Results 4,221-4,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: Obviously, I cannot accept the amendment. It is important to point out, as has been mentioned by one speaker, that although we are discussing closing the plenary session of the Dáil, the committee system will continue.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of establishing a committee system was to ensure there was the ability to continue the accountability mechanism that Parliament provides to the Government, as provided for in the Constitution. We should not suggest that this is not the case because it is the case. During this month and in September the House will sit in its respective committee formats and continue the work those...

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: Those of us privileged to be Ministers will continue our work as a Government. This month will see the beginning of an Estimates process, the setting out of a budgetary strategy to be agreed by Government and preparations of budgets for the following year. It is not a question of work ending after today; work will continue in the context of the continuing progress we are making. It is...

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: On behalf of the Taoiseach I join leaders of political parties in wishing you and your staff a restful period ahead and thank you for your co-operation and for discharging your responsibilities so conscientiously during the course of the term. I look forward to everyone coming back in good and robust health, ready for the fray. As one who is, perhaps, less frequently in the bar than many, I...

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of any specific legislation for Wexford in that respect. In regard to the previous Bill, it is ordered for Second Stage.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: In recent years we have established the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority which has a consumer protection remit. Any problems should be referred to that authority where I am sure they will be dealt with competently.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is ordered for Second Stage.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I attended a Cabinet sub-committee yesterday where the matter was completed. Sectoral plans will be provided before the appointed date and will be laid before the Oireachtas for further consideration after that.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: They will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas as required under the legislation. How they will be taken is a matter for the Whips who will decide whether that will be in committee or plenary session. It is a matter of procedure at that stage. They will be taken in whatever format is deemed appropriate.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am saying the provisions of the Disability Act will be complied with in full, the sectoral plans will be prepared and published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas before 31 July, as is required under the legislation.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I do not know. I will ask the line Minister to contact the Deputy's office about the arrangements.

Order of Business. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: They were discussed at Cabinet last week. It is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to make arrangements for how and when they will be published. I will ask his office to contact the Deputy.

Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that legislation has been promised. As the Deputy knows, that industry is regulated by the credit union regulator and an advisory council advises me on these matters as well. We have sought advice from those bodies on what the situation should be. It is not a simple issue, but we will deal with it with due consideration.

Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Competition Authority is in place to deal with all allegations on price fixing.

Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: That Bill will be published within the next few weeks. With regard to the other matter, the question of when or if reports are published is a matter to be decided by the line Minister concerned. There is no requirement for the publication of reports that advise Ministers on Bills being prepared. That particular report has definite market sensitivity in terms of the information available.

Order of Business (Resumed). (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: Of course I have seen it.

Estimates for Public Services 2006. (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I move the following Supplementary Estimate:

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the Back to Work Allowance is administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and the person concerned should make enquiries with that Department as regards qualification for the allowance. The position is that €6,051.99 was the total of the person's tax credits for 2005 and the corresponding figure for 2006 is €6,425.80....

Written Answers — Public Procurement Contracts: Public Procurement Contracts (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Government in mid 2004 decided to reform construction procurement to help achieve greater cost certainty, better value for money and more cost effective delivery of public works projects. My Department, with the assistance of the Government Contracts Committee for Construction (GCCC), specialist legal drafters and external technical expertise, has now developed a suite of Standard Forms...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (6 Jul 2006)

Brian Cowen: My Department's Vote provides for Grants-in-Aid to two non-Governmental bodies, the Institute of Public Administration and the Economic and Social Research Institute. These bodies have been provided with the following funding in the period in question. Year Agency/Organisation Amount € 2004 Economic and Social Research Institute 2,944,000 2005 Economic and Social...