Results 11,741-11,760 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am trying to achieve two things. I am trying to ensure the principle of accountability applies for anybody involved in any wrongdoing whatsoever, in this bank or any other.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The only way in which that principle of accountability can be achieved is to respect due process. The one way to ensure that people with far more resources than the Deputy or I can avoid accountability is by not respecting due process.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is fundamental to trying to get to the bottom of this problem. One of the ways we can ensure confidence in our system, externally as well as internally, is to confirm that those who have the independent statutory authority to investigate these matters are doing so. As far as I and the Government are concerned, recognising their independence, they cannot come to a conclusion soon enough....

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the other matter, which is of equal importance——

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——in terms of the leadership that must be displayed in the country and this House, it is true to say that our financial system, like others, is under continual stress. The credit crunch and the ability to access markets and credit remains a challenge facing this system now more than ever. I hold absolutely no brief for anyone who would besmirch the reputation or integrity of Irish...

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Those are the two principles upon which we are seeking to deal with these matters. There is no other motivation or reason. I reject with contempt any suggestion that I am in the business of seeking to protect anybody or do something in that respect. It is really about the Opposition seeking political advantage.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am very much in charge of this in comparison to the game being played by the Opposition.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will answer all the questions. The Opposition stated only a couple of weeks ago——

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Are we to have a discussion or a shouting match?

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Ceann Comhairle. There were a number of issues to which I wanted to respond. Deputy Kenny spoke about the need to be responsible and is worried about our international reputation. I heard him saying in this House only two weeks ago that our banks were bust. That was a nice statement from the Leader of the Opposition.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the specific matters he asked about, I heard in comments this morning that the Cabinet had made some decision to ensure people were not pursued in respect of any liabilities they may have. Nothing could be further from the truth; the Cabinet made no such decision and it is not our business to make such a decision. We have nationalised a bank, which is now in the ownership of the people,...

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The reason we have nationalised the bank is to ensure the bank functions and we retrieve whatever debts are due to it to the greatest possible extent in respect of any transaction in the bank. We made it clear that the management and board of the bank will do so according to normal banking practice. They will not be interfered with on a day to day basis by this or any other Government that...

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——it is nonsense because those debts are owed by those people to the bank and to the greatest extent that they can be collected——

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——under the terms and conditions of that they remain owing and we intend that the management and board will collect those debts——

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——to the greatest extent it is possible to do so under the terms and conditions of what was brought forward.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The contention being made is absolutely wrong. Let me emphasise again, Anglo Irish Bank was nationalised for the good——

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——of the country. If it is being contended by those who would not even support the guarantee, let alone the recapitalisation of the banks, that we should allow that bank to default, clearly the situation would have been a greater liability for the taxpayer. We need to make sure Anglo Irish Bank gets on with its business, including the repayment of debts due to it.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is unfortunate that in asking a question about 2006, Deputy Gilmore did not give me some prior notice. I cannot give him the accurate information immediately, but I will get it for him as soon as I can now that he has mentioned it here. If he had wanted an accurate answer to that, he could have put me on notice to it and I would certainly have provided it.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It was 2006 but I will get the information; I have no problem with that. I recall, however, that the decision on those matters also followed official advice.

Leaders' Questions (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will get the full explanation from the Department of Finance and will supply it to the Deputy in public in case there is any suggestion that I did something untoward or at someone's behest. I did nothing at anyone's behest; I did it on the basis of official advice on a matter which was having an effect on the trading of shares. That is my general recollection of 2006 but I will get the...