Results 11,561-11,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said, we have a voluntary system of industrial relations in this country, and employers and unions agreed a pay deal last September. There is flexibility within that pay deal for those companies that wish to claim inability to pay. If companies that have profits and are in a position to pay decide to proceed with payment, they will be in compliance with the pay deal that was agreed...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I refer to the agreement that was formally adopted and endorsed by representative bodies on both sides after the negotiations were completed. What was Deputy Kenny's other question?

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: At last Tuesday's press conference, I was asked what attitude I would take in respect of proposals that might be made in respect of the levy. I indicated that if the scheme had the effect that was being suggested in some quarters, we would examine it. I did not say we would not look at it. Obviously, the substance of any proposal would have to be considered. I made it clear that its...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the contentions of either Deputy Ó Caoláin or Deputy Gilmore in terms of what they had to say. Deputy Ó Caoláin is the first, I understand, to question the good faith of the partners, including the Government, on the detailed and long negotiations that took place. No one who came out of those talks — people with whom we have been dealing on an ongoing basis —...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will come to that point, but I want to make this first point, namely, that the Deputy is incorrect because he is trying to suggest there was some sort of a predetermined outcome here. That was not the situation. We tried over a period of weeks, as I said we would, to see if it was possible to obtain consensus on the matter. It was not possible, unfortunately, but the Deputy does not have...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, it is not just the Government's. The Deputy is wrong on that and he should accept he is wrong.

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have listened to those who represent other interests at those talks, but the assertions the Deputy made were not made by anybody else. Deputies will be aware also that the talks covered a long agenda linked to the headline issues under the framework agreed some days before. Each issue required lengthy and detailed consideration in turn and, in accordance with normal practice in these types...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy suggested it. I heard that it——

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That was suggested within hours of the breakdown. That was the picture that was painted. What was first broadcast on radio, namely, the first couple of inserts on "Morning Ireland", became the picture. That is incorrect. With regard to the points made by Deputy Gilmore, there are instances where the pay agreement is being honoured, or has been paid. As Deputies know, there are...

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The question of fairness can be an objective or subjective matter. I do not deny for a moment that this is an imposition on public service workers. It is set against a context in which adjustments are being made across all sectors of the economy, including the private sector, to deal with an unprecedented situation. I must emphasise the seriousness of the situation in which we find...

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: When the legislation is produced and provided to the House for discussion, the Deputy can examine it in considerable detail. He will find that some of the suggested anomalies will not in fact exist when all considerations and the various credits and allowances are taken into account. In regard to the amounts, the estimated savings take into account the revenue lost on the other side. In the...

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Part of the purpose of the discussions on this matter is to provide reassurance to people who work honestly and reasonably, taking account of changed circumstances, with the bank or lender to reschedule mortgage arrangements that there will be no precipitative effort by financial institutions, including those outside the voluntary code who must now, in my opinion, sign-up to the statutory...

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out in response to Deputy Gilmore's question about identifying the bad debt provision that all bad debts are provided for in the accounts. Deputy Gilmore is asking me to predict what will be the performance of individual loans, be they residential or commercial mortgages. That cannot be predicted in the here and now. The suggestion is being made that provision is...

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is the case.

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The point was made that there are different laws in respect of different people. That is not the case.

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: No. What we are trying to do is, first, to ensure that assets that can perform do perform and, second, to provide reassurance to people who get into difficulties in respect of their principal private residence. What I am saying in respect of the latter is that reassurance will be provided. People who make contact, as they have been doing up to now — one must take into consideration the...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re referral to Select Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2009; No. 9, motion re referral to Select Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Stabilisation and Association Agreements between the European Communities and the Republic...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy said, this is a legal requirement regarding the capital carryover. It represents approximately 1.4% of the total revenue position for voted capital in 2008 being brought into 2009. As the Deputy is aware, there are arrangements for the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service at any time to invite before it the various authorities which are responsible for major...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Funding was provided in the Estimates this year to begin this scheme. The question of taking Committee Stage after Second Stage is a matter for the Whips. There is usually a two-week interval for Members to prepare amendments if they wish. I am not aware there is any particular problem with the——

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the first Bill referred to by the Deputy were cleared last week and that work is proceeding as a matter of priority. On the question of the code of practice regarding mortgage issues being put on a statutory basis, that is being prepared and will be brought forward. The Financial Regulator is finalising arrangements in regard to how it will work and it should be available...