Results 2,481-2,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: In fairness to members of the trade union movement, they have made a distinction between the situation in this dispute and the issue of social partnership. Confirming whether we can continue with social partnership depends on several issues which are not germane in this dispute. However, there are certain issues in this matter that the trade unions would like to see resolved satisfactorily....

Leaders' Questions. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: Ultimately, the State winds up subsiding——

Leaders' Questions. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is why the Government has introduced a realistic minimum wage. The Government will do all it can to have this matter resolved on the basis that both sides come together. We must keep in mind that jobs will continue to be at risk for as long as the dispute continues. The need to secure a resolution consistent with the recommendation of the Labour Court is and will continue to be the focus...

Leaders' Questions. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: ——as did those who advocated social partnership in the first place and sought to exercise it while in Government for most of the time since its inception.

Leaders' Questions. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As I pointed out to the Deputy, the Government wants a negotiated settlement to this dispute and asks both sides to use the industrial relations machinery at which the necessary expertise resides to help them resolve the problem. That is the way in which we can resolve this problem. The authority of the Government is behind the institutions of the State which are best placed to assist the...

Leaders' Questions. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I outlined to the Deputy in response to his first series of questions that the Government believes the protection of employment standards to be an important goal of public policy and does not want the practices to which the Deputy alluded revived.

Leaders' Questions. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: We are doing everything. We have provided the means by which, thankfully, an increasing number of people are in gainful employment. With regard to the specific issue that has arisen, the Government has confirmed it wants the matter resolved in a manner consistent with the employment laws and standards which apply in this country and through the industrial relations procedures available to...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 31. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take the debate at 5.30 p.m. The arrangements will be set out in the Order of Business.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimates [Votes 6, 13, 20, 26, 27, 30 and 35]; No. 11, motion re referral of Supplementary Estimates [Votes 6, 13, 20, 26, 27, 30 and 35] to select committee; No. 12, motion re supplementary statement of expenditure for Houses of the Oireachtas; No. 13, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a Council...

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am sure that issue can be resolved when the Bills are brought before the House, or beforehand, by referring the question to the Tánaiste concerning the current status of that post. I will have to revert to the Deputy concerning the specific issue of the Children Act as the details are not available to me at the moment. As regards the person to whom the Deputy referred in his first...

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: No, I am not.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should not worry about titles.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: As usual, the Deputy is a decade behind the curve. On the matter raised, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform simply outlined a number of options that are in the public domain and are under consideration by the Government. He did not indicate any specific decision that would be taken as none will be finalised until I rise from my seat on 7 December.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The roads miscellaneous provisions Bill will not address road safety matters as such but will amend legislation relating to roads, the National Roads Authority and traffic. The heads of the Bill are expected in early 2006.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: No legislation is on the list.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: He is not flying kites. The Driver Testing and Standards Authority Bill 2004 will lead to a specific fully resourced body for driver safety and testing. We have established a traffic corps and provided investment in new and improved roads.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: We introduced penalty points on four offences and are the first ever Government to have a dedicated road safety strategy.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: There are obviously issues around random breath testing, which is being pursued and dealt with by the Departments of Transport and Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: I will reply to the Deputy and ensure that whatever must be complied with is complied with.

Order of Business. (29 Nov 2005)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill have not been agreed. We have arranged for the National Development Finance Agency to take on the extra responsibility of PPPs on a non-statutory basis until such time as statutory provisions are brought on stream. It does not hinder the NDFA in pursuing the policy initiative as announced by the Government.