Results 11,981-12,000 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is different to the soundings I got in this House about decentralisation when I was Minister for Finance or even now that I am Taoiseach. That is fair enough because we do not all have to rule with an iron consistency. To answer the Deputy's question, I can only answer based on what is available to my Department. There will be fit-out costs which must be included in the equation. I make...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government decided in October 2008 to defer any further decision on those matters until 2011. As the Deputy says, the context in which sites are being held under the management of the OPW relates to that decision and therefore there will be no change in their status until 2011 at the earliest. At that stage the Government will revisit the issue, having completed the present stage by...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of whether the Deputy is entitled to a reply, if the matter is outside the ambit of my Department. However, I am trying to be as helpful as I can be. Since I do not have direct responsibility for the programme I cannot be asked. It is not a question of not meeting the Deputy's entitlements. Of course I shall meet his entitlements, if the questions relate to my...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Absolutely — I am always as helpful as I can be to the Deputy.

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Deputy.

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: From recollection in my previous capacity, the Decentralisation Implementation Group has brought a number of reports to the attention of Government in respect of implementation of the programme and from memory one of them relates to the question of ensuring there is sufficient capacity available to Ministers in respect of their responsibilities here in the Dáil and in respect of their...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am working from memory, but I think the Decentralisation Implementation Group had a view on that which would allow the Minister retain certain core personnel in Dublin as well. That Aireacht idea has arisen subsequently in the context of discussion and negotiation with trade unions and employee representative groups. I believe the implementation group has come up with a solution that...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question——

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of duplication. It is a question of having a facility available to a Minister were he or she to be located there and working from there and having an office in Dublin. It is not a question of having just one office per Ministry and having to decide where that might be. From an efficacy point of view, a Minister must have the ability to operate from whatever location...

Decentralisation Programme. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: No office space has been vacated in the city by the Department of the Taoiseach's office. I reject Deputy Bannon's contention that there was any deception. There are 40 locations with decentralised staff under the programme. There are 12 locations where sufficient progress has not been made for that to happen. As the Deputy knows, there have been particular industrial relations issues in...

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. The corporate procurement plan in place in my Department was developed to implement the requirements of the national procurement policy framework published by the Department of Finance. It reflects my Department's commitment to effective and efficient resource allocation and service provision as prescribed by the Public Service...

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that sort of detailed information. I can answer in a general manner. The unit has been set up within the Office of Public Works and works to leverage the public service's buying power and organises procurement across the public service of common goods and services such as office equipment, furniture, vehicles, electricity and fuel. Where better value for money can be obtained...

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand my Department has complied with the direction on reducing——

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I believe so. I do not have specific details but I will get them for the Deputy. I am sure this has been complied with. A meeting has been sought by the PRII. I recall seeing correspondence to that effect. I do not know whether a meeting has been set. I have no problem meeting its representatives and I will let the Deputy know the outcome.

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That question would be best put to the Minister of State. The task force established to set out how to implement the recommendations of the report published in July reported before Christmas and the Minister of State is in the process of setting up all of that now. A question to him would be better, as I can give only the information I have.

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes, he has that policy responsibility.

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Procurement policy and practice must conform to certain core principles and must be accountable, competitive and non-discriminatory, provide for equality of treatment and be fair, transparent and conducted with probity and integrity. As the Deputies have stated, those kinds of consideration have come into play in respect of what were formally known as "Buy Irish" campaigns, which did not...

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, it related to where professional fees are charged on the basis of contractual arrangements between professionals providing the State with services. The tendering process deals with the question of value for money more generally. As for Deputy Ó Caoláin's points, the issue pertains to the introduction of reforms such as e-auctioning, whereby people could offer a price on a certain...

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is and I do not have the specific answer for Deputy Doyle. However, I take the point, in respect of the preparation of tenders, on the need to do things, which obviously are legal, and no one would ask anyone to do anything that was not above board, but to do them in a way that is helpful.

Departmental Procurement Policies. (3 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is something that should be considered.