Results 12,261-12,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy outlined, the procedure entails dealing with the legal services division in both the Commission and the Council, but primarily the latter. It involves the Presidency checking with other member states regarding the proposed contents of these guarantees and obtaining from them their views on giving support to the guarantees. That process is ongoing and it must harden up, as it...

Order of Business (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: One of the objectives of the Government's deliberations at present is to protect as far as possible and to the greatest extent the weakest in society as we try to stabilise the public finances and move them towards balance in the coming years. I point out that during better times this Government's record in respect of social welfare increases is a very good one, comparing most favourably...

Order of Business (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy's attention span was not as long for the answer as it was for the question.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for the Whips. I am sure the Deputy can deal with it through parliamentary questions and other mechanisms and that he can obtain from the Minister an expression of his views on these matters. I point out that the Government has yet to consider any detailed proposals. Policy initiatives in this area are as relevant as they were in respect of the response I gave to Deputy Ó...

Written Answers — Departmental Licences: Departmental Licences (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Neither my Department nor the bodies under its aegis issue licences or permits.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. Mr. Pat Carey T.D., Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence, is assigned two official drivers. Their assignment and remuneration is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I pointed out to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 98 of 11 March 2009, requests for use of Air Corps helicopters are made by Ministers' Private Secretaries to my office and are dealt with, in the first instance, by the staff of my office. The requests are examined by my staff with regard to the need for and purpose of travel, the destination and other logistical details. Any...

Written Answers — Departmental Allowances: Departmental Allowances (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no individuals in receipt of fixed car allowances within any semi-State body reporting to my Department.

Written Answers — Business Regulation: Business Regulation (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no plans at present to introduce legislation to regulate the sector mentioned by the Deputy. In relation to alleged intimidation of persons owing money by "criminal" debt collectors, the Deputy will be aware from previous replies from Ministers on the matter that such alleged intimidation and threatening behaviour of debt collectors, as with such behaviour by any other persons,...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I welcome the fact we have a commitment to reduce the Exchequer deficit to 3% by 2013. It is imperative we do this in a way that takes account of the capacity of the economy to bear the burden of the adjustment required at each step of the process over the five-year period. The strategy to eliminate the structural deficit over the medium term has to be credible to financial markets and to...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are seeking to achieve a return to the stability and growth pact guidelines of a 3% deficit by 2013. I have to take into account how to bring about a reduction in the structural deficit over that period that brings order back to the public finances in a way that does not undermine the ability of the economy to function. If Deputy Kenny believes that, regardless of the consideration we...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes but the Deputy should let me come to the point. I outlined our position as a result of the last budgetary forecast in the House. The public finances deteriorated in January and February. It has been difficult for every country because this recession has seen a fall off in tax revenues across the emerging Asian economies, the former Asian tiger economies——

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a fact around the world.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is one of the issues that one must take into account. Small, open economies are finding the impact more difficult to handle than other economies. That is also a fact. Economic recovery can be brought about only by a multi-annual approach that indicates the pathway to recovery we can achieve, and that will involve putting the public finances back into order. We must ensure that by...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That was my position. We have to sit down and organise a budget, get to the meat of the issue and decide how to return to 3% over five years in a way that is proper and right, taking into account all considerations including economic impact.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not meaningless. There is nothing meaningless about what I had to say; we are committed to restoring order in the public finances.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: We will emerge with an outcome that seeks to find a balance between the need for cuts in expenditure, the need to raise taxes and the need to revise capital programmes, all of which will happen, for several years hence in a way that protects to the greatest extent possible those whom people would like us to protect. That is not an easy task and, if necessary, based on a detailed...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I was answering a question on the day the Exchequer returns came out, based on the information available to me then, which was an honest assessment of the situation. I remain committed to bringing order to the public finances. If the Deputy wants me to do it in a way that seeks to destroy the economy, that is his view.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: If Deputy Kenny were in my position, he also would have to give due consideration to all of that as full and detailed analysis and projections for the remainder of the year become available. That is what we must do.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy can proceed with the semantics of that argument. I am saying that the Government is determined to deal with this matter in a way that seeks to find a balance that will not be easily achieved.