Results 4,521-4,540 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Price Inflation. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The annual rate of consumer price index, CPI, inflation was 4% in September, down from 4.5% in August. However, a better measure of underlying inflation is the EU-comparable measure of inflation, the harmonised index of consumer prices, HICP. The HICP differs from the CPI in coverage. The most notable difference relates to the exclusion of mortgage interest repayments from the EU-related...

Price Inflation. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree that the weightings applied to such services in the overall basket are the drivers. The main drivers for inflation have been international factors such as the European Central Bank's interest rate rises over the past year and the increase in energy prices. The Deputy contends that the Government has been the main driver. If one considers the position between January 1997 and...

Price Inflation. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I do not know the basis on which the Deputy drew up those statistics and would have to examine how he did it before I could give a detailed answer. However, in the context of water charges, for example, water pricing policy now requires direct recovery of all non-domestic water service costs and certain areas reflect the coming on stream of major new schemes. The national non-domestic...

Price Inflation. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am making the point that there is a need for more transparency in all of these matters. In the past there was much cross-subsidisation with regard to cost recovery models and we must deal with that issue.

Price Inflation. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am not talking about introducing them. Waste management costs reflect the polluter pays principle, higher environmental standards, the need for additional infrastructure and the fact that we must get a full cost recovery method for both public and private services. Public services have recovery costs of just 80% of private services recovery. Therefore, there is still some way to go.

Drug Seizures. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The customs service of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners has primary responsibility for the prevention, detection, interception and seizure of controlled drugs at importation. It has particular responsibility for implementing import controls at points of entry to the State, specifically at ports and airports, including licensed airfields, and on the land frontier. The control of...

Drug Seizures. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: A review is being undertaken by the Revenue Commissioners and it will include an examination of all the risks attached to the operation of and procedures attaching to aerodromes. The control of licensed aerodromes which do not have a permanent customs presence is carried out by dedicated anti-smuggling teams which focus on the smuggling of prohibited goods, including drugs and fiscal...

Drug Seizures. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: We must recognise that this seizure was carried out on the basis of intelligence through the various networks and agencies that co-ordinate actions in this area. I do not think one should draw a conclusion that the flights that pass through our aerodromes are all drug laden. That is not a fair reflection.

Drug Seizures. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I do not think it is a fair reflection on the professionalism of the staff or the confidence we should place in the ability of Customs and Excise staff to do their jobs. They have indicated that best international practice in regard to these sort of facilities is put in place. All the evidence from Customs and Excise administrations worldwide indicates that the most effective means of...

Motor Fuels. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I have no proposals to extend the use of green diesel to hauliers. Green diesel, also known as marked gas oil, MGO, is a reduced-rate diesel containing a dye and a chemical marker. It is primarily used in the agricultural sector, for example, in farm tractors and certain vehicles used for the most part by the agricultural sector, and also by construction machinery and vehicles designed for...

Motor Fuels. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Excise is charged on petrol and diesel at 44 cent and 36 cent per litre, respectively. Excise rates in the EU are subject to minimum rates under the EU energy tax directive. Irish rates are around the EU average and are considerably lower than many of our trading partners, particularly the UK. While rates could be potentially reduced to the basic EU minima, I remind the Deputy that EU...

Motor Fuels. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is a moot point as to whether we should put in place some incentive just so that certain rogue operators will see that it makes sense to abide by the law. I am inclined to favour an approach which ensures there is greater compliance in the sector generally. I pay tribute to those licensed hauliers who are abiding by the law and dealing with very competitive issues. The best way forward...

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: On 11 June, I announced a revamping of the expenditure review initiative, ERI, which has been retitled value for money and policy reviews and has a broader coverage. For the period 2006 to 2008, the revamped framework will encompass formal reviews already agreed to be carried out under the ERI as well as all other policy reviews conducted and commissioned by the Departments which impact on...

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The total amount covered by the reviews is in the order of €6.25 billion during the period concerned. When we introduced expenditure review initiatives previously, we found that one does not get the reports needed if one tries to cover every area of expenditure and assess the situation. I have indicated that the roll-over reviews that were not done on time will be done in the initial phase...

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is not mindless.

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: It is an accurate representation of the reviews under——

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I apologise.

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: We are undertaking the most significant reforms of the health service in 30 years.

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: No. It has been suggested that one requires the expenditure review initiative to be the anticipatory reforms with which one would proceed. As the Deputy knows, we are carrying out considerable reforms in the health service.

Fiscal Policy. (18 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: We are getting improved outputs in the health service despite the Deputy's efforts to suggest that we are not. Were that the case, it would be a damning indictment of the thousands of people who work in the——