Results 11,221-11,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I just explained that I have a clear political understanding with regard to obtaining legally binding guarantees as per the conclusions. We are in a work-in-progress phase. We will carry out the detailed work and when that is done, we will bring them before the House and explain them further. We will then hear from the European Council as to how it wishes to give legal effect to those...

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: To be clear, the Nice treaty says that when the Commission reaches a size of 27 members it must be reduced.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is no need for confusion.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes, let us stick to the facts. Is there sufficient generosity in Deputy Ó Caoláin to acknowledge that we have achieved, as a result of discussions and negotiations with 26 other members states, one Commissioner per member state.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Is that accepted?

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: No.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: My answer to that question is that were I to accept the "No" vote and do nothing about it I would have to have a Commissioner under the Nice treaty arrangements, which were worse than the existing Lisbon treaty arrangements. We put forward a proposal in the December Council that is better than the Lisbon treaty position.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the situation.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the legal situation and the Deputy cannot get away from it.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: What the Deputy cannot get away from is his continuous effort——

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——to suggest that to reject the Lisbon treaty puts Ireland in a better position. To reject the Lisbon treaty puts Ireland in a worse position.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Anyone who knows anything about politics or political economy understands that point. We are engaged in a democratic process. We must address the concerns that the people raised, as they are entitled to do, in terms of the democratic decision they made last May. That is what we are doing. Sinn Féin has decided to use a different tactic, namely, to go about suggesting to the Irish people...

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The other member states do not agree with Sinn Féin.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: One cannot dictate what people should do. People sometimes think one can dictate but one cannot. One must work with practicalities and realities and deal with the concerns of the Irish people. The people must be given the reassurances they need not only in respect of sensitive issue in regard to our Constitution but in regard to workers' rights and the Commission. We must give a clear...

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter, the parliamentary committee outlined various recommendations, some of which must be addressed with member state colleagues at European Council level and others which must be dealt with at national level. In the context of employment rights legislation and so on, it should be pointed out that we have a good record on employment rights. Employment rights legislation which...

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is urgency in respect of this issue. However, there are also issues to be dealt with such as how we balance workers' rights——-

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——with competitiveness issues in the interests of maintaining workers in employment, which is also a critical workers' right. We must consider these matters in a sensible way. There is no major ideological chasm between us in respecting the rights of workers, which is something to which I adhere. What we need to do is ensure this is addressed in a context that does not affect...

Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a12, motion re Spent Convictions Bill 2007; No. 25, statements on European Council, Brussels; No. 12 motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31] and, subject to the agreement of No. 12, to take Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31]; No. 4, Appropriation Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second and Remaining Stages; No. 24, Finance (No. 2) Bill...

Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I reiterate that the Government will be back at work, indeed before 7 January. There will be a Government meeting on 7 January but the Government will be back before then due to the pressing issues we are dealing with. In the course of the coming weeks I have indicated that as a result of meeting with the social partners there will be intensive discussions on bringing forward a plan for...

Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: This relates to a Supplementary Estimate to provide €50 million to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the context of the food scare that arose recently. Unfortunately, we can only apply it to people in our own jurisdiction. Question, "That the proposal to deal with No. 12 without debate, motion re leave to introduce and take Supplementary Estimate, be agreed to," put and...