Results 10,081-10,100 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the first matter raised by the Deputy, one must continue to be hopeful that we can overcome the difficulties that have arisen and we will continue to work to see if they can be resolved. It has been disappointing that has not been the case thus far. The deferral or postponement of Executive meetings is not a good practice in terms of developing relationships and trust. It has...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I join Deputy Ó Caoláin in offering my sympathy to Martin McGuinness and the other members of his family on the death of their mother. I did so personally yesterday in any event. I accept that Sinn Féin is committed to partnership. It is important that we get everyone around the table in a working relationship. It is correct that certain issues are long overdue for resolution and that...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Foreign Affairs will handle the issue regarding the group the Deputy mentioned, but I have not discussed it with him. With regard to the loyalist paramilitaries, I will discuss this issue with the Minister on another occasion. I have not done so yet.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The substance of the work is what is important. I do not have any views one way or the other with regard to what organisational format should be provided. Generally speaking, the party opposite would be of the view we should, where possible, try to increase the level of responsibility of some of these organisations and see whether we can pull them together. On the point made by Deputy...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 23, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 24, Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 49, motion re unemployment (resumed) to conclude at 8.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The point being made by Deputy Kenny demonstrates the problem involved with people asking us to be specific about when something will be brought to the House and we in good faith saying it should be here next week, but then other developments take place in the interim. Initially we were talking about the six Irish banks, as set out in the original guarantee statement. Concerns arose during...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is fair. The Whips will meet this evening and we will keep in touch as regards what is happening. It is a question of making sure the work covers all the bases and meets the requirements of the various people who are indicating an interest.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I have said, as soon as the scheme is available, ready and approved by the Cabinet, it will be brought to the House and subject to the Whips' agreement on when it will be taken. Obviously, people are indicating that they would like to take it as quickly as possible. We are having a discussion and I was asked when I felt it could be taken, and I replied that it will be more than likely next...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let us be fair, Deputy Costello. This situation arose in very extraordinary circumstances. Decisions had to be taken and legislation was brought before the House. The Minister for Finance was as expansive as he could be in explaining the reasoning behind it and what we were trying to achieve. The legislation allowed people to discuss how this would work in practice. The UK Chancellor of the...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let us be fair. People are entitled to information and I will give as much as possible, but we also have to be fair to each other, make sure we get this right and take into account all the issues concerned. If the EU says that we need to avoid the distortion in the capital flows which it believes could possibly emerge or that we should deal with other banking institutions in the country in...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not helpful to refer to this as a Pandora's box; nor is it accurate. It is not a question of an impediment. There is a question from the European Union about what it regards as the possible discriminatory nature of a scheme provided for just the banks incorporated or regulated in one state. We must deal with this issue. We are engaging constructively with the European Union. The...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Of course; they are the questions we all put to one another.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: No. What it points to is the need to deal with these questions comprehensively. We are having constructive discussions with the parties I mentioned. We are sitting down with them and seeking clarification. They are going back to their people and coming back to ours. That is what one would expect — that it be done in a diligent, proper and rigorous way. It is a different situation. We...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of putting the cart before the horse. To reduce the challenges facing the country to carts and horses says more about the Deputy——

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Carts and horses. What does that mean?

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: A speech in Trinity College last weekend.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is not under examination at this time.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will have to check with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government as to how he will proceed with that aspect of what he said yesterday. He has given a view in the House, with which I do not have a problem. We can proceed through legislation in whatever way is required, although I will have to discuss the matter with the Minister. The matter of a debate on the Morris...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not know whether legislation is promised, but understand work on the issue of capping local election spending for next year is ongoing in the Department. The matter can and will proceed but in what way it will I am not sure.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: No, I am not. I am indicating I am not aware at this point what the legislative method for dealing with that issue is so I will take it up with the Minister and convey it to the Deputy.