Results 11,041-11,060 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to how many cases referred to the Government Secretariat under the procedure have received the Taoiseach's approval, seven cases coming within the terms of the guidelines have been processed so far. In September of this year, I agreed to the appointment of a consultant by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to conduct a facilitation exercise in connection...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that information but I will get it for the Deputy.

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have asked for 50% reductions in PR contracts as part of our savings in the July initiative. That has been carried out. On the question of how it is decided whether to use somebody in-house or to get somebody from outside, it is a matter in many instances for the Minister. Under the guidelines Ministers have an entitlement to bring two or three advisers with him or her to a Department...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: A committee is not involved; the Minister for Finance is involved in the approval process. Arising out of an initiative that arose some years ago, the Quigley report indicated, where a Department proposed to engage consultants, that fact must be brought to the attention of the Taoiseach where there is an element of direct service to a Minister, especially in the PR-communications area, or if...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. My Department currently has one item of legislation on the B list of the Government legislation programme, the Statute Law Revision Bill. That is the latest element in the statute law revision project. In preparation for the Bill, work has been completed on the analysis of local and personal Acts up to and including 1850, and...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the second part of the Deputy's question, I do not believe legislation will be required. I am not sure that a statutory basis should be provided when establishing a forum but obviously the preparatory committees in both the Oireachtas and the Assembly in Northern Ireland can consider the means by which it can be put in place. I welcome the establishment, at the earliest possible...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The report of the task force on the public service identified a range of actions that will require enabling statutory provision. It is likely, however, that as the report's recommendations are implemented, the case for further legislative provision will arise. The forthcoming White Paper on local government will also necessitate new legislation, which may provide an opportune vehicle for...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am aware that on one occasion there was a Minister of State in the Department of Fisheries who was regarded as an outstanding drafter of legislation. I understand his name was Deputy Eamon Gilmore.

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am just making the point that when the Deputy recalls his own particular skillsets, drafting legislation was not one of them.

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not unfair but was offered in the same spirit in which the question was asked. The legislative priorities for the Government——

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am more resilient that he thinks. The legislative priorities for the Government in the current session are as per the A list which was published in September 2008. Five of those Bills have been published and a further three that were not on the list were published. We will review the priorities for the next session in the normal course and a new list will be published in January. The...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: For the purpose of shortening the Order of Business——

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——which I would greatly welcome, I will answer. That Bill was approved by Government this week. Its purpose, simply, is to amend the Health Acts in respect of the automatic entitlement, regarding means. As the Deputy knows, the reforms we are to introduce mean that 19 of 20 existing cardholders will retain their medical card entitlement. The change will concern people on incomes well...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will check——

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware of the public announcements concerning this matter. The Bill will reflect the announcements made at the time. The welcome reform of the fee arrangements with general practitioners has enabled us to ensure that the impact will be minimal on those who were in receipt of medical cards in the past, regardless of means. Those in that age group who require medical cards...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: This week.

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Edited slightly.

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Leas-Cheann Comhairle is being a little punitive. I am making an effort to be co-operative.

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I could have sought the protection of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle but——

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Perhaps the word "precedent" should be struck from the record. I refer Deputy Kenny to the statement made by Government at the time on these matters. It involved a commitment to work to see if we could bring forward a provision under the Competition Act that would be consistent with EU law. That is where the issue must begin and that was in the public statement. The organisation concerned...