Results 8,701-8,720 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Budgetary and Fiscal Implications of Climate Change: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: Yes, in the forthcoming budget. It also recommends that the Government make more investment in climate-change actions and that it should lead from the front so to speak. Does Professor FitzGerald believe it is leading from the front when it buys three hybrid buses and 200 diesel ones?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Budgetary and Fiscal Implications of Climate Change: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The ESRI favours incremental increases over a period of time. For example, if it is 80% over the next ten years, it should be 8% per annum. That gives certainty to the budgetary process and gives certainty to the public on the cost implications of them continuing to assist in reducing pollution.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Budgetary and Fiscal Implications of Climate Change: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: It is not really leading from the front when it says it will look at it year-on-year and give the public no indication of what the implications will be over the next to ten to 12 years. That is the point the ESRI made. Professor FitzGerald also made the pertinent point that it is regressive in its present format and that needs to be addressed in putting forward a policy or giving a pathway...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Budgetary and Fiscal Implications of Climate Change: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Chairman. That is all the clarification I wanted. It is very disappointing that there are no costings. We have only come out of a phase whereby we have heard and seen that the children's hospital, within the national development plan, combined with the national broadband plan, add an extra €2.5 billion to the national development plan. We have been told by the Minister...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Budgetary and Fiscal Implications of Climate Change: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The Commission missed it and said the Department was very late to the table.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Budgetary and Fiscal Implications of Climate Change: Discussion (18 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I know that.

Written Answers — Department of Finance: Flood Risk Insurance Cover Provision (19 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: 62. To ask the Minister for Finance the tangible steps his Department has taken to provide flood insurance to those properties located in areas with demountable flood defences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17987/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: 1. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way in which the national broadband plan will be paid for between 2020 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25799/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The total cost of the broadband plan between 2020 and 2043 will now be almost €3 billion. That includes €1.5 billion of additional funding over and above the amount already allocated in the development plan between 2020 and 2027. Of that amount, €782 million will be required between now and 2023. On "Six-One" some weeks ago and in answer to a parliamentary question...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I ask the Minister to clarify the comments he made previously, especially those he made on "Six-One" and subsequently. He said categorically that no project within the national development plan would be cancelled, delayed or impacted by the decision to proceed with the national broadband plan, even though it is to cost an extra €1.5 billion. The Minister says the project will require...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The beauty of the Minister's position is that he is in government and has responsibilities. He has to decide priorities on behalf of this Dáil because he has the majority to do so. Playing games with me about what I would or would not do is not up for discussion here. I need to know what is available in the public finances to deliver a development plan to which this Dáil has...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: My responsibility is to hold the Minister to account.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: When did I say that?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: When did I say that?

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I ask the Minister to correct the record. When did he hear me say anything like that? I respect the commitments made in the development plan. I acknowledge that it can be a success and can bring benefits, especially in the regions.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: I need to know whether the money is there to meet the demands relating to the promises the Minister is making. He is not being straight with the people when he tells them that the money will come from future revenues. He is expecting to have magic money at his disposal.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: As I have stated previously, the Minister is the Freddie Mercury of politics, exercising his kind of magic. It is time he came clean to the public on this issue.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: No, I take exception to the point the Minister is making. He is here because we have the good grace to allow him to be in government and in a position to give stability to this country. He is riding roughshod over us, and it is a mistake he will regret if he keeps going with this answer.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: Money is needed to match it.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan Funding (20 Jun 2019)

Barry Cowen: The Minister has stated that projects in health and other areas will be foregone because of the overspend, but he is not showing the same conscience when it comes to this issue.