Results 9,401-9,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It will be published after the Dublin Transport Authority Bill has been passed.

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Every effort will be made to accommodate as many Deputies as possible on Second Stage. Time will be available this evening, tomorrow and Thursday. Everyone will have ample opportunity to give his or her basic opinions.

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The issue was dealt with by way of regulation.

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is no need for such a Bill.

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am always anxious to accommodate Deputy McHugh. The Bill will be published later this year.

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: We do not have a publication date for the public health Bill.

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I must check with the Minister, as I do not know.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Obviously I do not know the specifics set out by Deputy Kenny. If FÁS has a budget of €900 million and its advertising budget is 1% of that, €9 million, obviously one wants to get value for money from it. FÁS is involved in the important work of reskilling and bringing opportunities to the public's attention, particularly to those who are not in the workforce and who are socially...

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: First, if there is a Garda inquiry, there should not be any political involvement whatever on the matter.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Second, the chief executive of that organisation is a person whom I personally hold in the highest regard and whose integrity I would defend at all times, Mr. Rody Molloy. The Tánaiste, as the line Minister, can make inquiries into the matter to get the details of what is being referred to this morning, of which I have no notice.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: If there is any issue of Garda involvement, it should be left with the gardaí.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: In my previous capacity as Minister for Finance, I was obviously in constant contact with the sector through the Central Bank mechanism and other mechanisms. This was to ensure that, in dealing with the situation that has arisen with regard to international financial market turbulence, our banking system was able to operate appropriately and properly despite the fact that an international...

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: This is something I have already done as Minister for Finance. It continues to be done by the Minister and the Department of Finance. That is an option which is available to us at any time. In fact, last night I was discussing with advisers the issue of how we can ensure that we do not have a reaction to the downturn as if we were not capable of getting through it robustly, on the basis of...

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The budget day statement outlined the downside risks, all of which have materialised. If the Deputy knows of anybody who predicted the downturn in the international economy that we have seen in the past eight months, I ask her to give me a shout because I do not know of anyone who did.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It certainly was not in any of the policy positions put forward by Deputy Burton's party during the election.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: To stick to the point that Deputy Burton's leader raised——

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: To stick to the point that Deputy Gilmore raised, the strategy is very clear. We will take whatever measures are necessary to have a sustainable budgetary strategy going forward. We will seek more value for money on the current side. We were already talking about moderating the rate of increase in current expenditure anyway because we want to continue to apply priority investment on the...

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. On 7 April, my predecessor, Deputy Bertie Ahern met the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Hans-Gert Pöttering. Discussions focused on the ratification and importance of the reform treaty and the European Commission's proposals on climate change. Deputy Ahern welcomed the European Parliament's engagement on the issue of...

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I reject all the contentions the Deputy makes in respect of this matter as he ascribes them to me. There is full respect for and acceptance of the "No" vote. The Lisbon treaty cannot come into effect unless all member states agree to its ratification. That is accepted by everybody with whom I have met. No disrespect is being shown and there is no question of people being forced to do...

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy now comes in here and lectures me. As Taoiseach, I will not accept that. The third point I would make to the Deputy is that in the same way as our decision not to ratify the treaty last Thursday week was an exercise in national sovereignty, other countries also have a right to exercise national sovereignty as they see it and make their position clear on the ratification process of...