Results 8,401-8,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Employment Rights: Employment Rights (10 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is as follows. Department Legal Fees Compensation Payments Paid Travelling Costs Other Total € Agriculture and Food Nil Nil 1,158 Nil 1,158 Arts, Sport and Tourism Nil 25,000 Nil Nil 25,000 Communication, Marine and Natural Resources Nil 22,000 Nil Nil 22,000 Transport Nil 60,000 Nil Nil 60,000 Justice, Equality and Law Reform Nil 3,000...

Written Answers — Unemployment Levels: Unemployment Levels (10 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of recent upwards pressures on this forecast. As is the norm, the unemployment forecast made at Budget time will be formally reviewed later this year in the Pre-Budget Outlook in the light of more complete data at that time. While I will continue to monitor the position closely over the coming months, I do not propose to re-cast the forecast at this stage.

Written Answers — House Prices: House Prices (10 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: My Department does not compile estimates of the nature requested by the Deputy. Negative equity, as the Deputy is aware, is where the nominal value of the mortgage exceeds the nominal value of the property to which the mortgage relates. A first-time residential property buyer who has obtained a '100% mortgage is the more likely type of mortgage holder to be affected by negative equity as...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 67 together. It is assumed that the thresholds for the proposed new tax bands mentioned by the Deputy would not alter the existing standard rate band structure applying to single and widowed persons, to lone parents and married couples. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year cost to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2008...

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: At Budget time my Department forecast that during 2008 tax revenues would increase by approximately €1.6 billion or 3.5 per cent and that there would be an Exchequer deficit of €4,866 million. Since the early part of this year, some of the international risks identified at Budget time have materialised, specifically in relation to the weaker international economic environment,...

Written Answers — Public Finances: Public Finances (10 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes, I am satisfied with the management of the public finances. As the Deputy is aware our record on the public finances stands for itself. The fundamentals of the Irish economy are strong. For example, General Government debt is estimated at 25 per cent of GDP at the end of 2007, which is one of the lowest levels of public debt in the euro area. When account is taken of the build-up of...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the full year cost to the Exchequer, estimated by reference to 2008 incomes, of reducing the higher rate of income tax from 41% to 40% would be of the order of €268 million. This figure is provisional and subject to revision.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 11, motion re Standing Order 99; and No. 19, the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 11 shall be decided without debate; Private Members' business, which shall be No. 34 — motion re World Trade Organisation, shall take place on the conclusion of No....

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is very important to point out that there are many improvements taking place in the health service. Obviously there are issues but if the Leader of the Opposition's tactic is to come in and talk about a particular case where there is a difficulty and suggest that the sorting out of that difficulty alone is to sort the health service is a rather simplistic and facile approach and analysis....

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The whole purpose of the reforms we are pursuing is to achieve that.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: To deal again with the first matter, the point I am making is that of course one hopes that the management and staff within the health service can accommodate any person who is an emergency case or where there is a particular issue arising. That is a responsibility for the management and staff to work out themselves. The operational responsibility is there. I am simply making the point...

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: If we are going to have order in the House——

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is not in order. If there is any way we can sort out those problems, of course we will seek to sort them out.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: We cannot have a debate on health if Deputies are just going to keep shouting. That does not solve anybody's problems.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is neither intelligent nor rational.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: What has been happening in the last number of years——

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Are we going to have a debate or a shouting match?

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: No.

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will tell Deputies the situation. The reforms have to continue in terms of resolving these problems. On the Mater Hospital——

Order of Business (17 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the Mater Hospital, it took a considerable number of months——