Results 12,381-12,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, I did not seek those assurances because I have accepted those I have received to date. I would not regard it as very diplomatic to question, at the first meeting with a new US President, the assurances I have received. It would not be very sensible or judicious. Given that the US Administration is closing Guantanamo and that the question of rendition thereto arose internationally in...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The new President had already made his position clear. One way to make friends is not to question the assurances one has already received. It is not necessary to question them. There has been no evidence whatsoever of any rendition from this country and we have received assurances to that effect. There are many people who would like to suggest there is rendition but there is none.

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry but I am not getting involved in an argument with the Deputy. I am answering the question he has raised and giving him my strong view on these matters. There is no equivocation by my Government on these matters. There is none on either the issue itself or the nature of the assurances I have received from a country that I regard as a friend of this country. On Deputy Naughten's...

Official Engagements. (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes. We have set out in our strategic review ways and means by which, short of granting citizenship entitlement, we could recognise people's Irish ancestry through certification of various kinds. The strategic review outlines ways and means by which we can develop networks beyond the Irish-American community. For Ireland, the Irish-American community should be used as a gateway to the...

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 16, statements on the European Council, Brussels; No. 14, Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); No. 15, Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; and No. 3, Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding...

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the fisheries (amendment) Bill were cleared a few weeks ago and it is progressing to detailed drafting. The heads of the education (patronage) Bill are expected shortly for consideration. The Privacy Bill is on section D of the list because it was published in 2006. The questions of defamation and privacy were to be considered. It has been published for a long time and is...

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the second matter, the moratorium decision applies to a range of people, including the temporary appointment on a fixed-term basis and the renewal of such contracts. Any exceptions to this principle, which will arise in very limited circumstances, require the prior sanction of the Minister for Finance. This sanction will be forthcoming only when the Minister is satisfied that...

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The idea was that one was supposed to have a sense of humour and laugh at it.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The financial services (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is due later this year.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: This refers to the nitrates directive and is a matter for the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Perhaps a question can be tabled on it.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is on Second Stage today and there will be an opportunity to raise these matters and obtain a reply from the Minister when Second Stage has been wrapped up.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister of State, Deputy Andrews, is seeking to extend that date for another few months, pending discussions that are ongoing with the Vietnamese authorities, so that the issue does not lapse. I will ask his office to contact the Deputy and provide her with the up-to-date situation. The Minister for Health and Children stated yesterday that, following a Government decision, she had...

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for that Bill, but we will see what we can do regarding the other matter.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the Industrial Development Bill 2008, all these matters can be discussed in that context. I make the point that the IDA is constantly——

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy obviously does not want to hear my reply.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is being prepared and we should have it for the next session.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: NORA is an oil reserve agency, just in case there is any excitement on the far side of the House.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill are expected later this year.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Whip has a working group examining that issue, and the matter will come to the House as soon as it is completed.

Order of Business (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It will be during this Dáil.