Results 9,941-9,960 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the legislation, as for the adoption Bill, a significant policy issue was raised during the summer months that was brought to a conclusion last week and technical amendments to the Bill are ongoing. One hopes this Bill will be published this term. I made the point that the nursing homes support scheme Bill is nearly finalised. It is intended to be brought before the Houses in the current...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer Deputy Ó Caoláin, it is not possible to give a date for that Bill because as I stated, other priorities in health legislation are being spoken about, namely, the adoption Bill, the nursing homes support scheme Bill and the child care Bill, which are substantive Bills.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am saying these take priority——

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in view of their readiness to come before the House for consideration.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I must check that with the Minister concerned.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The entire purpose of the A, B and C lists was to give an indication to Members, as they requested, as to what priorities were likely to come before the House in the immediate term and so forth. If the purpose of producing the C list is to ask the reason the Bills are not on the A or B list, and the House goes through this seriatim every week, what is the purpose of producing the C list, if...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The whole idea of bringing forward these lists in the present form is to indicate from the outset, in fairness to Opposition spokespersons and everyone else who wishes to contribute to the House, what Bills are likely to be brought forward and what ones are not. Questions about policy issues should be tabled before the relevant Ministers during Question Time. However, if the House is to...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of the pharmacy No. 2 Bill was twofold, first to follow on from the Pharmacy Act 2007 and deal with other changes in the regulatory framework for pharmacy and pharmacy services not addressed in that Act and, second, to deal with any remaining recommendations of the pharmacy review group, including matters relating to a new pharmacy contract. Work was progressing on commencing the...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Work on that Bill is at a preliminary stage of examination. Consultations are ongoing with the Department's financial management unit, courts policy and the Courts Service. Until that is completed, we cannot deal with it.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in an earlier reply, consideration can be and is being given to that issue in the context of a possible amendment on Committee Stage.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the multi-unit developments, an interdepartmental and inter-ministerial group has been working on this. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is in discussion with the Law Society with regard to some aspects and contractual issues in preparation for proposed provisions for that aspect of the problem. That meeting is imminent, which I know having spoken to the Minister about...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will work through the processes I have outlined and have the Attorney General certify and validate what is being proposed as being legally sound. We will make a decision at that stage as to the best way to proceed. That is the up to date position.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware we have been in discussion with parties of the Opposition about the matter. I understand it is intended to bring forward a motion tomorrow for the establishment of a committee as discussed.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will await its progress in the Seanad in the first instance.

Written Answers — Procurement Procedures: Procurement Procedures (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am confident that all agencies and bodies under my Department's responsibility comply fully with the Department of Finance guidelines for goods and services. The Internal Audit report on the National Forum on Europe, dated December 2006, concluded that the appropriate Department of Finance procurement procedures are being employed for the tendering of services. The Forum Secretariat is...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The following tables detail all travel for official purposes which has been undertaken by myself and the Ministers of State assigned to my Department, since the establishment of the current Government in May 2008 to the end of August 2008. To date, there have been no costs incurred in respect of commercial flights. Any costs in relation to the Ministerial Air Transport Service are borne by...

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which was established in October 2007, provides a valuable forum to members of both Houses of the Oireachtas to discuss the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and related matters with Members of the Westminster Parliament elected for constituencies in Northern Ireland. In its relatively short time in existence,...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The pay and emoluments granted to the Directors of the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) which encompasses the National Economic and Social Forum (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) is as follows: Title of Agency Director € Chief Officer of NESDO and Director of NESC 150,712 Director...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 196 together. The table below outlines expenditure from my Department's Vote on consultants and the proportions that relate to public relations from 2002 to the end of August 2008. There has been no spend by my Department on consultants relating to marketing and advertising during this period. Of the total expenditure on Public Relations for...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: My Department does not provide any official vehicles.