Results 9,961-9,980 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: Neither my Department nor any of its agencies have awarded contracts to the company in question since 2000. Poster Plan Ltd. was engaged by the National Forum on Europe for an ad mobile in May this year at a cost of €6,950 plus VAT. The Forum also used Poster Plan Ltd's services in January 2008 in the production of a Forum Information Film on the Treaty of Lisbon at a cost of €1,400 plus...

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

Brian Cowen: The Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Economic and Social Policy in my Department chaired the 4th Annual Irish Public Private Partnerships Policy Forum on 19 June, 2008, and was the only member of staff from my Department involved in this event. There were no costs to the Department arising from her participation.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Sensitive information belonging to members of the public is not generally collected by, or stored, in the Department's electronic systems. A number of specific measures are in place in my Department to protect all data which is held electronically:- Access to personal information held on databases within my Department is controlled by application security and confined to relevant authorised...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: No laptop computers, data storage devices or USB memory sticks have been stolen or lost from my Department in 2007 and to date in 2008.

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

Brian Cowen: Since the enactment of the Official Languages Act in 2003, my Department and agencies have spent €2,969.64 on advertisements in Irish alone and €385,681.25 on advertisements in both Irish and English. Assuming that something less than half of the latter cost relates to the content in Irish, the total amount requested by the Deputy is less than €195,810.27. These costs relate in the...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 195 together. CSO The Director General of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) receives no bonuses or merit awards above the basic salary of his post. As an established civil servant, the current Director General will be entitled to a pension/lump sum under current Civil Service pension entitlements on his retirement. NSB The Chairperson of the National...

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

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together. The number of Staff in my Private and Constituency office and in the Offices of my Ministers of State and their costs to the Exchequer are detailed in the tables below: Cost for 2007 Office Number of Staff Grade Comments Total Cost including Salary/Allowances/ Overtime and Expenses € Taoiseach's Private Office 13 1 Private...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Kenny for his offer of co-operation on this important matter and I also thank all Members who have been briefed about the situation which has arisen. The action taken by the Government last night was necessary based on the advice available to us from the Central Bank and regulatory authorities. This action was to ensure we maintain the stability of the Irish financial system...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Regarding protections to be put in place for taxpayers and the regulatory situation, I stress this guarantee was not given lightly. It was informed by the strong advice of the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator that, on account of unprecedented disruption in international financial markets, a system-wide State guarantee was required to ensure Irish financial institutions have access to...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government has not taken equity in these banking institutions. It has provided a State guarantee to deal with liquidity which was critical to the continuation and health of the financial system. By doing so, we are not exposing taxpayers' money to the provision of that equity. The equity issue does not address the liquidity one.

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have just outlined that, by reason of the arrangements put in place for the terms and conditionality that will apply in respect of financial institutions if they seek this money to maintain their liquid position, the Financial Regulator has the powers to provide whatever conditionality is required to ensure he is satisfied that it is being used for the purpose for which it is being sought.

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is in it for the taxpayer, for workers, for people with pension funds and for people who have accounts in banks is the first and most overriding priority of any Government, financial regulator or central bank in this situation, that is, to have a stable Irish financial system that is operational.

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the most important thing. How far back do people think the country would be if we awoke this morning, in the absence of the State guarantee that has been offered in the way it has been offered, to find a failed banking system on our hands? What would be the situation then for Irish people or Irish workers? There are corporate organisations which must get access to funds, as well as...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: If we know that then what is in this for the taxpayer——

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is in this for the taxpayer is clearly the ability to provide a stable banking system so all businesses and all people who have deposits and interests in the banks and in the commercial life of the country can have the prospect of continuing in the very abnormal situation we find ourselves in today. That is the first point. The second point is that no money has been handed over by the...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Involved in that figure is the capital and assets associated with these institutions, which exceed the liabilities of the institutions in terms of the lending they have put out. The residual about which we are talking is the need to make sure they can conduct their business by having access to funds. I have not handed over money to any bank. I have provided the reputation of this State to...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: With respect, I am trying to be as helpful as possible. The statement that issued this morning before the markets opened was a statement of principle, with clarity, by the Irish Government as to what its intentions were in relation to maintaining the stability of the Irish financial system. What we are bringing forward today — I appreciate the co-operation of the House in this matter —...

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I apologise for this situation. As I understand it, Fine Gael seeks the final version of the Bill before proceeding with the Second Stage debate.

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am just making the point——

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——that Deputy Kenny was making. If the Deputies do not want me to make a point, I will leave it at that. I have listened intently to what Members have said. The situation is that we have been informed that the final version of the Bill will be available at 9.45 p.m. and that the debate can begin at 10 p.m. The idea behind bringing the legislation forward today is to give legislative...