Results 11,061-11,080 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

National Economic and Social Forum. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 10, inclusive, together. The fifth periodic report on the work of the National Economic and Social Forum was published in July of this year. As required under Section 8(2)(c) of the National Economic and Social Development Act, the report was submitted to Government prior to publication. Copies of the report have also been laid in both Houses of the...

National Economic and Social Forum. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the contention that there has not been major investment in young people in this country. On the contrary, billions of euro are being expended in respect of child care and early child care supplement. There has been a doubling and more in the education budget in recent years together with an historic capital investment programme to improve the working environment in which...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The results from samples taken from 11 of the 35 restricted herds do not have significant implications. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is satisfied that while there was technical non-compliance in three herds, eight were clear. The level of increased levels of PCBs over proposed levels in beef does represent a risk to the public. There is no reason for a product recall of beef because...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will certainly reply as factually as I possibly can. In no way is the purpose of these discussions to erode confidence in the products mentioned by the Deputy. The precautionary principle, which is being applied in the pork and beef situations, is the proper principle to apply in the interests of maintaining confidence in Irish products. A decision was taken on foot of the facts as they...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is correct that we want pork products back on the shelves as quickly as possible. An assurance can be given that, post-recall, all Irish pork products on shelves at home and abroad will be proper and appropriate products. Those ten production units on the nine farms identified as being in receipt of the contaminated feed are restricted and no product from those farms will find...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Of course there is an urgency to this, but it is also necessary to show a degree of calm and demonstrate the comprehensiveness of the Government's response as a means of bolstering confidence. We should not project beyond the scientific facts of the situation, because people will start to add two and two and get six, and that is not a good thing, particularly when one is talking about...

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 6 Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008 — financial resolutions; No. 7, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council framework decision amending framework decisions; No. 8, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council framework decision on the European evidence warrant; No. 23,...

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Gas (Amendment) Bill is on Report Stage, which could be taken next week perhaps. I am not sure but it is possible. The shooting in East Wall on Sunday night is a deeply disturbing development. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. O'Kane and the local community. What makes it deeply disturbing is the apparent youth of the people involved. The Garda Síochána is...

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: A number of important criminal justice issues have been brought forward by the Administration and I am sure there are more to come to try to deal with the problems that are arising in modern society. On the question of anti-social behaviour and anti-social behaviour orders, the legislation requires that a sequence must be followed before one can be issued. This involves formal warnings...

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand the employment agency regulation Bill will be available in January. We appreciate the difficulties faced by people who lose their jobs, particularly at this time of the year, and the Department of Social and Family Affairs has put a range of measures in place to deal with the increased workload. I note what the Deputy said about a particular part of his constituency and I will...

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The explosives bill is due next year. Since Operation Anvil was instigated in 2005, more than 2,200 firearms have been taken out of circulation and more work continues. There has been an effective rate of success by the Garda in that aspect of its work under Operation Anvil.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand the Department of Education and Science is considering alternative arrangements regarding the education Ireland Bill. The Department and the Government are considering the preparation and the publication of a Bill relating to vocational education committees. The Student Support Bill is awaiting Committee Stage and I cannot give a reason it has not been taken.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I cannot give a date next year for the second Bill the Deputy inquired about but the animal health and welfare Bill is in a process of consultation with various stakeholders before it can be proceeded with.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be published late next year.

Finance (No. 2) Bill 2008: Financial Resolutions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I move the following Financial Resolutions: THAT section 768 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997), which provides for a tax deduction for the acquisition of know-how for use in a trade, be amended in the manner and to the extent specified in the Act giving effect to this Resolution. THAT the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (No. 39 of 1997) be amended in the manner and to the...

Report of Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the EU: Statements (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am pleased, in this important week before the European Council, to have this opportunity to address the House on the recently completed report of the Sub-Committee on Ireland's Future in the European Union. We owe a great debt of gratitude to the sub-committee: to its Chairman, Senator Pascal Donohue, its Vice Chairman, Deputy Timmy Dooley, the members and the many witnesses, all of whom...

Written Answers — Departmental Travel: Departmental Travel (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: My Department and the agencies under its remit are in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. My Department has a travel policy which is applicable to all staff and which sets out the policy regarding appropriate means of travel to be used. Foreign travel arrangements are centrally co-ordinated by my Department's Finance Unit which ensures that the travel...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy regarding staff employed in the Private and Constituency Offices of the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department is detailed in the tables below. The Constituency Office of the Minister of State for European Affairs is based in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Office of the Government Chief Whip — Private Office Number...

Leaders' Questions (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Discussions between the Government and the Irish pig processing sector adjourned early this morning and resumed at 10 o'clock this morning. Progress was made during the discussion and I remain confident of achieving an outcome which will facilitate the early resumption of processing. There is no lack of urgency on the part of the Government; it is acutely aware of the impact the suspension...

Leaders' Questions (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We took the decisive action over the weekend. If his position is that we should have taken into account commercial considerations at the same time as dealing with the primacy of the consumer issue——