Results 10,761-10,780 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions. (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——but which will ensure the stability of the banking system into the future. We will insist on that. It is what we are going to do in the coming days and weeks.

Written Answers — US Presidential Election: US Presidential Election (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together. On 5 November I sent a message of congratulations to President-elect Barrack Obama, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland. I subsequently wrote to the President-elect offering him our congratulations on his historic election victory. I also extended my best wishes to Vice President-elect Joe Biden. I anticipate speaking...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table. Name Title Annual Salary Rank (Civil Service equivalent) € Joe Lennon Programme Manager/Special Adviser 221,929 (Secretary General) Gerry Steadman Special Adviser 131,748 (Assistant Secretary) Brian Murphy Special Adviser 131,748 (Assistant Secretary) Declan Ryan Special Adviser 94,785 (Principal Officer)...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: 22 former members of staff from my Department have already been assigned to decentralised posts. The grades of these former staff are as follows: 4 Assistant Principals, 3 Higher Executive Officers, 2 Administrative Officers, 5 Executive Officers, 2 Staff Officers and 6 Clerical Officers. There are no proposals to decentralise my Department. It is a matter for those Departments to which...

Written Answers — Benchmarking Awards: Benchmarking Awards (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Department of the Taoiseach does not, as a rule, administer programmes or deliver services directly to the public. The Department has a different customer base to many line Departments which deliver services to the general public. The role of the Department of the Taoiseach is to provide leadership in the development, implementation and co-ordination of key Government policy areas...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The average number of sick days taken by staff in my Department during the past three years is listed in the table below. Year Average no. of days lost per employee (excluding long-term illness cases) Average no. of days lost per employee (including long-term illness cases) 2005 4.92 7.80 2006 5.10 6.35 2007 5.50 7.30

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Details of the amount paid to Consultants in each year from 2000 to 2008 (end of October) by my Department, the name of each consultant and work carried out by same are set out in the following tables. Details of payment made in 2008 (Jan-Oct) Name of Consultant Details of engagement Total cost € Department Grant Thornton Forensic accounting services in respect of issues...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (18 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Under the terms of the Civil Service Pensions Schemes, all retiring Civil Servants are normally entitled to an annual pension and a retirement lump sum based on the final salary and years of service. The pension arrangements including calculations and payment of same are a matter for the Department of Finance. The amounts granted to staff retiring from my Department under these entitlements...

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is important that discussions on these matters take cognisance of possible reactions outside this House and to ensure we are responsible and prudent in this regard. The joint board of the Central Bank and Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland, CBFSAI, has submitted to the Minister for Finance a report on the financial position of the six major institutions covered by...

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have given a formal statement in reply to Deputy Kenny's initial inquiry about this matter. I emphasise it is important that people act not in a speculative manner — I am not suggesting Deputy Kenny is doing so — but in a responsible manner in respect of this matter. They should not suggest that any particular way forward is the panacea for all ills. We are in the midst of an...

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the first matter raised by Deputy Gilmore, the position as of 30 September was that a continuation of the situation was not tenable. The continuation of capital outflows at the rate experienced over previous days and weeks meant the stability of the banking system was at risk. In regard to the question of recapitalisation, I made the point that we are trying to ensure a strong...

Leaders' Questions (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am acutely aware of the situation. The Government is not standing by or sitting back in this situation. The Government is actively engaged in trying to deal with a number of these issues. One of the biggest issues relates to the question of obtaining capital requirements for the banks so that they will in turn ensure they change their loan arrangements because they are reviewing their...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The total cost incurred by my Department in respect of the Moriarty tribunal since 1997 up to 31 October 2008 was €33,768,417. For 2008, up to 31 October, the figure was €2,977,619. It is not possible, at this stage, to estimate the final costs.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am aware the tribunal is in the final phase of preparing its report. In response to inquiries from my Department in July the sole member indicated it was his intention to complete his work by the end of this year. I understand this timetable, although likely to be subject to a slight overrun, is more or less on schedule. As the Deputy said, the last public hearing was on 7 May and Mr....

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I should make it clear that work is ongoing in the tribunal, although there are no public hearings. It relates to the statement made by Mr. Justice Michael Moriarty in his ruling on 29 September 2005. He stated: While engaged in a fact-finding exercise I recognise that the tribunal is nevertheless bound by the principles enunciated in re: Haughey [1971] 1R 217. The procedures I have...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not certain public hearings are completed. Depending on circumstances, the recalling of certain witnesses may be required for additional cross-examination in respect of the procedure in which he is currently engaged. It is less likely there will be additional public hearings but they are not excluded, depending on how the procedure in which he is presently engaged concludes.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: There has been correspondence between Ministers whose various line Departments liaise with tribunals regarding some of these matters. Cases will be made in reply regarding the need for continuity and need to maintain counsel. In the event of counsel not being retained, resigning or not continuing with its work, the first reaction in this House would be Deputies Gilmore and Kenny saying we...

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: These are the facts.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: These are the charges which have been made on the record.

Tribunals of Inquiry. (19 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputies cannot have their cake and eat it. If that had happened, those political charges would be very robustly put. The chairpersons of these tribunals would make the case in reply regarding some of these and I presume that correspondence is on the record. The protraction of the work of this tribunal has in part been due to litigation involving a total of four sets of proceedings...