Results 10,041-10,060 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Despite all that has been said by the Opposition, measurable improvements have been made in what has been taking place in a range of activities.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes, there have.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Many people using the health service are far more satisfied with it now than they were in the past.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: There are continuing problems but rather than defending the present method of delivery in the system perhaps the Opposition should support the reforms needed and proposed in many instances by the HSE——

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in an effort to improve the delivery of services. That would be a far more constructive approach than the approach it is taking today.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the guarantee scheme, this has been an evolving situation. I want to make it clear to the House that work on the scheme being carried out by officials of the Department of Finance, the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator is continuing with a view to finalising it as quickly as possible. The boards of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Central Bank...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am answering the question.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Stagg, I will answer the question.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Is that right?

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Regardless of whether Deputy Stagg interrupts, this is a quite complicated situation——

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and I do not accept that one should be blasé about it, given what is being done. The Government must take account of what is developing. Developments took place yesterday and this morning in the United Kingdom of which we must take cognisance. I am being careful to ensure this State takes an appropriate, rather than an inordinate, risk. This is what I am trying to ensure.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: No. It is important to do so.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We also were obliged to take account of the European Commissioner's views on these matters. We are having constructive and co-operative engagements with all those parties, including those who have indicated they may have an interest in applying for the scheme.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Stagg, this is the answer to the question. I refer to the other specific matter raised by Deputy Gilmore regarding what debt is being guaranteed by the State. On the basis of the advice we have received from the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator, the assets of the banks to which the guarantee relates exceed their liabilities. We are not including tier one capital arrangements,...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——this was the arrangement to which the Government came. I believe this arrangement has helped to bring some stabilisation to the liquidity question. The further issue as to how the banks should move from here is an issue that must be dealt with by the sector, by regulation and by ourselves as we interact with them on the basis of the guarantee scheme when it comes before the House for...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I have explained, the advice in respect of all these matters and in respect of all policy decisions was taken from the appropriate bodies, namely, the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have heard enough of that sort of nonsense. They are the bodies that provide advice. As for the availability of liquidity in the banks, obviously every area of liquidity that can be obtained must be obtained and retained by the banks to the greatest extent possible. It related to capital inflows as a result of the guarantee being provided and whatever liquidity or capital they had in the...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Central Bank and Financial Regulator indicated to us what areas would be covered and they put it forward.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We went with that advice.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: With due respect to Deputy Gilmore I wish to make the Government position clear. There is no need for any suggestions to the contrary. The advice obtained by Government regarding policy matters in this area was from the appropriate authorities.