Results 9,281-9,300 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy can be assured that I am well aware of many of the issues raised. All members of my parliamentary party were out canvassing.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am well aware there were a number of issues raised, some of which were not germane while others were. I assure the House that all members of my parliamentary party are aware of the issues. I do not have any issue with the result; the issue is where we go from here. I do not have a problem with having statements or a debate tomorrow before I go to Brussels. I would have thought it better...

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: We may be able to facilitate some questions tonight because we wish to complete this matter this evening rather than continuing tomorrow. We are already rearranging tomorrow's business in order to facilitate another request from the Deputy, subject to the Whips organising the order.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: If the Dublin Transport Authority Bill were to finish quickly we would have plenty of time. I ask the Deputy to take it in good faith that we will try to facilitate some extra time. I will undertake not to subtract any time.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Given that discussions are still ongoing, I do not think it will be taken before the summer recess. This is my honest assessment. It may well be published during July and it must first come to Government.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am unable to indicate at this point when the civil partnership Bill will be introduced. This does not relate to the entitlement to same-sex marriage as it is a civil partnership Bill. It will be introduced before the summer recess.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The legislation is for later this year.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I cannot be specific in terms of detail of the legislation but it may well be that we are awaiting EU approval. I do not know. That is sometimes the case where an EU issue is involved. I will have the matter checked out and revert to the Deputy.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: As regards the previous matter, I do not know whether the Chemicals Bill will incorporate the problem to which the Deputy referred. That was due to be taken on Thursday, but in view of the fact that we are talking about amending the Order of Business for tomorrow——

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——it may well be that Rentokil will reach Wicklow before that.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not so sure it was promised. The Deputy will be aware that we are concentrating on using Government time for the purpose of getting through legislation, to which the Opposition will want to give sufficient time as well, in the remainder of the term that is available to us. It is open to Deputies to raise matters of sufficient priority in Private Members' time.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy knows, there have been meetings between the federation and Ministers, which were quite lengthy and comprehensive. It is an EU-wide problem that has to be dealt with next at the EU Council of Ministers' meeting. In the aftermath of that meeting, it might be better for the Deputy to consider whether Private Members' time would be a sufficient priority.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Government time is being used up.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Of course not, and there are opportunities and mechanisms available to the Deputy to ensure that he can raise the matter.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am just indicating that at the moment Government time is employed in trying to proceed with the legislative programme.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The matter can continue to be discussed with the Whips if possible, but I cannot move away from the legislative responsibilities.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Later this year.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not know if any time has been decided for this, but I do not think it has. The first thing for us to do is to study the report very carefully——

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and see what debate is required thereafter.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is hoped to publish that legislation before the end of this term.