Results 7,961-7,980 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The situation is that a tribunal of inquiry was established into planning matters and corruption. An unsubstantiated allegation made by Mr. Gilmartin continues to stand against the Taoiseach——

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——that he obtained moneys in regard to Quarryvale from the developer, Mr. O'Callaghan. No supportive material has been provided for that proposition but Deputy Kenny has decided otherwise.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fact of the matter is that Deputy Kenny has decided as a political tactic to constantly come to this House and prejudge and pre-empt the outcome of that tribunal, not after evidence was given but even in the course of evidence being given. A particular set of circumstances arose in regard to a building trustee account which has been paid back into that account.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The guffaws are also organised.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Shatter only received the confidence of the people recently. They quite rightly rejected him for a while. I have not had that experience myself so I do not have to take any lectures from him.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not have to take any lectures from him. I am pleased to say that rejection took place when Deputy Shatter was health spokesman in opposition to me when I was Minister for Health and Children.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the matter before us, we in this party will not take lectures from Deputy Kenny on the tribunal of inquiry. As I understand it, on a number of occasions the judges of the tribunal of inquiry asked people to desist——

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——from the constant politicising of the inquiry of which Deputy Kenny has been at the head.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Until such time as that ends, Deputy Kenny stands indicted for the tactics he is employing.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I disagree with Deputy Gilmore's suggestion that the Taoiseach, in giving his evidence, has compromised his position to lead this country. The issues under consideration by the tribunal relate to a two-year period after his separation from his wife and the settling of his family affairs. As Deputy Gilmore suggested, he did not have a bank account at that time. There was the question of the...

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will not discuss fees. That is the Taoiseach's position. While this is a painstaking and drawn-out process, the Taoiseach is adamant that this is the position. No material has been provided to the contrary. Deputy Gilmore has consistently been of the view that the tribunal should get on with its business and we should get on with ours. He reiterated that here today and I agree with...

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: During the two years, about which he obsesses, Deputy Kenny's party at headquarters level, not constituency level, was involved in systemic tax evasion, paying under-the-counter payments to its employees, and had to settle six years later, in 2001, with the Revenue Commissioners.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have heard nothing about standards on that matter. The political arena is not the place to judge anybody's guilt or innocence because those words are not the currency of politics.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is why we established the tribunals. The problem with the tribunal is that it has gone on for so long. That is because we do not have sub judice rules and because of the inadequacy of the legislative framework under which they operate, the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act 1921, which people in this House have consistently debated and highlighted in the past ten years. The Taoiseach,...

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Again I do not agree with the Deputy's assertions. He said that the Taoiseach does not enjoy the confidence of this House, but in fact he does.

Leaders' Questions (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The confidence in people who hold elected office in this republic is determined in this House. This is the democratic assembly, as people next to the Deputy often remind me. Deputy Gilmore is making an assertion and that is his view. He was defeated in making that view known in a recent electoral contest, and he was defeated in this House last October. I suspect he would be defeated again...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 6, motion re membership of committee; No. 7, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann for a Council framework decision on combating certain forms and expressions of racism and xenophobia by means of criminal law, back from committee; No. 14, Motor Vehicle (Duties and Licences) Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 2, Student Support Bill 2008 — Order...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government made a decision to approve the Bill for which the referendum is due this year. We have not fixed a date. It will more than likely be published by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the coming week. The normal requirements will then apply for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to contact the Chief Justice for the appointment of a nomination for a...

Order of Business (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is expected to be published next week. The arrangements to set up the referendum commission come into play at a certain time, which I believe occurs once the Bill is initiated in the House. That date is yet to be fixed, but in the meantime the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will, upon publication of the Bill, contact the Chief Justice and seek a nomination...