Results 3,361-3,380 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I have stated earlier, both the Government and I have made it clear that participation in the decentralisation programme is voluntary. From the outset guarantees have been provided at Government level that all those employees not wishing to transfer out of Dublin will be facilitated with an alternative public service post in Dublin. This position has not changed. Progress has been possible...

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in reply to a previous priority question, we require the active engagement of both sides to resolve any dispute. The Labour Court did not make a substantive finding in regard to the relocation clause. It stated the consultation clause in the procedures agreement was not adhered to sufficiently by management in the context of the terms or spirit of that agreement. FÁS accepts that...

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The State agency boards understand Government policy and are working to proceed with and implement it, as is the case with Departments of State. The Labour Court suggested that the matter should go back to an appropriate central body but did not specify what body that should be. I believe that my Department, together with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as the responsible...

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Everyone engaging in negotiations will enable us to try to proceed with the matter. We cannot proceed without everyone sitting down around the table. The Deputy will find that when he tries to make coalition arrangements.

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have not ignored the point; I answered it. All State bodies support Government policy. That is the oldest rumour in the book.

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I would never meet the Deputy's high moral standards but I do the best I can.

Decentralisation Programme. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Deputy.

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: On budget day, inflation as measured by the consumer price index was forecast to average 2.7% in 2006. Part of the pick-up in the annual inflation rate in February reflects the rise in interest rates by the European Central Bank. In addition, the price of oil rose throughout most of last year, which had an impact on the annual rate of inflation in February. We have no control over these...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Ó Caoláin is unique.

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: First, it should be noted regarding inflation in health and education that these sectors have relatively small weights in the basket of consumer goods and services and, hence, their impact on overall inflation is relatively low. Second, inflation in health partly reflects increases in GP and dentist fees which are outside the control of Government. Regarding the increases in gas and...

Prevention of Corruption. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, the GRECO initiative, the group of states against corruption, is a body set up under the aegis of the Council of Europe to monitor and evaluate measures against corruption in member states. A recent evaluation recommended that Ireland should introduce guidelines and training for public officials about reporting instances of corruption, or suspicions of corruption,...

Prevention of Corruption. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government has given considerable consideration to the issue. The Deputy will be aware that on 7 March my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, explained our approach in some detail in a speech on the Whistleblowers Protection Bill 1999, which was tabled by Deputy Rabbitte and to which the Deputy referred. The Minister outlined a number of the complex legal issues...

Prevention of Corruption. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I did not make the response the Deputy describes and it is a misrepresentation to suggest I did. I simply made the point that one must consider the need to ensure the relationship between the Civil Service and Government is not compromised or undermined. I also noted that while it is one matter to consider a system designed to deal with wrongdoing or corruption, one also requires a means to...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 76 on 28 February, I wrote to my ministerial colleagues on 20 October last enclosing a copy of my address of the same date to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce and requesting them to ensure their Departments take all the necessary steps to implement the measures set out in my address. My Department issued a circular letter to all Departments on 25...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: The additional matters I referred to with regard to value for money and dealing with ICT contracts arise from the PPARS problems which came to my attention over the course of last summer. I set out general procedures to be put in place by Departments which provide for more vigorous competition for public sector contracts, fixed price lump sum contracts as the norm for construction projects...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have suggested that the performance table should be incorporated in the annual reports to the Department of Finance on the capital envelope investment programme under the statement of strategy and in the format outlined in the circular. It is a matter for sponsoring Departments to assign responsibility. I do not intend to appoint people to every single project and Department but have set...

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: Regardless of the size of a capital project, the allocation of individual responsibility allows such a situation to be monitored. Rather than everyone knowing a bit about everything and nobody being responsible for making decisions consequent to a project becoming more expensive, the allocation of individual responsibility ensures problems similar to those alleged by Deputy Bruton do not arise.

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: That is for Ministers to decide in each case.

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am also a shareholder in the ESB but I do not have a remit with regard to that company.

Fiscal Policy. (30 Mar 2006)

Brian Cowen: My point is that the matter is dealt with by the line Minister with delegated responsibility. Questions arising with regard to CSID are best directed to the Minister of Arts, Sport and Tourism, who can make the full information available. I am answering questions on the general guidelines which I set out in October 2005 rather than on any specific issue.