Results 8,761-8,780 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion. (7 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy was listened to in silence. He should have some manners.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion. (7 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Hear, hear.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion. (7 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Hear, hear.

Appointment of Taoiseach and Nomination of Members of Government: Motion. (7 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are trying to have a debate, lads.

Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State (8 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I wish to announce, for the information of the Dáil: (1) that, having informed the President that Dáil Éireann had approved my nomination of Deputies to be members of the Government, the President, on 7 May 2008, appointed them accordingly; (2) that, on the same date, I nominated Deputy Mary Coughlan to be the Tánaiste and assigned the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to...

Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State (8 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The old arrangement worked exceedingly well.

Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State (8 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Next week.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, and 121 together. A total of 32 staff currently serving out of the authorised core staffing complement of 193 in my Department have applied through the central applications facility to relocate under the decentralisation programme. The breakdown by grade is one principal officer, five assistant principals, three higher executive officers,...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The OECD has not said that. The Deputy did not give a fair reading of the situation. The OECD was not asked to comment on any Government policy, including decentralisation. The report makes the point that the ambitious and voluntary decentralisation programme is challenging and the Government accepts that is the case. There has been significant progress in the programme. To date,...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not specific to the decentralisation programme but general.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the State agency side of the equation, State agency moves in total account for 20% of the total programme. So one fifth of the programme is in the State agency sector. There have been specific industrial relations difficulties in respect of the State agency sector as a result of the case brought by FÁS and the unions in respect of a FÁS directive, which was decided upon by...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The suggestion that the ICT area is in abeyance in FÁS is wrong. FÁS has come up with other solutions to deal with that problem, knowing there was an industrial relations issue regarding the relocation to Birr. The responsibility is with management and COs working with the unions when they can and the terms of engagement can be agreed to move these things along. It is moving more slowly...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of drift. There is a proposal to decentralise and in the meantime, people get on with their work in their current location. In fairness to those staff, for the purposes of trying to bring some clarification to what the organisational arrangements will be, it would be best if there was an engagement between staff and management so that they can scope the issue and try to...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: To be clear, Deputy Gilmore made a point about the OECD report and I refer to the interpretation he places on it. The OECD has not criticised the decentralisation policy nor has it said it is a bad idea. It said that if it is not properly implemented, if it is not carried out in a planned way, there could be the prospect of fragmentation. I wish to be clear from the point of view of our...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in the report, which I acknowledge. The note of caution indicated that a longer-term plan is needed in how the decentralisation programme will affect performance and meet the needs of the public. Such a plan would help to address the challenges decentralisation might present to further modernisation efforts. We are mindful of the impacts that decentralisation could have on delivery...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The validity of the Deputy's comments falls away when he falls into this stereotypical argument, which is not envisaged. It is envisaged that a core ministerial team will remain with the Minister to deal with his parliamentary and ministerial duties in Dublin. That was always the intention. The Deputy asked what was the problem with moving a headquarters. There is no problem moving a...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is asking me to express an opinion on an issue relating to nine public servants out of a total of 3,400 who have moved or who are assigned to move, with whom there is no problem.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is probably the only example the Deputy can quote.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I can quote far more examples of where it is working. The problem I have with some of this debate since it began is that people are talking out of both sides of their mouths. They ask why it has not happened by now and in the meantime they are opposed to it. Do people want civil and public servants to stay or to go? People should take a position and then let us figure out how——

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I want decentralisation to work. I believe in decentralisation.