Results 11,861-11,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 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 terms of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and Turkmenistan; No. 9, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 shall continue in force...

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is a clear need to improve the position of the public finances as a matter of urgency. The proposed pension related levy is necessary to help restore balance. It is the first of a series of measures that will have to be taken in our effort to ensure our economic survival and ability to compete. There is no doubt that it represents an imposition but the public service pay and pensions...

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand that could be taken next week.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Later this week.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The second matter is a matter for the Whips. In respect of the first piece of legislation to which the Deputy referred, I do not believe it is possible to indicate a date at this point.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot indicate a date.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand that matter is on Report Stage, an advanced Stage of enactment in the House. If there are amendments which the Deputy wishes to put down and if she wishes to pursue a point, I am sure that opportunity can be afforded on that occasion.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The third Bill is due later this year. The Bill to deal with the better regulation agenda is also perhaps due later this year although the party opposite has criticised us for too much regulation not too little.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Fine Gael view has been that regulation has been far too heavy.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Varadkar's spokesperson has spoken.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Some people have a facility to upset everyone in the House equally no matter what side of the House they are on, which is a very good characteristic.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I hope more of the Opposition Deputies develop it, by the way.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the first Bill it is due in the next session.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will have to come back to the Deputy to answer that question. The real issue is to make sure that we maintain the benefits up to the years we are talking about at the moment before extending it.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I think the Deputy is referring to the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The commitment was in respect of the IMO issue.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We were prepared to look into that matter in good faith to see if there was a way around that but it was not extended to others.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The statement at the time would indicate to the Deputy what the commitment was.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That Bill is on Second Stage. A matter of prolonged discussions within social partnership was the need to ensure that we have a proportionate and practical response in these areas. One cannot attribute the failures in FÁS, brought forward primarily by Dáil scrutiny, to the fact that there were employee representatives on the board. That is not the reason for the problem.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I certainly do not attribute it to that. That is a poor reflection on the many employee representatives who conscientiously worked hard on that board. As a former Minister with responsibility for labour affairs I know that, and that reflects badly, if unintentionally, on people who are trying to ensure that FÁS policies have regard to that perspective.