Results 11,381-11,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: The catcalling and heckling started before I opened my mouth.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: My job is to set out the Government's position on all these issues.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: I remind Deputy Kenny that bringing stability to the banking system continues to be one of the Government's top priorities. This issue is being dealt with by every government in the world that is concerned with the difficulties being faced in the global financial system.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny mentioned that he called for recapitalisation when that approach was being taken in the UK. At that time, I made the point, which I emphasise again today, that the Irish banking system has not suffered from the sub-prime mortgage problem that has been a significant feature of the British banking system. The British authorities had to take immediate steps to recapitalise the...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: While I do not expect that this sort of behaviour will end on the Deputy's part, I reject it with the contempt it deserves.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: In regard to small and medium sized enterprises and first-time buyers, we have indicated the need to ensure there is access to credit lines. This is something in which we are engaged. The availability of mortgage support and mortgage finance is increasing by 30% over last year and by 10% for medium sized enterprises in respect of access to credit lines. The independent directors we have...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not know who writes Deputy Kenny's quips but I hope he can get somebody to improve them.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: In regard to mortgage issues, it is important to point out that the information up to June was that there were some 127 repossession orders out of the total of 1 million mortgages. Thankfully, thus far — this issue is being monitored on an ongoing basis — the number of mortgages in stress is much lower when compared with the situation in the United Kingdom. This is an issue we must...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware there are well established mechanisms to establish the full picture of what went wrong in the bank. The Financial Regulator is carrying out its own investigation and I understand will report back to a committee of this House on the matter. The Director of Corporate Enforcement is also investigating behaviour in the bank. Those two mechanisms available to us are...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: First, I say to Deputy Gilmore that I reject again the assertion made forcefully by him this morning that the Government will in some way ensure that the rigours of the law or the full mechanisms that are available for investigation will not be applied or applied independently, respecting the independence of those offices. I reject that. They will be applied. I have confidence in the...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: The political opportunity to suggest otherwise is something that could not be passed this morning.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: I also have confidence in the new chairman of the bank. I have confidence in the integrity of those who were appointed in the public interest by the Government as directors of the bank——

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——including Frank Daly, a former chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, Mr. Alan Dukes, a former Minister for Finance——

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——and Mr. Maurice Keane. I have confidence in those people in terms of their commitment to proper corporate governance in the bank. I want to make that clear.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the other matter Deputy Gilmore raised, the Minister was aware from contacts between the Department of Finance and the Financial Regulator over the course of last year that a large overhang of shares as held by a particular investor and related persons, that this was considered by the bank and the market to be a source of instability and that the institution was seeking some...

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——either as Minister or as Taoiseach.

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: Excuse me Deputy——

Leaders' Questions (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——a specific question has been asked and I want to clear any doubt about the matter. As a result of the due diligence process recently undertaken on behalf of the Minister, certain matters in connection with transactions involving the Quinn stake in the bank came to the attention of the Minister which may warrant further investigation by the Financial Regulator. Anglo Irish Bank has now...

Criminal Prosecutions. (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The Government announced in July 2008 that Departments and State agencies in general were to make a 3% payroll reduction by the end of 2009. The Office of the Chief State Solicitor and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions have informed me they can meet this reduction without affecting existing levels of service. I am...

Criminal Prosecutions. (28 Jan 2009)

Brian Cowen: The DPP indicated it is not the case that he will not be able to function, but that he will be forced to hand back District Court prosecutions to the Garda. He went on to say that this was "not desirable". We do not have provision for making up the 3.5% increase that currently stands in the pay agreement and which is to fall due from September. We must continue to monitor the situation as...