Results 3,521-3,540 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (25 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: In general, my Department uses the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor for legal services. However, my Department has engaged outside legal advisers in circumstances requiring legal advice of a specific and-or specialist nature. The following table shows the amounts paid by my Department in 2004 and 2005 to outside legal advisers. Legal Adviser...

Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (25 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have been informed by the bodies concerned that the following is the position as regards the number of legal advisers and other qualified lawyers employed in a professional capacity by State bodies under the aegis of my Department. Name of the body No. of internal legal advisers National Treasury Management Agency 12 — of which one on National Development Finance Agency work, nine...

Written Answers — Legal Services: Legal Services (25 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: My Department does not have a legal adviser of its own. Legal advice to my Department is provided by the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitor's office. In the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Revenue solicitor predates the foundation of the State and the Revenue Commissioners Order of 1923. Currently, the office has a staff of 14 solicitors, 16 law clerks and...

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: Hear, hear.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is not quite as centralised a system as the Deputy's.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: How is it going, Deputy? The Deputy always comes to his defence.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is the first Labour Party man to propose it. Well done to him.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy always comes to his defence.

Leaders' Questions. (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: We know that the Deputy will be on his own at the back in any case.

Written Answers — Semi-State Bodies: Semi-State Bodies (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have no proposals at present to extend the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 to Coillte.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: In the case of persons suffering from disability, a special provision for relief is available under the Value Added Tax (Refund of Tax)(No. 15) Order 1981. This allows the refund of VAT paid on certain aids, appliances and medical devices which are purchased for the exclusive use of disabled persons suffering a specified degree of disablement. In order to determine whether a particular...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to section 125 of the Finance Act 2006, which contains an enabling provision which will allow the Revenue Commissioners to make regulations, with my consent, requiring financial institutions and State bodies to make an annual return of names and addresses of customers and others resident in the State to whom interest or other profit payments are made and the...

Written Answers — Banking Sector: Banking Sector (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to information held by the Revenue Commissioners. I have been informed by the Revenue Commissioners that individuals' personal information and personal account information is held and processed by the commissioners for the administration of all taxes and duties under their care and management. All processing of personal information by the Revenue Commissioners...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (26 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: A special interdepartmental review group reviewed the operation of the disabled drivers' scheme. The terms of reference of the group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in...

Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 17, Health (Repayment Scheme) Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed; No. 16, Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed; and No. 18, National Sports Campus Development Authority Bill 2006 — Second Stage, resumed. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil, on rising today, shall adjourn until 2.30 p.m. on...

Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: I understand that it is a bank holiday weekend. The suggestion was that the House returns on Wednesday, with the agreement of Members. On the legislative programme, we have a very good legislative programme for the coming session and I hope, with the co-operation of everyone, we will have a good outcome from the debate that will take place.

Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the road traffic Bill, it is our intention to bring forward that legislation this session. It is something that has been sought by the House for some time. It will provide an opportunity for Deputies to discuss road safety and road traffic issues. Regarding the question of driver testing, the Minister is anxious to find an interim arrangement that will enable us to deal with that...

Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am advised that the draft heads are being prepared in the Department, taking into account work done by the Constitutional Review Group, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Constitution and the Chief Justice's committee on judicial ethics. While I do not wish to comment on a specific case, it is also fair to say that there has been a continuing legal challenge and a jurisprudence has...

Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: The point I was making is that considered contributions have been made to the policy formulation process by eminent groups such as the Chief Justice's committee on judicial ethics, the Constitutional Review Group and Oireachtas joint committees. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Constitution, under the chairmanship of Deputy O'Donovan, has been charged with the difficult task of trying to...

Order of Business. (27 Apr 2006)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill, it is often the practice that appointments are made pending statutory powers or amendments being brought before the House. It does not stop these public bodies from effectively discharging their functions and responsibilities. Following calls made in this House for some time we are bringing forward important legislation in this session in regard to...