Results 9,301-9,320 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is hoped to publish the electoral amendment Bill in this session. As I understand it, the only one that is promised is the property service regulatory authority Bill. I do not know if the other one has been promised. Is the Deputy talking about the management company Bill?

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have no dates for those Bills yet.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for the covert surveillance Bill. As regards the pharmacy (No. 2) Bill, the main enactment of pharmacy legislation was last year — the first in 120 years. The pharmacy (No. 2) Bill deals with other issues, which are not quite as important, although I am sure they are important in themselves. We have no date for that legislation at the moment.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: We need legislation. We cannot do anything without a legal basis.

Written Answers — Regulatory Impact Analysis: Regulatory Impact Analysis (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and 153 together. Since the introduction of RIA in June 2005, a Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) has been carried out on two occasions by my Department. The first RIA was conducted on the Statute Law Revision Act 2007. The second RIA was conducted in relation to the next phase of the Statute Law Revision Programme, i.e. on the Statute Law Revision Bill...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The following Bodies are under the aegis of my Department: National Economic and Social Development Office, which incorporates the National Economic and Social Council, the National Economic and Social Forum and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance. The following offices operate independently but are funded from my Department's Vote: National Forum On Europe; and Ireland...

Written Answers — Social Partnership: Social Partnership (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Social partnership is a responsive and continually evolving process, an important aspect of which is ensuring wide and appropriate involvement. All applications for social partner status are considered in that context and against long-established criteria, i.e. that the organisations: must be national and representative in nature; have the capacity to meet the demands and obligations that...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The following table details the total amount of prompt payment interest paid by my Department in the last 5 years and the top three beneficiaries in each year. Year Total Interest Paid Highest three beneficiaries each year Total Amount received by each Supplier â'¬ â'¬ 2003 2,658 Eircom 777 Fegans Cash and Carry 164 Sirsi 160 2004 10,160 Club Travel 1,105 Dell Computers...

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 to 158, inclusive, together. The following advertising campaigns have been implemented by my Department or the Boards, State Bodies or Agencies under its aegis for each of the years 2005, 2006, 2007, to date in 2008 and where available, anticipated cost to end 2008. Department of the Taoiseach Official Languages Act 2003 On 18 April, 2008, my Department...

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The OECD Review of the Irish Public Service, which I launched on 28 April, is an authoritative assessment of the Irish Public Service which confirms the many strengths of the system and identifies challenges which need to be addressed. The OECD's Report, "Towards an Integrated Public Service" makes a broad range of interlinked recommendations which are interdependent and need to be examined...

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The OECD Review of the Irish Public Service "Towards an Integrated Public Service",which I launched in April 2008, marks an important step in the ongoing modernisation of the Irish Public Service. This Report is the culmination of over 16 months of extensive consultation and analysis by the OECD and makes a number of recommendations as to the future direction of public service reform. Last...

Written Answers — Public Service Reform: Public Service Reform (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The OECD Review of the Irish Public Service confirms the many strengths of the Irish Public Service and identifies challenges which need to be addressed. This Review contains a wide range of recommendations which are interlinked and which will need to be considered as an overall comprehensive package for the renewal of the Public Service. As part of their assessment, the OECD examined the...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that there are no proposals to decentralise my Department or any of the bodies under its aegis and accordingly the information sought regarding costs for the provision of new office accommodation as part of the decentralisation programme does not apply to my Department.

Written Answers — Public Relations Contracts: Public Relations Contracts (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: There was a total of €6,000 of expenditure by the Taskforce on Active Citizenship in relation to the launch of its Report on Active Citizenship in March 2007. A public relations consultant was engaged to work on the media requirements of the public consultation phases. In view of the response to the public consultation, which received over 1,000 submissions, I consider this good value for...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: As for the management of the economy, the Government is focused on maintaining budgetary discipline. As I have said a number of times, the leader of the Opposition's critique is contradictory. On the one hand, he asserts the Government is not spending enough on services while on the other hand, he complains on a constant level——

Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: His problem is that he does not have a policy. The Government will seek to maintain its budgetary parameters during the course of the year.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Obviously the reduction in growth in the economy requires the Government to take account of the fact that its tax revenues will not be as buoyant as was otherwise hoped.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The downside scenario and risks that were outlined in the Budget Statement have materialised in practically all cases. Ireland is not immune from those international developments. The Government will seek to ensure that it works within the budgetary parameters it has set itself, which will involve budgetary discipline. The Leader of the Opposition will have to make a choice as to whether...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I would once again like to speak to the Deputy about his overall budgetary position. The Deputy next to him claims that I spent too much money last year and this year. Now Deputy Kenny is claiming that we are not spending enough, so he must figure out where his party stands on this issue.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is another untruth.