Results 10,721-10,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Standards in Public Office. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I respectfully suggest that in areas of criminal law, gardaí or law enforcement officers do not act except on foot of a complaint from an individual citizen. In respect of a civil assault, for example, they would not proceed in the absence of other evidence unless they received a complaint. They would not have the evidential basis on which to proceed. It is not true to claim, therefore,...

Standards in Public Office. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I cannot give the Deputy any answers as to whether there have been any gifts declarable over €2,000. That information is not available to me. I do not think so. I am not aware of any.

Standards in Public Office. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I can inquire. If it is in line with the legislation and the code of conduct, I will do so. There are some aspects of the legislation where one submits the inquiry to the commission and the commission confirms one's position. It is not declarable or whatever if it is covered by the legislation. I would need to check for the Deputy. I do not know off-hand. I believe there is also an...

Standards in Public Office. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The commission would retain any information in that respect. If one is offered a gift of a certain value, one applies to the commission to clarify whether it is right to accept it and one abides by its decision. That is the way it works under the provisions of the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007 that we are discussing.

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together. Mr. Patrick MacEntee, sole member of the Commission of Investigation into the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings 1974, handed over his final report on 12 March 2007. It was published on 4 April 2007. The total amount spent on the commission of investigation was €2,632,702. All costs of the commission of investigation have been...

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Arising from the motion passed by the Dáil on 10 July last, I understand the Clerk of the Dáil communicated the text of the resolution to the House of Commons, together with the report of the commission of inquiry and the Barron reports. I am not aware if any correspondence has been received by the Clerk of the Dáil since then, apart from acknowledgement of its receipt. It is not...

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have asked my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, to consider a request for a meeting from Justice for the Forgotten. I will check the correspondence issue. On the question of seeing if we can get to the truth of the matter, we will support any opportunity to do so. We will continue our efforts even if we are not satisfied with the response of the British...

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have the experience of the commission of inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings and it is the case that while much was achieved, it did not resolve the issues for relatives. We also have the work done by the Eames-Bradley group. Issues have also arisen where legal proceedings have been initiated. Rather than embark on a judicial inquiry process at this time we have to look to...

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I cannot give specific detailed answers on those matters but, as the Deputy indicated, the remit of the Remembrance Commission fund ended on 31 October, having been extended for a number of years. The commission has done important work in acknowledgement, remembrance and assistance to address the needs of victims. I thank the members of the commission for all their work over the years on...

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, any organisations or groups that have been involved in this issue to date have been deriving funding for their activities from the Remembrance Commission fund, which expired on 31 October. It is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to consider any applications for further funding thereafter. On the Justice for the Forgotten group, there was a response...

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is as far as Mr. MacEntee was able to bring the matter. Subsequently there was a resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas to address the Deputy's concern, requesting that any further help that the British Government could give be given. This remains the position of the Irish Government and the Oireachtas. We will continue to determine how this can be advanced. I do not want to...

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I said the Minister will consider this.

Commissions of Investigation. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The issue was communicated by the House on behalf of all Members of the House as is the normal protocol. In this case it was communicated by the Clerk of the Dáil. Any discussions I have had with the British Prime Minister in recent months have concerned the political situation, on which we have seen some progress today. I have no problem with writing to the Prime Minister and referring...

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Six weeks ago, we decided on a guarantee scheme to provide improved liquidity in the banking system because we wanted to ensure that sufficient lines of credit would be available to small, medium and large businesses. Were the decision not taken, we would be facing a difficult situation. The situation continues to be difficult. As a result of the scheme's agreement in the House, business...

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I made it clear that the Government will continue to act in the overall interests of Irish business in order to ensure that employment remains at the maximum level and in order to maintain financial stability. We will do so on the basis of the most up-to-date information and accurate analysis of the material provided by those acting on behalf of the Financial Regulator, the Central Bank and...

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Those decisions will be in line with the most up-to-date analysis and information. The market acts on herd instinct and not always on full information.

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes, but even if Bank of Ireland's shares doubled in value tomorrow, its capital would not double.

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The point is——

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am also concerned about jobs. I did not interrupt the Deputy during his contribution.

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: What we need to do — this has been happening — is discover the level of impairment going forward in respect of bank loans.