Results 9,981-10,000 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We would like to proceed. I accept that it has required the forbearance of the Opposition. Members opposite will understand that decisions were made early this morning and the statement of principle made at 7 a.m, after which a Cabinet meeting took place at which the heads of the Bill were approved. Officials have been working to get this to the House this evening. However, it is a...

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: May I be of assistance, a Cheann Comhairle? I have listened to what all the Deputies have said and it is important that we are in a position to conduct our business as best we can, given the exigencies of the situation and the importance of the legislation we are passing. Given the views expressed and out of respect for the co-operation of the House in regard to these matters, we should be...

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Without wishing to engage in point scoring, it is not a question of chaotic preparation, it is a question of people working very hard to achieve the objective we set out for ourselves.

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: There was no chaotic preparation. There are times when we can try to score points but this is not such an occasion. I am simply saying, in deference to everybody in the House, that we need a sensible arrangement so that a sufficiently positive signal can be sent to the markets by the completion of Second Stage of the Bill this evening. Let us proceed on that basis without trying to make...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 13 — motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 13a — Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008 — Financial Resolution; and No. a3 — Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 13 and 13a shall be decided without...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: On a point of information, in the event of there being a future situation where one had to work out the assets of an institution, if it emerged after working out those assets that there was a deficit, clearly the sector would pay for the difference through a levy over time rather than expecting the taxpayer——

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: In the same way, I gave the earlier example of the insurance company.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That would be predicated on the idea of a failure.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Civil service posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary are covered by a scheme of performance related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the Committee for Performance Awards. The funding for awards is based on 10% of the payroll for the posts covered by the scheme. Within this overall limit, payments of up to 20% can be made to individuals. Details of...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 192 and 195 together. The Deputy will be aware that there are no proposals to decentralise my Department or any of the agencies or bodies under its aegis and that the Department of Finance has responsibility in Government for the overall Decentralisation Programme.

Written Answers — Compulsory Purchase Orders: Compulsory Purchase Orders (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: None of the Agencies under the remit of my Department has the power to issue compulsory purchase orders.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: All members of staff of my Department, who have portable electronic data devices issued to them for work purposes, are issued with a specific policy which they must read, sign and return for records purposes. This policy details the terms and conditions associated with securing the usage of this portable equipment. It is available on my Department's internal system. In addition to this, all...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: No computer, desktops, laptops or other data devices, such as blackberries and memory keys, have been reported missing or stolen from my Department to date in 2008.

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. In accordance with the initiative I announced in my 2008 budget speech, an efficiency review of my Department's expenditure and related activities was undertaken earlier this year. The review identified a number of proposals which, when fully implemented, will result in greater administrative efficiency in my Department and the bodies for...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Minister of State has been asked to examine this issue by the Minister for Finance within the Department of Finance and the public service. What is informing the exercise generally in terms of the principles to apply relates to the OECD report on the public service and the task force currently drawing up an action plan to implement and sequence the report's recommendations in a way that...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: That requires political agreement. It is important that there is a structured institutional architecture between the North and South in advancing the objectives of the Good Friday Agreement. In the past, it was suggested co-operation could be considered on a case by case basis, which could well depend on the relative enthusiasm or commitment of the incumbents in office and the relevant...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Tourism Ireland is an all-island body that provides for the international marketing of the island as a whole. Our different tourism support agencies within the island could be examined, but one requires political confidence building to achieve advances in that area. Tourism Ireland is an excellent example of the common sense nature of the all-island approach.

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will understand that I cannot anticipate any Government decisions that have not yet been taken in any of these matters. The aims of the NESDO value for money review is to analyse the output of the grant-in-aid funding provided to NESDO, to determine the impact of the development of public policy in line with the objectives of the Department of the Taoiseach and other relevant...

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy knows from his own internal organisational review, about which I have been reading, everyone will be informed at the appropriate time.

Departmental Agencies. (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Ó Caoláin should always check with the referee before looking at the scoreboard.