Results 11,881-11,900 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand that it is expected in this session which will give the Deputy an opportunity to state her views. To complete my response to Deputy Varadkar's question, the composition of the board is a matter of deciding on the best and most efficient way of doing board business. One should not attribute any recent systems failures to the personnel outlined in his question. That is an unfair...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no Departmental remuneration arrangements within my Department which are currently in excess of a benchmarking recommendation or a recommendation from the Review Body on Higher Remuneration. This also pertains to the bodies under the aegis of my Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no designated economist positions in my Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department is considering the detailed arrangements that will be required to implement the cycle to work scheme provided for under Section 7 of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 2008. My Department is currently in discussions with the Government Supplies Agency on how the proposed scheme might be put into operation and the correct procurement procedures put in place.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Bringing stability to our public finances is a huge, ongoing challenge. It is a misrepresentation of what the Tánaiste said to suggest that all our work is done either for this or future years. This is an ongoing situation which is evolving all the time. It will require continuing adjustment by Government to take whatever decisions are necessary to keep our public finances in a stable...

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We have to recognise that everything is linked and interdependent. We cannot bring order to our public finances unless we continue with the fiscal consolidation strategy we have only begun. We have said clearly that the €2 billion that was required, which is consistent with the framework agreed with the social partners, was a necessary first step in terms of its benefits and the message...

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny proposes that I scrap the budget that raised €2 billion in taxes.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy said we should scrap the budget, and before that he said our response was inadequate. He cannot have it every way. The bottom line is this. I want to cut through the nonsense. We have a gap in our public finances of more than €17 billion as things stand. We have indicated the scale of the adjustment that needs to be made——

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——over the next few years in regard to taxation and expenditure.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We have begun the process by introducing savings of €2 billion. We have also indicated through the McCarthy committee, which is examining all areas of public expenditure, and the Commission on Taxation——

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——that all aspects of taxation will need to be considered. We have agreed a framework with the social partners which outlines the areas we need to address.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We do not have a basis for re-engagement at the moment but we are clearly making the point that the Government must get on with governing the country. We want to see people get behind us in a national effort.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: What we have to do is to cut through the nonsense and face up to the fact that it is only through working together that we can implement the necessary measures.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are committed to doing so and we will do so. Deputy Kenny agrees with many things in principle, yet he comes here and opposes everything in practice.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not believe industrial relations strife or strikes will contribute very much towards addressing the problems we have. They will contribute nothing, in fact. I recognise the right, in a democratic society, of any person to withdraw his or her labour or to protest; that is entirely within our democratic way of life. However, it does not add anything to the situation.

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the question of discussions with the unions, I outlined before Christmas my preparedness to enter intense discussions during the month of January to consider a comprehensive framework for addressing the current issues, which was agreed on 28 January with the social partners. Unfortunately, we were not able to reach a consensus on the first item, which was the necessity, as I have...

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: What I have heard is agreement in principle with regard to the €2 billion but not agreement to proceed as we have outlined. I have said constantly, and I remain of the view——

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——that the partnership process has much to contribute in the context of the economic and financial crisis that confronts us. I agree with David Begg that it would be unwise to resume formal negotiations unless there is a reasonable degree of confidence that agreement on all the central elements can be found. While I remain available for dialogue with the social partners, the basis for a...

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree with Deputy Gilmore in one respect but disagree in another. I agree in respect of the belief I have stated clearly in this House, on the numerous occasions on which I was accused of prevarication and being unprepared to make the necessary decisions or of holding discussions that were going nowhere, that the best way of solving the crisis facing this country is for everyone to get...

Leaders' Questions (25 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: All the baggage has to be left outside the door.