Results 11,661-11,680 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is true. It does nothing——

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I reject that accusation.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I reject that accusation as being without foundation.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I absolutely and totally reject it.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do reject it, without any equivocation.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is one Bill we are putting forward on the multi-units, and the other one is this session.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The debate is to discuss the decision.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Later this year.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Apply if you want.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: No.

Order of Business (11 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I did not say that.

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The Deputies will be aware that agreement was reached at the December European Council that, if the Lisbon treaty comes into force, all member states would retain a Commissioner. It was also agreed that a number of other concerns of the Irish people, which I spelled out at the Council meeting, would be addressed satisfactorily,...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The December Council conclusions guide the Government in this matter. They have given us until June to ascertain whether we can agree texts with our colleagues and until the forming of a new Commission to decide when a referendum is to be held. As Deputy Kenny noted, I met the Opposition leaders, both before and perhaps after the Council meeting. They gave me their views on the matter and...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said, the timeline to which I am working is outlined in the December conclusions. We have until the specified time; it is not a question of waiting until then. We should get on with the work, do it as quickly as possible and see what options are available to the country. It is my strong view, particularly in the context of the economic and financial crisis with which all of Europe and...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the question on the conclusions in December and what they mean, we obtained political commitments and we are now embarking on detailed discussions as to what legal texts can be agreed with partners regarding the issues outlined in the December conclusions. The change that will take place in respect of the Commissioner can be taken by decision of the European Council but the...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be surprised to hear I do not agree with him at all. The idea that one is precluded from putting a question to the Irish people, or that it is in some way a negation of democracy, is at variance with the facts. If the people's voice is to be respected — it has been and will be unless there is a change — we will simply address the issues that cause concern. People are...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The question of adoption of whatever is agreed between ourselves and our partners on the issues outlined in the December Council conclusions would need to be agreed at a meeting of the European Council at heads of Government and state level. That could be the meeting in March, the meeting in June or a special meeting. Such a meeting can be convened at any time, it is up to the Presidency to...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not see it arising at the moment but, as the Deputy is aware, a lot of work can take place in two or three weeks if it can be agreed. Whether we can make that degree of progress, where the Presidency can organise a consensus around text which has yet to be presented, remains to be seen. We had a meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee on Europe last week and I said that we need to move on...

Constitutional Amendments. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I did not anticipate the purview of these questions extending to the question Deputy Kenny asked. The Chief Whip has indicated that he is available to speak to committee Chairmen, Whips or whoever regarding this matter which has arisen in recent days. The question of people coming before committees was governed by the case mentioned by the Deputy, and the case of In re Haughey before that,...

Official Engagements. (17 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 15, inclusive, together. On 22 December I visited Pristina in Kosovo along with the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea. We had a cordial meeting with the President and Prime Minister during which I congratulated them on their efforts to implement the Ahtisaari proposals, including the adoption of the constitution in June 2008. While in Kosovo, I...