Results 10,981-11,000 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: That will be outlined now.

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: If I had the exact figures——

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: By 6.5%.

Leaders' Questions (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Approximately €2 billion.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 7, motion re referral to joint committee on proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Regional Fisheries Boards (Postponement of Elections) Order 2008; No. 2, Ombudsman (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; and No. 20, Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008 — Second Stage (Resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: This is a matter for the relevant committee in the first instance. If, upon its return, there is a need or a request for a short debate, we could try to accommodate it.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I understand it, the issue of stem cell research was discussed recently in the Seanad during Private Members' time. No legislation in this area is promised on the Government side. On the legislation dealing with medical cards, the Bill concerned was brought before Government this morning and approved and can be dealt with subject to agreement by the Whips. On Deputy Kenny's call for a...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The legislation referred to by Deputies Gilmore and Morgan——

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The consultation process with the social partners is ongoing and it is unlikely the legislation will come before the House until early next year. While I did not see the programme concerned, its contents were reported to me. Any exploitation taking place in this area must be very much condemned and needs to be dealt with. It should perhaps bring some urgency to the consultations currently...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The family law Bill is due to be published next year.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Different issues apply in regard to all these matters. The fact that there are a number of agencies to be rationalised and merged does not equate to the number of Bills that would be required to effect that. The state of readiness of the legislation, where it is applicable in various Departments, would vary from place to place. The important point is that a decision has been taken to...

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, there is no date for it at the moment.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Legislation is promised in this area. Everyone will be aware that a very public consultation has taken place on the Green Paper on Pensions and discussions will continue between the Ministers concerned.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that at all.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand the Bill is waiting to go to Committee. I cannot give the Deputy an answer to that question. I will inquire and establish what is the position.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is likely, given that the legislation is about to be given priority for the remainder of session, that it will not be taken this session.

Order of Business (2 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The health information Bill is the legislation that refers to that issue. A consultation process has just been completed and is currently being analysed.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The measures we took this year in terms of expenditure mean our expenditure plans will come in broadly on target. The problem that has arisen relates to the serious decline in tax revenue across nearly all tax heads, a reduction in the order of 13% this year. This will have an impact on our opening position next year also. Our strategy involves a collective effort by all stakeholders,...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer Deputy Kenny directly, he makes the case that there should be €5 billion in cutbacks next year. That is a matter to be decided by Government in terms of the credible timeframe in which——

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——we can restore balance in the budget without damaging the economy unduly. We have set up a process by which we will do this and we have ensured that our expenditure programmes this year have come in on schedule. A difficulty has arisen in that 13% of projected revenue was not raised this year. We must react to this position, but we should not do so by adding taxes to the economy...