Results 4,361-4,380 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: -----when they stood before the electorate in 2007? They are now telling us they knew it all. They proposed a tax package of €3.4 billion and expenditure of €500 million on abolishing stamp duty for first-time buyers. There is no mention of the banks-----

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: -----and no mention of regulation. They say they had all the answers and that it would never have happened under them.

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: What am I missing?

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: Where has it all gone wrong?

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: As I said, I recognise and acknowledge what should be the role of the Opposition.

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: It is to hold the Government to account, provide constructive criticism, offer alternatives and initiate debate in order for the public to get better legislation. When I and my colleague, Deputy McGrath, initiated this debate by putting forward this motion, there was a rush from the Fine Gael backbenches to tell us how it all went wrong, and they dare not check their own manifesto from 2007,...

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: Exactly.

Housing Affordability: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: I join with other speakers who spoke about the affordability package introduced by the Governor of the Central Bank this week. Like many others, we made a submission on that. We would like to acknowledge the climb-down on the 20% deposit requirement for first-time buyers but we were very disappointed that those who find themselves in a first home which has met their needs in the short term...

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Residential Tenancies Board (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: 11. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the annual budget and total number of personnel employed by the Private Residential Tenancies Board in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3440/15]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Private Rented Accommodation Costs and Controls (28 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: 36. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for the future regulation of the private rented sector here; the timeframe for any legislative changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3439/15]

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: Yesterday, I received information under a freedom of information request from the Department of Social Protection, as did RTE. It was very revealing by virtue of the fact that it was written by a civil servant. It was sent by the Secretary General of that Department to the Secretary General of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It did not contain much of the Government spin...

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: It is more accurate to say I have a minute to ask the question again.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: The Standing Orders should be revised to accommodate the holder of the office.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: The Government came forward with a set of proposals to allay a political timebomb and thought it had been detonated safely. This issue has been dumped by the Tánaiste and the Government on her own Department. I will ask her again.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: Excuse me, but the last thing we need is to hear from Deputy Byrne-----

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: The Deputy does not get to speak too often.

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: I again ask the Tánaiste if she was aware that this letter was sent. Did she discuss it with the Secretary General of her Department before it was sent? Will she inform the House how much it costs the Department to administer the conservation grant, as she describes it?

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: It is a licence to turn on a tap for the next four years, by the way. Will she inform the House, as I asked, of the cost for consultants, extra staff, advertising and the payment structure?

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: This is despite the fact that only 60% of those who have been asked to register have done so. That is another problem. Is the Comptroller and Auditor General aware of the extra cost and has he confirmed that it is justified?

Leaders' Questions (29 Jan 2015)

Barry Cowen: We are the representatives of the people and it is the Government's duty to inform this House of what is being spent and how. The Tánaiste has failed to do that and failed to answer my question, as she does weekly. More luck to her. I commend her on that feat; the electorate might not do so.