Results 10,901-10,920 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Benchmarking Awards. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government has introduced the minimum wage. Through its tax policies it has ensured low-paid workers have a greater level of disposable income after tax than any previous Government provided. It has taken many of them out of the tax net. Increasing job creation in the past has provided many opportunities. Returning to the question on benchmarking, comparisons are made between the...

Benchmarking Awards. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out that the benchmarking report did not take chief executive salaries of major publicly quoted companies, it took the lower quarter of a range of salaries as being a fair representation, as far as one can find equivalence in these matters, between the higher paid grades in the public sector and a comparison in the private sector that was appropriate. The...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together. The programme for Government between the parties in Government, and which enjoys the support of a number of Independent Members of Dáil Éireann, was agreed following last year's general election and sets a detailed agenda for Ireland's development to 2012. Much progress has already been achieved in fulfilling the commitments....

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The programme for Government was predicated on delivering growth rates of 4.5%, which are not in prospect for the immediate period ahead. Therefore, the important paragraph in any programme for Government must be invoked. This is that the primary consideration must be to deal with the budgetary situation and, in that context, priorities must be identified. That would be the case for anyone...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The programme for Government stands. It is predicated on the assumptions I outlined. We have indicated they will have to prioritised in view of the fact the resources of the State are not what one would have expected. With regard to priorities from year to year, I refer the Deputy to the departmental Estimates of the Ministers which set out the activity they envisage during the course of...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am dealing with all of these questions honestly, as I deal with all questions here in the House, and to the best of my ability and knowledge available to me. The signatories to the programme for Government did not sign in an individual capacity. They did so on behalf of their parties for the duration of the term of this Government. The Deputy will find, if his party changes its leader,...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Significant funding is being made available in the social and public housing programme this coming year. Based on his experience and previous work as a local authority member, the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, is well au fait with the prospects for local authorities and others providing for that. This arises from a significant allocation; from memory it may be over €4 billion or...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: To the greatest extent we can, this was one of the areas of the capital programme we sought to affect least because of the importance of housing for some of the reasons Deputy Ó Caoláin outlined. I am glad to know he is an advocate of the construction sector. He was an arch critic of it while I was Minister for Finance and I am glad he sees its importance now that it has had some difficulties.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not have a confused memory. The record will show these matters. It is great to see flexibility of thinking in Sinn Féin; it is a very important political development.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have answered Deputy Ó Caoláin's question. I have obviously touched a tickle bone somewhere.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have addressed the issues. If Deputy Ó Caoláin can give it he has to take it. It is called democracy.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: If one can give it one has to take it. It is part of the game. Deputy Ó Caoláin is getting there, in fairness to him. I have dealt with the housing issues. The national development plan allocation for 2009 is, in great measure, despite the budgetary difficulties, being proceeded with.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: If Deputy Ó Caoláin suggests there be provision for further investment in that area I remind him we are still budgeting for a 6.5% current budget deficit next year. We have provided in our capital programme for €8.2 billion of investment, a serious stimulus package towards economic activity from the Government. It is twice what it is in the EU and we note that the draft report from the...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance has outlined the budgetary position and one of the issues that affects us more pertinently in respect of the last part of Deputy Gilmore's question is the weakness of sterling vis-À-vis the euro. This concern continues. The programme for Government runs over a five year period. I have indicated its parameters. Part of the programme for Government refers to the...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Did the Deputies hear that? Deputy McCormack says Deputy Gilmore had better get used to it.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Health and Children said she would revert to the matter as soon as the budgetary position allowed.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Either the Deputy wants to hear the answer or she wants to give me the answer. The requirement of a national screening programme is an absolute prerequisite for the implementation of any other aspect of that programme. That is being proceeded with and additional money is being provided for that in the coming year. With regard to Deputy Gilmore's question, the programme for Government must...

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of being a cosy arrangement, it is a question of being part of how a Government operates and how it intends to discharge its responsibilities in the circumstances in which we find ourselves. It is hard to give a coherent answer to Deputy Reilly because his finance spokesman said we should have cut €5 billion more in our budgetary strategy.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: He said taxes should not be increased, which amounts to €2.3 billion and the budget deficit should be reduced from 6.5% to 5.5%, which amounts to another €2 billion. We would, therefore, need €4.3 billion. Fine Gael claim that saving can be made on by eliminating waste. Public services refer to nurses, teachers, psychologists——

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and the need for supports for medics and paramedics to be able to do their jobs to have an effective hospital system and provide a transparent and accountable system.