres, the current UNFCCC executive secretary, told reporters last month in London. “There is no agreement that is a miracle.”

Figueres, 57, who succeeded de Boer, 59, in 2010, said then that she doubted a final agreement on climate change will happen in her lifetime. At the London conference, she said a 2015 treaty must “very visibly and palpably affect the trajectory of emissions,” bringing them to a peak this decade, before declining to zero net emissions after 2050.

The challenge faced by policy makers worldwide is to reverse the rising output of greenhouse gases without hindering economic development.

tonnes of carbon: The UN Environment Program said last year that under existing policies, annual carbon emissions are on pace to reach 58 gigatonnes (58 billion tonnes) in 2020, up from 50 gigatonnes in 2010. More than 50 nations have made pledges that would reduce the 2020 level to 52 gigatonnes. To remain on track to limit warming to 2 degrees, emissions in 2020 can’t exceed 44 gigatonnes, UNEP said.

“The economic realities, the energy security realities, the poverty eradication realities, the access to energy realities are such that the main thing is to get as many countries as possible to make as bold a next step as they can without feeling threatened,” de Boer, now a special adviser on climate change to the accounting firm KPMG LLP, said from Seoul. “By definition a 2015 outcome, even a brilliant one, must be inadequate, and it will lead to severe impacts.”

‘Inertia’ : Those comments reflect “the inertia and the amount of effort it’s taking to get this change,” Samantha Smith, who leads the climate program at the environmental group WWF, said in an interview. “If we’re pinning all of our hopes on an agreement in 2015 that is going to get us under 2 degrees, then we’ve got the wrong approach.”

Some nations are pushing for a lower temperature target. The 44-member Alliance of Small Island States and the 49-country bloc of Least Developed Countries say a 1.5-degree cap is needed to protect low-lying regions from the rising sea levels and more intense storms caused by climate change.

“My hunch is that we won’t be there in 2015, but we’ll hopefully take a big step toward being there,” Michael Zammit Cutajar, the first UNFCCC executive secretary, said in an interview from St. Julian’s, Malta. Some commentaries conclude that humans should aim for 2 degrees and prepare for 4, “which is quite a sensible suggestion,” he said.

Zammit Cutajar, 72, set up the UNFCCC secretariat in 1991, a year before the convention was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit. He was succeeded in 2002 by Joke Waller-Hunter, who died in office in 2005.

Figueres’s view: Figueres said work done outside the formal UNFCCC talks will complement a treaty. Those include bilateral efforts by the U.S. and China, the two largest emitters, to develop carbon capture and storage technology, reduce emissions of the potent global warming gases hydrofluorocarbons and increase the energy- efficiency of buildings and cities.

“An international agreement is by no means the whole answer,” U.S. lead climate envoy Todd Stern said in an Oct. 22 speech at the London climate conference. “The most important drivers of climate action are countries acting at home.”

The falling price of renewable energy may accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels and curb emissions, said former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.

Fossil threashold: “The difference between renewable energy at prices above that of fossil fuels compared to renewable energy at prices below that of fossil fuels is a threshold” similar to the melting point of ice, Gore said Oct. 17 in a phone interview. “Growth in production and deployment is going to accelerate as the price continues to go down.”

To meet the 2-degree target, about two-thirds of proven fossil-fuel reserves must remain in the ground, mostly coal, according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency.

“There is much more carbon underground than the amount which can still be released if dangerous climate change should be avoided,” Ottmar Edenhofer, chief economist at Germany’s Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said in an interview. “The challenge is that we have to provide the right incentives to the users of coal, oil and gas to leave a remarkable amount of these fossil fuels underground.”

Under the IEA’s central forecast, about half of reserves will remain untapped, putting the planet on track to warm by 3.6 degrees, its chief economist, Fatih Birol, said.

“Paris 2015 is perhaps the last chance before we say that the 2-degree target will be almost impossible to reach,” Birol said in a phone interview. “If we have an agreement in Paris we can still theoretically have a chance to change the path.”