Results 11,121-11,140 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The questions relate to the public service transformation project in which we are now engaged. There are ongoing reforms in the public service. Many of the pay agreements are based on agreed changes in work practices, etc. It is not a question of having a public service that mirrors exactly what it was in 1922, 1962, 1982 or 1992. Several initiatives have taken place which have brought...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have explained to the Deputy that I am not talking about process. I am talking about changes that now have to be negotiated with public service unions in the same way as many of those unions, or their like in other areas of the economy, are engaging in change programmes as we speak in order to survive in the marketplace in which they operate. I expect that within the next six months —...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of undertaking a comprehensive review and transformation of the public service requires in the first instance an analysis which is hopefully objective. An organisation such as the OECD is more likely to be objective than an internal review, which if conducted by the Government would immediately be regarded by the likes of Deputy Kenny as inadequate. The OECD was commissioned to...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the question of reports being commissioned by Departments, it cannot be suggested that, within our public service or within each Department, there is the total level of expertise necessary to give full and frank advice on every aspect of what is a very complex service delivery system. Even taking the number mentioned, that of 120 reports in the Department of Health and Children,...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: In respect of specific areas, the Minister has, as she is entitled to do under the various Acts, indicated the priority action she wants to be taken in the context of the service plans the Health Service Executive has presented to her for the purpose of outlining how services will be applied next year. That is part of the process. She has been able to make informed decisions based on the...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The economy was not mismanaged during the past ten years, particularly if by mismanagement the Deputy is referring to having the highest growth rate in the European economy. The latter would be an unusual description of mismanagement.

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: During the past 12 months the public finances deteriorated following the extremely rapid decrease in growth rates. As a result, the economy is now contracting. This raises serious challenges for us in the short to medium term. I intend using the social partnership process as a means of seeking to address that issue in a timeframe that is credible at home and abroad. Due to my interest in...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out that the covered institutions meet the capital adequacy ratios set out under regulatory requirements. In a statement on 28 November last, the Minister for Finance indicated his position and that he was prepared to supplement and encourage private investment in the recapitalisation of credit institutions in Ireland with State participation. On Sunday in a further...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let me say with respect to the public pay situation that the Government indicated in the budget the need for savings of 4% in payroll costs in all Departments. That is Government policy. The public pay deal contains an 11 month pay pause. In respect of a payment to be made in October of next year of 3.5%, annualised that is about a 1.1% pay increase next year. Regarding the social...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It will have to be in the new year.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: First, I will answer the Deputy on the economy. It is not true to say — nor did the Minister for Finance say despite the Deputy's attempts to portray him as so saying — that people were unaware of the overall state of the international economy until this June. The Minister was referring to the mid-term Exchequer returns. On the emergence of these returns, the Government took action to...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I disagree with Deputy Gilmore in respect of this. The question of the health of a bank is not dictated solely by its price in the equity markets. Every bank in the world has seen its share price reduce considerably, and it has been very considerable in Ireland. I accept that. That is because of some of the exposures that the market perceives. However, that is not the point. The...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not getting into the detail. Some banks have suggested for many months that they have no capital requirements.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Others suggest otherwise. However, in recent weeks the Minister for Finance has met a number of banks and investment businesses regarding investment matters in Irish banks. All propositions were, of course, referred on to the institutions themselves. The Minister is also aware that some existing shareholders have expressed an interest in subscribing for new capital and the Government has...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The market perception changes from day to day. It is not the issue for us. The issue for us is the health and stability of our financial system, regardless of what the market says. Our job is to maintain the stability in the financial system, and that is our sole concern. I am not in the business of playing or working the markets. The markets will go up and down depending on how they see...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is not my job. My job is to keep stability in the financial system. In that regard we are making a recapitalisation scheme available that will include existing shareholders, perhaps prospective private investors and the State. The recapitalisation proposals will come from the boards of those banks. We are prepared to participate in a recapitalisation in the interests of keeping a...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: In order to assess whether that will be the full subscription of the State participation we will have to wait and see the proposals by the banks. People cannot expect us to speculate on what the proposals will be but let us be clear that the statement we put forward has been accepted as the policy position of the Government. We await particular proposals and when they are made we will deal...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re joint sitting to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the first sitting of Dáil Éireann; No. 9, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the three interim economic partnership agreements; No. 10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a Council framework decision on the European evidence...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The committees will return to the House on 7 January and be ongoing with their work. International trade missions will also be conducted by Ministers in an effort to secure and maintain jobs and keep markets open for products and services which are fundamental to the State. A special sitting of the House is being suggested to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the First Dáil which will be in...

Order of Business (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I hope it will be a dignified occasion to which we can all rise. I look forward to contributing on that day. I do not wish to reopen issues that have been dealt with already in Leaders' Questions but on the whole question of underwriting, EGMs, share issues or prospectuses having to be drawn up, there is a range of issues that must be dealt with under company law before that comes about....