Results 9,881-9,900 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Chief Whip will try to co-operate in that respect, but obviously he can only give an indication.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Were Deputy Coveney from Laois-Offaly, I would probably answer his question.

National Development Plan: Motion (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I move: That Dáil Éireann: commends the Government on the progress made under the NDP as evidenced by the 2007 NDP Annual Report, particularly the substantial investment made in consolidating and enhancing Ireland's economic competitiveness; acknowledges important economic and social progress made over the last decade and the fact that we face the present economic and fiscal challenges from...

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Details of publications and booklets published on behalf of my Department as requested by the Deputy are listed in the following table: Publication Consultants Date of Publication Production and Design Cost Printing Cost Overall Cost Department of the Taoiseach Scheme (2005-08) under Section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003 Design: Comarsaid Creative September 2005 N/A Design and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The table that follows this reply outlines expenditure from my Department's Vote on consultancy services and expenses and the amounts that related to public relations in each case from 2002 to 2008 (to date). The figures also include consultancy spend recouped from the Change Management Fund in the Department of Finance. The expenditure on public relations services relate primarily to the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government is acting on this matter by bringing forward the date of the budget to 14 October, which is the most important decision that has been made. It is an indication of the seriousness of the intent of Government to take whatever decisions are necessary to meet, as Deputy Kenny has said, the new economic situation we now face. While I do not intend getting involved in a debate...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer the Deputy's question in regard of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report, to which he referred, and what I had to say about it yesterday, I made the point that the constitutional responsibility of every Comptroller and Auditor General under any Government is to point out where he feels there has been less than effective value for money or disposal of funds. It is in the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is just to make that point. In no way does it take from the merit or demerits of any aspect of any Comptroller and Auditor General's report under any Government and that will continue in the years ahead. Any lessons to be learned from it have to be learned. That is the simple point I was making. Deputy Kenny continually contends that the record of this Government is something that...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fact is that all forecasts made coming into this financial year were around the same as those made by the Department of Finance. We are in an unprecedented situation, much different from that envisaged by forecasters at the tail end of last year because of what has been happening, primarily in international markets. That is a fact.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The downturn is taking place in every economy. What we must do and are intent on doing is to bring to the Dáil within three weeks a budget proposal that will set out clearly what the expenditure issues must be. With less revenue coming in it is clear economies must be made. What we must contend with are what our priorities will be as they relate to the capital programme and what the...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have no problem in engaging with Deputy Kenny in that debate but the Government has a job to do.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The job of Government now is to prepare for the budget which we will bring forward on 14 October.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: What we are doing, obviously, is using the training agencies to provide whatever opportunities they can to provide upskilling and reskilling of those who, unfortunately, have lost their jobs.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: FÁS is the training agency to which people go and of whose services they avail. Regarding the overall situation, if there is an international downturn it affects a small local economy such as ours. This is happening elsewhere and we are not immune from such developments. The downturn is having an impact. It is also fair to say that there have been indications of investment from foreign...

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is not the situation. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will answer parliamentary questions today on what FÁS is doing to react to the increase in unemployment.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy has no confidence in what FÁS has done to help reskill workers and provide unemployed people with opportunities and pathways to employment then I am afraid he does FÁS a disservice.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: FÁS has had success in this area and I think it is only fair to say this.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: There may be other issues relating to audit matters, but they are being dealt with and this has been welcomed by the chairman and chief executive of FÁS, in the interest of maintaining confidence in the agency. I am glad that this is the approach they are taking to the issue. If the Deputy is suggesting FÁS is not helping people in any way he is doing the agency a disservice.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: In answer to Deputy Gilmore, the Government will continue to work with job creation agencies like Enterprise Ireland and the IDA. These agencies have had successes, although I notice Deputy Gilmore has not mentioned them and instead has mentioned only those people who, unfortunately, have lost jobs and who I acknowledge.

Leaders' Questions (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The picture painted by Deputy Gilmore is unbalanced. It is a serious situation, which we intend to confront, but I do not expect any input from the Opposition other than the sort of political point scoring we have heard this morning.