Results 4,421-4,440 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The only thing I recall during that period was silence from the Labour Party because——

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I listened in silence to what Opposition Members had to say because it would have shown up the obvious disagreement between the Fine Gael and Labour parties on the issue. The Government is in favour of a strong and independent Aer Lingus. Access to private equity, which has been provided for now, enables the company to proceed with a strategic plan. Ryanair has made a proposal on what it...

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Sorry, the figure has increased to 19% in the past couple of days, which is a long way away from the majority shareholding the company seeks. There are regulatory frameworks to deal with competition and other questions and the Government is preparing to engage fully in rigorous support of the public interest.

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: One should not draw conclusions from the fact that one company wishes to proceed in a certain way because it does not necessarily mean that will happen.

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy obviously does not have a grasp of Stock Exchange rules if he thinks we can go off and talk to the ESOT on this matter. We cannot do so. Perhaps he should read up a bit on the situation.

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The shareholding of the State is 28.3%. A shareholding of 25.1% ensures that another company cannot acquire the 75% threshold required to force delisting. It also means the company's memorandum and articles of association cannot be changed without the State's agreement. Maintaining this level of shareholding was designed, among other things, to frustrate any hostile takeover attempt. Even...

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The economy has been well served by having at least two domestic airlines providing complementary but different services to and from Ireland. It is due to the value of having more than one domestic airline that a two airline policy was developed in the early 1990s by giving Ryanair exclusive rights on certain routes and securing the future of that company. The Government is firmly of the...

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Departments of Transport and Finance are working closely with advisers preparing a case for submission to the European Commission and will also consult the Attorney General.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Joe Higgins is opposed to any private investment in Irish aviation.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Under State ownership Aer Lingus and other companies have suffered job losses, so maintaining State ownership is no guarantee of job security. This strategic plan by the board of Aer Lingus required the sale of shares so it could get access to private equity and leverage for the acquisition of planes and other equipment to develop a long-haul strategy, which can provide greater tourism...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: As Minister for Transport in a Fianna Fáil-Labour coalition in the early 1990s I facilitated investment. The investment helped us out of a crisis but did not provide the full remedy required. It was a one-off State investment and was approved at the time by the European Commission and Commissioner van Miert on that basis. I am aware of the rational investor principle but the issue in...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: ——and whether the commercial principles that apply have brought about the level of investment required and will enable leveraging by the board for further investment in the interests of pursuing further development plans. That was the obvious, common-sense approach and it had broad support in the House, despite the fact that not too many people were discussing it. The approach to which...

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The fact that the Deputy was, with the exception of one other person, alone on this matter when it went before Dublin County Council at the time and was supported by all parties says more about his isolation than mine.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 10a, Sea Pollution (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2003 [Seanad] — instruction to committee; No. 10b, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the agreement between the European Union and the United States of America on the processing and transfer of passenger name record, PNR, data by air carriers to the United States Department of Homeland Security; No....

Order of Business (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Bill will be published early next year. I understand no agreement has been reached as yet on whether there will be a debate on Aer Lingus next week. I take Deputy Kenny's point on Mr. Hurley. He was originally the person dealing with the issue. I would not be up to date on the matter and it was additional information that I gave to the House. If it is the case that he has been...

Order of Business (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: That the debate on troops going to the Lebanon became an issue meant the Bill has been dropped off the schedule for the moment. That does not mean it has been withdrawn.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy can take it up with the Whip. I have just been told by the Chief Whip that because the debate on troops to be sent to Lebanon is being taken today, other work was postponed.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am sure the Chief Whip can confirm that. Incidentally, we expect the Estimates in the next couple of weeks.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed that it is intended to publish the citizens information Bill later this week, probably on Friday. The other issue, which was agreed in principle yesterday by the Government, will be dealt with by officials of my Department. We will work on advice from the Attorney General and publish it as soon as possible.

Order of Business (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The minerals development Bill, I understand, will be published in the middle of next year. I look forward to Deputy Durkan's contribution.