Results 12,361-12,380 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand that should be handled some time this year. We are working on that at the moment.

Order of Business (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand there was some indication as a result of this matter being raised in the House that we try to accommodate dealing with this issue in the mental capacity Bill mentioned by Deputy Lynch.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As stated below, two limited companies have agreements for the provision of full-time services to my Department or to the bodies under its aegis. One limited company is currently contracted to provide a full-time, on-site technical resource to my Department to assist in the operation and maintenance of my Department's IT and PC Network. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has an agreement...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The information sought by the Deputy is set out below. It is my intention to attend the EU-US Summit which will be held on 5 April in Prague where EU leaders will meet with US President Barack Obama. The summit will address issues of global financial architecture and consequences of the financial crisis, energy and climate change and broader foreign policy topics. I have also received an...

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: They are to come out this morning. The live register to the end of March was 371,300, which represents an increase of 16,863 on last month. The standardised unemployment rate for March is expected to be 10.9%. The rate has continued to rise strongly but it has shown some signs of abating. A fall is, however, unlikely in coming months and seasonal factors mainly associated with holidays in...

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: As stated on previous occasions, it is not for me to become involved in a contretemps with the Leader of the Opposition regarding any policy documents he may put forward. When they have been properly examined and assessed, such documents should be debated in the House. There are aspects to the Deputy's proposals about which we have serious concerns.

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I would prefer if such matters were dealt with as part of a formal debate. I look forward to the opportunity to debate these proposals in detail. The introduction of the budget next week will allow people to provide their initial views on the Deputy's proposals. I do not wish to seem churlish or to give the impression that I am not prepared to consider everything. However, we would be...

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——the implications of so doing and the extent to which such a development would contribute to competition and innovation. I do not wish to say any more than that. Deputy Kenny has put forward a policy document and we can debate it when the opportunity arises. In the context of rising unemployment and during a period in which the economy is contracting to a considerable degree, we are...

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that the Government, in tandem with the State agencies, is not seeking to find a solution to this problem or a viable way forward for the company in question. There have been some serious expressions of interest and, as the Deputy is aware, our efforts in respect of the company are ongoing. Government Deputies and Ministers and other Members have been seeking a solution that...

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: First, what will keep people in employment, which is the objective of the Government as well as everyone else, is to obtain and provide a viable way forward for the company. Deputy Gilmore is not alone in his concern or in relation to the work that has been ongoing on this matter for some months.

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Second, the Government will make every effort consistent with obtaining a viable proposal with the purpose of having an aircraft maintenance facility in Ireland. That is the purpose for which the work is ongoing, with the agencies as well. I presume the Deputy does not regard the people in IDA Ireland or Enterprise Ireland as being not interested in trying to maintain employment, although...

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is predictable but I heard political attacks coming from his spokesperson this morning. There is no harm in balancing that out for a moment. We are focused on trying to see if there is a way forward that will maintain employment in a viable way.

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is a continuing evaluation taking place and discussions are ongoing in regard to that matter. That is not the done deal Deputy Stagg would suggest it is, much as I wish it were, but we are working to see if there is a viable way forward.

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. I travelled to the United States on 14 March accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Mícheál Martin. On Sunday, 15 March, I launched a major review of Ireland-US relations entitled, Ireland and America: Challenges and Opportunities in a New Context. This review, prepared by the ambassador at my request, reflects...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I discussed immigration reform with President Obama and he is open on the issue. It is a difficult domestic issue in the United States for many reasons and there are many caucuses apart from the Irish caucus that have an interest in it. Finding a comprehensive approach to immigration reform is the best way forward in terms of engaging the Administration and, most importantly, Congress,...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The US President confirmed a US envoy to Ireland would be appointed. I welcomed this as an envoy has a role to play in the bedding down of the peace process. Most important, the contribution of the United States in emphasising the economic dividend of the peace process has been highly effective. It has leveraged much goodwill and investment projects not only in Northern Ireland but the...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: My apologies for being at variance with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. That is unforgivable.

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Wolf Blitzer was the gentleman's name in CNN. The official position is that the EU is currently taking a common position on this matter and is engaging with the United States on the Guantanamo issue. All countries have adopted a common position. When asked a straight question, I made the point, which I stand over, that Ireland will not be found wanting in terms of making some contribution...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: That will have to be taken into account. It was not intended that they would be set up immediately. The consulate in Atlanta will be set up in the first instance and Houston in due course. It is hoped that this can be done from within existing resources. We have to take cognisance of the financial situation also, but I believe those consulates will emerge in time as the priorities suggest.

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Deputy for his comments. The question of the undocumented Irish is a very difficult and long-standing issue. There are real hardships and human consequences to the inability, thus far, to regularise people so that they can come and go. People miss funerals of family members and are not in a position to attend other functions one would hope they could attend. This tells a tale...