Results 8,501-8,520 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

EU Regulations: Motion (11 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: On a related issue I note that some weeks ago, when he was asked about the impending European elections and whether or not the UK would take its seats, the Taoiseach said that there could be two counts to provide for either outcome. I am looking for clarification from the Government. If we are to revert to the number of seats we had in the last European Parliament, surely we should revert...

EU Regulations: Motion (11 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: It is not, but it needs to be answered and clarified, especially since the Taoiseach said there could be two counts when questioned. I could not comprehend what he was trying to say.

Vote 42 — Rural and Community Development (Further Revised) (11 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: As we know, these Estimates were discussed before being put before the relevant committees and are now before the House again for its expected approval. I acknowledge that. It is pertinent that this is happening in the week that the PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, report was published. In that context I looked up the mission statement for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, which...

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: The Taoiseach said that was not the original estimate.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: On a point of order, Deputy Enda Kenny-----

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (16 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: Tullamore hospital and Tallaght Hospital.

Civil Liability and Courts (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am happy to speak on this Bill this evening. Contrary to what the Taoiseach has espoused, this Bill forms part of a series of constructive measures put forward by Fianna Fáil to tackle the high insurance costs businesses and individuals are facing throughout the country. We debated a Fianna Fáil motion on business insurance...

Civil Liability and Courts (Amendment) Bill 2019: Second Stage [Private Members] (16 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I thank all those who made a contribution to tonight's debate following our introduction of the Bill. I thank the Minister for Justice and Equality and his colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, for their contributions. I acknowledge their commitment, and that of Sinn Féin and others, to not opposing this Bill. I acknowledge the commitment of the Minister to seek to further...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Consultant Remuneration (16 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: 285. To ask the Minister for Health the cost in the first and full year of restoring the pay disparity between new entrant consultants recruited post 1 October 2012 and those hired prior to 1 October 2012 for hospital consultants to pre-2012 pay levels; the number of consultants hired in the post 1 October 2012 period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17291/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: 1. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the level of engagement his Department will play in developing an implementation plan for the recommendations from a report (details supplied) on the cost overruns on the national children's hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18078/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: Regarding the national children's hospital, we might have had an apology on the part of the Government but we have not definitively had accountability on its part for the debacle that was, and is, the children's hospital. The PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC, report concluded that the definitive business case did not adhere to the public spending code. What can the Minister and his Department...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for his response. I have not seen it in written form yet, and there is much detail contained in it regarding various groups and bodies he has put in place in his efforts to seek to adhere to the likes of the recommendations contained in the report. Focusing on recommendations Nos. 10 and 11, which relate to other capital infrastructure projects, is he convinced now that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Children's Hospital Expenditure (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: Is the Minister satisfied that he, also, in his role, will more robustly challenge, analyse or scrutinise the recommendations that emanate from various groups to these boards? Ultimately, it is his decision as a member of Government to make the recommendation for Government to accept a recommendation that emanates from these boards. They are supposedly at arm's length from political...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: 3. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role his Department is playing in relation to the tendering process for the national broadband plan; if the role of his Department when it comes to the tendering and construction of major capital projects will change in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18079/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: There is great disappointment, dismay, frustration and even anger at the Government's and Fine Gael's collective failure to deliver on the commitment made by the then Deputy and former Minister, Mr. Pat Rabbitte, to deliver broadband to every household in the country at a cost of €500 million. The Taoiseach's mutterings in recent days suggest that will not now be the case. What role...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I think that is quite amazing, unfortunately, especially considering we have spoken about the lessons we expect to learn from the recommendations of the PwC report regarding the national children's hospital. The Minister is, essentially, stating he has no role regarding evaluation or due diligence, apart from the Vote provided funding in a given year. The Minister has stated, however, that...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I ask for a final clarification on the role of the Department of Finance in the delivery of the broadband plan and contract, ultimately to homes. There was a cost-benefit analysis in the first place, which the Minister acknowledged was in the region of €500 million in respect of the Government's contribution. According to the Taoiseach, it now transpires that the level of expenditure...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: That is where we differ.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: That is a line the Government is throwing out there now.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: 6. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the material changes the Office of Government Procurement has undertaken to better enable indigenous small and medium enterprises, SMEs, to apply for public contracts; the amount spent on public contracts in 2018; the proportion of that spend that was to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17985/19]