Results 11,481-11,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Any increase in unemployment must be dealt with to the best extent possible. To compare this with earlier times and the comment regarding 100,000 people out of work is to make comparisons with a totally different country.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The last time this figure was exceeded we were talking about 15% or 16% unemployment. The current figure represents approximately 9.1% or 9.2% unemployment. I make that point while in no way diminishing the position. There are far more people at work now, and having seen figures recently, there are still approximately 1.88 million people working. It is important to make that point. There...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the other fiscal measures referred to by the Deputy we must work within the budgetary parameters set out for ourselves and we will work, both internally in Government and with social partners, to see what way we can help those people who lose their job in training, upskilling or reskilling. We will also look to other measures to see what way we can identify those jobs which...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not an either-or situation. We must bring stability to the public finances and without that, the question of progress or regaining prosperity and growth does not arise. We must stabilise the public finance position. It is not a fixation exclusive of all other considerations but a necessary part of the rectification and correction needed to ensure Ireland comes through this very...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am answering questions posed by the leader of the Labour Party. While I acknowledge and accept that the rate of acceleration in unemployment is alarming, indicates the scale of the crisis with which we must deal and compounds the issue, it must be recognised that we are facing into our difficulties knowing that far more people are at work than ever before. The number in employment reached...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Behind every statistic is a reality. I refer, for example, to families whose concerns are being exacerbated by the fact that their job security is at risk. I understand those concerns. I acknowledge that the unemployment rate of 9% is still too high and is rising. The Department of Finance, in the figures it submitted to the European Commission, has taken account and made provision in...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore stated that the way to proceed is to stabilise the economy rather than the public finances. There is a need to do both. One cannot stabilise the economy if one's deficits are increasing to 10%, 11% or 12%. The old-fashioned thinking is that this can be done.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: During a previous period of difficulty, we saw what happened when decisions were deferred and when borrowing and taxation on income, labour, etc., were increased. I am sure what was done during those periods represented a genuine attempt on the part of the then Government to deal with the situation as best it could. I do not minimise the problems faced by that Administration because times...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not just because jobs are being lost; it is because we are not competitive. Our cost base vis-À-vis those of our competitors is too high. We announced that we intend to obtain a reduction in electricity prices. We must work with the regulator and those involved in the energy market in order that this might happen.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The discussions with the social partners do not merely relate to the public finances. They also involve how we support enterprise and use the resources that will be available in the area of social welfare as a result of joblessness. We must identify those whose jobs are at risk and provide them with job maintenance programmes before they lose those jobs. Discussions in this regard are at...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the idea that we are fixated with one aspect rather than all aspects of the problem. We have to acknowledge to the Irish public today that during the course of this year, as we see a contraction in the economy, we will see more unemployment. We must be straight with people and say this will happen. This is also incorporated in the figures we have been discussing. That is...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Unemployment has now reached 330,000. The official figures on where finances will need to be at the end of the year could well incorporate an unemployment figure of up to 400,000, which is well over 10% of the total workforce.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am making the point that we have to be straight with people. If one is in a recession, there are job losses and casualties.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have listened in silence to what Deputies have to say.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: If Deputy Connaughton has something to say in the course of the day, I will be glad to hear it. In the meantime, under this procedure, I am entitled to make these points. We must do everything possible to maintain jobs in the economy and I assure the House we can and will do so. However, we cannot delude ourselves that not trying to stabilise the public finances would in some way keep more...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We need a viable plan and are doing all we can. The Minister from the area is working with Deputies from all sides of the House who have a similar concern about the issue. The Government and line Ministers concerned are also trying to find a way which would maintain a production capacity in Waterford. This is the outcome we would all like. As Deputies are aware, as a receiver has been...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. The names, titles and total annual salary, including pension contributions, of each of the staff appointed by me are detailed in the table. Under the direction of the programme manager, the primary function of the special advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and ensure...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, those who have a pension entitlement by way of their employment, for example, advisers who have a previous work record as public servants — some of the individuals in question are in that position — will be subject to the same arrangements as any other public servant based on the decision that was made. I have indicated that those who do not have such an arrangement and for...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a situation I arranged for and agreed to, on the basis of the heavy workload of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, and the extensive reform programme in which she is engaged. Not only is the policy advice available to her, it is available to the whole Government and covers a range of issues. It was an arrangement I was prepared to enter into in view of the...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The 3% payroll savings will apply across all Departments. It is how we provided for savings in that area and they are departmental targets. I have also indicated that the offices of Ministers and Minister of State should seek to reduce costs by 10% this year, which is a political decision I made yesterday. We must show every effort to reduce costs in all areas of activity, including the...