Results 9,501-9,520 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is an existing scheme which relates to mortgage interest relief. Mortgage interest relief was more than doubled in the past two budgets.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: This was a proper response and it resulted in much greater benefits for a larger number of house buyers and those with mortgages than would have been the case had I taken on board some of the proposals put forward by the Opposition at the time. I do not accept the point made by the Leader of the Opposition to the effect that I made an incorrect policy decision in choosing that option rather...

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I reject all of the assertions put forward by the Leader of the Opposition and I defend the actions I took when I served as Minister for Finance. On the question of reckless spending, the national debt fell from 30% of GDP in 2004 to 25% last year. Debt service as a share of tax revenue fell from 4.7% in 2004 to 3.4% last year. In the years 2005, 2006 and 2007——

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am answering Deputy Kenny's question on reckless spending.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I would like to answer the question and I listened in silence to what Deputy Kenny had to say.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: In the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 there was a current budget surplus of €22 billion. That gives the lie to charges of reckless spending. We increased capital spending and I stand over the decision taken in this regard.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is important that we continue with capital spending. I make no apologies for increasing the old age pension by €66.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I doubled financial supports for parents with children under six years of age.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I also doubled the provision relating to special needs education. In addition, I increased the social welfare budget by 40%. I stand over the decisions I made in this regard.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny claimed that I was profiting and misspending. He should indicate where I spent too much, as far as he is concerned, in the areas of health, education and social welfare.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is his responsibility to do so if he disagrees with my assertions.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy also suggested the economy——

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——can be characterised as a building site and nothing more. Our economy is sophisticated and developed. One quarter of the jobs currently in existence in Ireland were created during the past ten or 11 years when this Administration was in power. We will face into the international downturn——

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in a far stronger position than previously. We will be obliged to ensure that we take prudent corrective action. We must not defer the necessary corrective action because if we do so, we will face more difficult times in the future. We will make our decisions in this regard on the basis of the publication of the mid-year Exchequer returns tomorrow. The Minister for Finance will make...

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will discuss these issues in the House next week.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer Deputy Gilmore directly, the situation is clear. We are experiencing a reduction in tax revenues. As is normal, the Minister for Finance will have informed the Government in general terms about the figures to be released in advance of the publication tomorrow of the Exchequer returns by the Department of Finance. They will be released tomorrow, not today, by that Department, in...

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is normal.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Rubbish.

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government makes decisions on the basis of its own figures. We make these decisions after we receive the figures which are being published transparently and will be explained by officials of the Department of Finance. As that is long-established practice, there can be no suggestion from Deputy Gilmore or anybody else of spin. The figures will be published by the Department, which is...

Leaders' Questions (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government will make decisions——