Results 12,321-12,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am coming to them. I am moving along. The first Bill was published on 19 March. The Deputy should check his cubbyhole. We cannot give a date for the second one at the moment.

Written Answers — Immigrant Support Services: Immigrant Support Services (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I discussed the undocumented and immigration reform with President Obama and I believe that this is an issue that the new administration would like to see addressed. I also met with the Friends of Ireland group led by Congressman Richie Neal and also with Senators Patrrick Leahy and Chris Dodd and discussed the issue with them. Pending agreement in the United States on comprehensive...

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The number of staff employed in the Government Information Service, the Government Press Office and the communications unit is 15, ten of whom are civil servants. They are as follows: the Government press secretary, two deputy Government press secretaries, three Government press officers, a departmental information officer and...

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: No decision has been made in respect of any reviews that are taking place at present. I recall a previous parliamentary question in which information to some effect was given to the Deputy. I must check it as I do not have to hand that supplementary information.

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Well done Deputy McCormack. That was one of his better efforts. As for the press secretary, he was not acting on my instruction or that of any Minister and nor did he seek an apology, as RTE itself decided to do that.

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is well known. Just as with Deputy Kenny's own press officers, there is a fair bit of contact between them.

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: When Deputy Kenny's man does it, it is justified but when my man does it, it is not justified.

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government information service continues. A central Government information service is essential for information issuing from the Government. When the Government wishes to release information this can only be done by a central information service such as the Government information service. The Government information service has grown from early days when there were only three major...

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Is í an Ghaeilge teanga dhúchais an príomhoifigeach san oifig sin. Tá sé ar fáil chun eolas a thabhairt trí Ghaeilge do gach éinne sna meáin chumarsáide mar gheall ar an méid atá ag tarlú sa Rialtas.

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Ní chóir go mbeadh straitéis ann. Nuair a chuireann daoine glaoch ar an oifig, tá oifigigh ann chun an eolas atá á lorg a chur ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá sé ar fáil i nGaeilge.

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 9, inclusive, together. In January, the Government and social partners agreed on a framework for a pact for stabilisation, social solidarity and economic renewal. That framework acknowledged that urgent and radical action was required to restore stability to the public finances; maximise short-term economic activity and employment; and improve...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: In welcoming contributions to a process of discussion, one does not, by that token, provide prior agreement. There are a number of principles contained in the framework that are central to trying to devise a way forward. One of these principles is that which relates to stabilising the public finances. An issue that has arisen is the ongoing question of how to deal with this matter. In the...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The talks will proceed and their length will depend on the progress that can be made on the issues that arise. On the levy, there is a subjective perspective — people see it in a certain way. The wider context in which the pension levy had to be considered was the need for a €2 billion adjustment to be made as a credible response to the fiscal situation at that time. This was agreed...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: While the Chief Whip welcomed Fine Gael's proposals, they will have to be examined in detail. I do not wish to throw cold water on the initiative the Deputy took on behalf of his party but we would not necessarily agree with the approach. We are in an advanced stage of the budgetary process and it needs to be finalised over the next several days. These matters put in the public realm by...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am trying to explain the situation. Deputy McCormack opposed the levy by not voting for it. Now he is wondering if I will take it back. In his next breath he is telling me not to borrow any more and to save more money. He cannot have it every way. If he wants to play games, he can play games; he is good at it. It is about the only contribution he makes anyway. What I have to do in...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Let me make it clear; we made a decision to impose——

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry but I was just about to respond to two questions.

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I wish to make it clear that we introduced a pension levy, with which the unions could not agree and so disengaged from the talks process. Re-engagement has only commenced. It was agreed at the time that we needed to raise €2 billion, €1.4 billion of which was from a pension levy.

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I know that, but Deputy Ó Caoláin has suggested that I should defer its implementation. That seems to suggest to me that he has not yet grasped the seriousness of the position in regard to the public finances or the fact we are not in a position to defer its implementation. It is being implemented. If any proposal comes up for discussion, I will look at it and act in good faith with...

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance and his Department have not yet had an opportunity to inform the Government of that cost. However, I note the announcement by the rating agency Standard & Poors that it is revising its rating of Ireland from AAA to AA+. In considering this, one also should bear in mind the following key points. Ireland is not unique in this regard as a number of other countries...