Results 7,261-7,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: A significant amount of legislation was cleared before the election was called.We have said we will publish the majority of the Bills before the next session. The Whips will decide on the balance of the work for the House in this session but that includes the budget, the Social Welfare Bill, the nursing homes support scheme Bill, the Appropriation Bill and there is the possibility of another...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Minister has several times enunciated the content and political direction of that Bill in the past few months.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have outlined the position on the nursing home Bill and as soon as it is published the arrangements will be made for it to be taken in the House. The issue requires urgent attention. Many families are waiting for it to ensure that a fair deal is available to all. It will not affect people who are now in long-term nursing home care. It will provide arrangements for the future to ensure...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are people who unfortunately have to sell their homes under the existing system.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: We will make sure that situation does not arise. It is the old story here, where everyone says they are talking about reform but continue to talk about the status quo.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: That Bill provides for social housing reforms aimed at improving services and their delivery, including strengthening local authority powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, expanding the path to home ownership for social housing tenants and providing for the rental accommodation scheme. The Bill is due next year and our capital programmes contain a strong commitment to enhance the...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I apologise to Deputy McCormack as I did not hear him.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Ceann Comhairle's suggestion would meet more fruitful results than coming directly to me on this matter.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: This is a matter for the Whips but, to take up Deputy O'Sullivan's point, it is important that this House plays a role in all services, rather than seek to undermine them. It is important to point out that 96,000 people who, unfortunately, have this disease were diagnosed properly and that is 75% more than ten years ago. BreastCheck is being rolled out and many positive things are happening.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The genesis of this strategy was the 1996 cancer care strategy of Deputy Michael Noonan and that is to his credit. As Minister for Health and Children, I brought forward a cardiovascular strategy——

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me make this point. Too often, the impression is left hanging that everything is wrong in the health service. The reality is that there are 5,000 people alive and well today who would have suffered perhaps fatal heart attacks if we had not implemented strategic changes in the area of treatment for heart disease, the other great killer. Major developments...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——does not happen again. Aside from the allocation of additional resources, it is clearly a question of redirecting resources to ensure we get the quality outcomes that all citizens are entitled to expect. If we can construct our debates so that this is the focus of our concern, bearing in mind that we are here to represent ordinary people, not interest groups or people who put forward...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: If we are prepared to do that, we can add to the quality of the debate.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: Too often, however, the narrative is such that it does not add anything and, on occasion, takes away from the dignity of the House in the way that we conduct our debates.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The question of whether to reactivate the alcohol products Bill is under consideration. The drinks industry has taken a voluntary approach and is operating a code of conduct. We are working with the industry to ensure advertising is more responsible.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: People can have their view on these matters. I am bringing to the Deputy's attention the current status of the legislation.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand the immigration, residence and protection Bill will be introduced this session. The Government is anxious to see the nursing home support Bill enacted as quickly as possible.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: The Minister pointed out that, in principle, we are of the view that extending the franchise should form part of prospective future reform of the Seanad. He took the first opportunity yesterday to give that indication in the Seanad. I am sure it will be welcomed by Members on all sides of the House given that it is a long-standing recommendation and one that will reflect the far greater...

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is the very antithesis of elitism to extend voting rights to all third level graduates.

Order of Business (29 Nov 2007)

Brian Cowen: I never thought I would hear a Labour Party Deputy defend the current situation in regard to Seanad seats.