Results 10,921-10,940 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Fine Gael proposal is that we can provide for €5 billion more in savings and expenditure cuts while, at the same time, every saving identified by the Administration is criticised, but such saving only adds to that party's budgetary gap.

Programme for Government. (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: That says more about Fine Gael's lack of credibility than it does about ours.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 2, Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m.; and the proceedings on the resumed Second Stage of No. 2 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 10 p.m. Private...

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the contentions made in respect of the matters raised by the Deputies. The question of the elimination of poverty in the past ten years has been very successfully dealt with in many respects, although unfortunately the concept is still with us. The social partnership process has been instrumental in devising policies which have been most helpful to people who have been...

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: There are many who advocate on this——

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: No. I would not accept that at all.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I would not accept the Deputy's contentions. He is misrepresenting my position. With regard to the policy of poverty proofing budgets or other measures, while it is claimed that in some way the Office for Social Inclusion failed in that matter, it simply poverty proofed the decisions that were taken by Government.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The budget documentation will show——

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The previous budgets in which I was involved compare very favourably with a predecessor in the Deputy's party. We have been far better at providing for the lower income groups and dealing with poverty proofing than was the case when they had the opportunity themselves. The budget documentation confirms that.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It does.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Proceed.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: We hope to have the relevant legislation before Christmas in this session.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I always wonder what goes on at Whips' meetings.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy has often made a fair effort to penetrate that cover. This Bill has yet to be published and considered. As soon as that happens, it is a matter for the Whips to decide when it is taken in the House. Hopefully, with the co-operation of the House, we can introduce it before the end of this year. I look forward to the Deputy's co-operation in achieving that.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for the Deputy himself.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I would hate to think the Deputy might be missed.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Finance Bill is taken in committee, as Deputies know, and it is open to any Member of the House to attend that committee for the purpose of contributing to it.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is not a reflection on those who attend the committee. I have been there many times and have had some interesting debates. I agree it is a matter of such importance that perhaps people will be able to find some time to cover it. However, that is a matter for others, not for Members of this House.

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The question of Dáil reform is a matter for the Whips in due course. Getting agreement on Dáil reform is usually a matter of whether the Government is prepared to give further concessions to the Opposition. For the good order of the House, the fact that we are still here on the Order of Business at almost dinner time——

Order of Business (26 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——does not reflect well on the House.