Results 12,201-12,220 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the context of overruns and budgetary pressures, the question of reducing costs to the Exchequer is not a matter of diverting funds but of saving them in budgets that are already under stress. The Minister for Health and Children outlined in last night's debate the extent of the overrun and the fact that a certain amount has been catered for in the service plan. The net figure she gave...

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not think they can be balanced against each other. The overall budgetary pressures on health — for example, the reduced contribution from the health levy due to the lower numbers of people in employment — are a countervailing pressure point to the saving obtained due to the 8% reduction in professional fees. If the Deputy understands my point, in the context of the full budget, the...

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It will not be going anywhere.

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot give the specifics as to when the report, which is still in preparation, will be published. However, the Department of Finance circular, which sets out the rules for the implementation of the 8% reduction, has been issued to all bodies and programmes within the Department Vote, as I said. Our Department reviews contracts in place for professional services to revise the fees down by...

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——in respect of work done on and from that date, not beforehand.

Departmental Expenditure. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, I do not.

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. The position is exactly as I outlined to the House on 18 February 2009 in reply to questions on the programme for Government. As its title suggests, the Programme for Government 2007-2012 is a programme of priorities to be delivered over a five-year period. Progress in delivering the programme is kept under review. On 24...

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I have stated on previous occasions, the work of the Government is focused on the issues of today in terms of dealing with the supplementary budget and setting out our priorities. I have made it clear that the programme for Government, which was predicated on a growth rate of 4% per annum, clearly cannot be fully implemented during the course of this term. It is obvious we are in a...

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Ar an gcéad dul síos, tá reachtaíocht á ullmhú ag na hAiríéagsúla maidir leis an chóras cheadúnais bus agus ná hábhair chomhshaoil eile a luaigh an Teachta. B'fhéidir go mbeadh an Teachta níos fearr as ceisteanna díreacha maidir leis an dul chun cinn atáá dhéanamh leis na polasaithe éagula a chur faoi bhráid na hAirí atá freagrach astu. B'fhéidir go gheobhadh sé...

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Tugann siad, ach ní bhíonn an Teachta ag éisteacht.

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Bíonn an Teachta ag caint nuair atá siad ag freagairt.

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall.

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy noted, clearly areas such as legislative change or issues which do not entail large costs can and should be progressed. I agree with that. Two issues arise in regard to the question of prioritising capital investment programmes. We must concentrate on areas which give rise to social needs or economic returns. Our scarce resources must be concentrated on work that is...

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Tá a fhios ag an Teachta go bhfuil an ghéarchéim eacnamaíochta atá againn faoi láthair chomh tromchúiseach sin nach mbeimid in ann an córas cánach a bhí againn go dtí seo a fheabhsú mar a bhí muid in ann staid an ghnáthphobail a fheabhsú gach bliain le deich mbliain anuas. Ní féidir linn sin a dhéanamh as seo amach. Beidh athruithe ag teacht ó thaobh an córas cánach de....

Programme for Government. (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: At the outset, the Government made a commitment to social partners and carer representative groups that a national carers' strategy would not just be a paper exercise. The current economic situation has made it impossible to consider introducing any developments in services for carers at this time, beyond what we have been able to provide in recent years. There have been significant...

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 9a, motion re Northern Ireland; and No. 3, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2009 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that: (1) the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted on the conclusion of Private Members' business which shall be No. 49, motion re unemployment...

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will answer the Deputy's earlier question. To have the budget on 7 April will facilitate a debate during that week and it will be reverted to subsequently on our return. As regards the question of whether financial resolutions are required, they will be passed in the normal way if that is necessary. The question of a Finance Bill can be dealt with on our return in the normal way.

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the first matter raised, the Minister for Finance will take up any requirements that the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement will have for any of its legislative responsibilities and take them forward as quickly as possible. The Director of Corporate Enforcement has the right to apply to the House for the appointment of an inspector, if he feels it is necessary. That...

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: No legislation is promised for the authority and there is no confusion about it either.

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are waiting for the below-cost selling proposal to come back from the European Commission which is still examining it. The sale of alcohol Bill will be published in the middle of this year. No date has been set for the animal welfare Bill.