Results 10,021-10,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 9, Supplementary Estimate for Public Services [Vote 31]; No. 10, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 40]; No. 11, motion re referral of Supplementary Estimate [Vote 40] to select committee; No. 12, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the instruments as contemplated by Article 3(2) of the...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The position on the second matter to which the Deputy refers is to see whether a consensus can emerge from the committee on the best way to proceed. Fianna Fáil members on the committee have brought forward a substantial submission in an attempt to assist in that effort to build a consensus. However, as the Leader of the Opposition stated, the Government has not yet come to a conclusion on...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Hopefully. I will be meeting the Minister for Finance on his return in order to obtain an update briefing on where matters stand regarding the preparation of the scheme. I understand preparation of the scheme has been ongoing over the weekend. Developments have been made as a result of the meetings that took place. An attempt is being made to finalise the scheme in a way that it will, if...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is being considered is bringing forward the scheme and laying it before the Houses of the Oireachtas for discussion in order that people might give their views on it. I will be obliged to discuss with the Minister for Finance what will be the exact mechanics of the process. I am aware that he sought to provide an assurance that the scheme would be brought before the House this week....

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: In the first instance, the Minister for Finance must be given an opportunity to brief me and the Government on the up-to-date position. We will then be obliged to take account of the various emerging and evolving issues. It is important that we get this matter right. In getting it right we must take into account whatever views are expressed at various fora. We must also show our...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is on the list because it is a priority set by the Department. However, whether it is taken this or next session depends on whether we make progress on the work involved. There are important Bills for the House this session. Given that the budget is being taken early, we will have to deal with the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill. We will have to see how we get on.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand the air transport pre-clearance legislation is due to be introduced next year.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the dentists Bill, a consultative process was launched to lead to the development of a national oral health policy. This new policy is to involve a comprehensive review of service delivery, manpower planning and training and the regulation of the dental profession in Ireland. It will make wide-ranging recommendations on oral health policy for the next ten years. It was originally...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: There will be an opportunity to discuss it in the context of the budget debate as part of public sector pay policy generally.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will not be introduced before next year.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We hope it will be published this session.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Both Bills will be published this session. I hope the nursing home support Bill will be published very soon.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The first two Bills mentioned will not be published this year. I understand it will be next year at the earliest before they are published. With regard to the animal welfare Bill, a consultation process is taking place and until it is completed the legislation will not arise.

Written Answers — Legislative Responsibilities: Legislative Responsibilities (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Office of the Attorney General is responsible for the maintenance of the electronic Irish Statute Book (www.irishstatutebook.ie). The eISB currently contains all Acts passed in the years 1922 to 2008 up to and including Act Number 12 of 2008 and all Statutory Instruments made since 1922, up to and including SI No. 350 of 2005. It also contains a link to pdf versions of Statutory...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The contractual arrangements and conditions of employment in respect of the HSE and its staff refer to the recommendations of the review body on higher remuneration in the public sector. This is about trying to ensure one provides a pay scale that relates to performance based on setting targets. The principles of higher remuneration in the public sector were about trying to bring...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: These are matters for the HSE board in terms of contractual obligations and conditions of employment. Clearly, I expect it will take into account the new economic situation with which we are contending. While bonus schemes can be in place, the question of whether they are approved and paid depends on these performance related issues being confirmed and completed over the period of that year....

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I pointed out, contractual issues are raised and while the Leader of the Opposition might like to ignore them, they cannot be ignored and must be dealt with. I also made the point that bonus systems must be based on performance related criteria.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The populist argument can be made by the Opposition day and night, as it always is, but that must be related to performance targets and part of the question of public sector reform and getting people into the public sector was ensuring we had bonus systems which correlate to the private sector.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: This was proposed and agreed by people because it was a way of bringing private sector people into the public sector pay scales. We agreed this was the way to proceed. The HSE board must take into account the new economic situation we face. One cannot decide willy-nilly to break conditions of employment. One must ensure the performance-related criteria are stringent and ambitious.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The HSE board makes those decisions and that is right. That is how it is in respect of every bonus payment scheme. With regard to the more general issue related to consultancy and the McKinsey report, this issue is to ensure that in the reorganisation which has been taking place the management system interrelates between the community care system and the acute hospital system. Changes are...