Results 7,441-7,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: That is the import of what is being said——

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——and it is an unfair reflection because former Deputy, Mr. Smith, is either suitable or he is not and from what I hear this morning he is eminently suitable. It remains with the incumbent Minister for Finance to make the appointment.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: It does.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: To be correct, it is for the Minister for Finance to recommend him for appointment. I have asked the former Deputy, Mr. Smith, if he will be available to take up the position if the resolution is passed and he is available to take up the appointment. I intend putting that resolution to the House and I do not believe it will be necessary to divide the House. Deputy Gilmore may wish to raise...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: As I said, no discourtesy was intended to anybody.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand it was promised and that the Minister made it clear that some legal issues have arisen regarding its publication in respect of certain parties involved. That is my recollection of it. That being the case, they have to be——

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: No. They will be dealt with. There are parties who have certain rights in respect of this matter as well. I am not aware of the detail but these legal issues cannot be ignored, as the Deputy knows well.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand the designated land (housing development) Bill, the heads of which have been approved, is due for publication in early 2008. I suggest that tabling a parliamentary question on the specific detail he is inquiring about would be the best way for the Deputy to proceed.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: A number of Bills will be published before the resumption of the next term and will be taken in the next term. Others require further departmental and Government consideration and they give a general indication that they will be published next year. I cannot be any more specific than that.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Durkan is always hungry for legislation.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: He eats, drinks and sleeps drafting.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Issues to be debated in the House are a matter for the Whips at any time and we try to get agreement on that. These are strategic infrastructures that are required. Deputies talk about the need for improving competitiveness, energy costs and so on and, consistent with dealing with public issues of concern, we wish to proceed with that as soon as possible. I am aware, however, that this...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Plans are afoot to set up a commission to examine local authority boundaries in the context of the subsequent work done at national level by the constituency commission. While it takes away somewhat from being able to come forward with a Green Paper on local authority reform within the period set out in the programme for Government, it is expected the Minister will be able to introduce some...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is a separate issue. I do not wish to contradict that but Deputy Ciarán Lynch raised a separate matter on a Green Paper on local authority structures and reform.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: No, that is not the case. The Deputies can have a discussion on it between themselves as it might help. I always believed the Labour Whip ruled that side of the House with an iron hand.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: My apologies to the Deputy and I will ask the matter be dealt with immediately and that he is informed of the situation.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The ombudsman amendment Bill will be published before the start of the next session. The adoption Bill is due for this session.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: We have given €5.7 billion in agricultural supports.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: These issues are taken up in the Green Paper on pensions which is up for discussion. The possibility of updating pensions legislation to deal with these issues might be more appropriate. We must await what comes back from the Green Paper discussions. Her issue should be part of these discussions.

Estimates for Public Services 2007 (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move the following Supplementary Estimates: