Results 12,621-12,640 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand it is due next year. I agree it has had a gestation period longer than that with which midwives would normally be acquainted.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am well aware that in the towns of County Longford they speak of nothing else.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The national monuments Bill has become-----

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The national monuments Bill is an issue that is close to everyone's heart in that part of the midlands.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I assure the Deputy the Bill will have the highest possible priority and will be brought forward as soon as possible, which will probably be some time in the future.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It should be published on 7 May.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a smart-ass comment.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: We do not have a date for the publication of the Bill but we should have the heads of the Bill in May.

Written Answers — Equal Opportunities Employment: Equal Opportunities Employment (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department exceeds the 3% employment requirement of people with disabilities with 5.9% of the current employees having disclosed disability. Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 gave legal status to this 3% employment requirement which, formerly, had been a target.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The total number of official credit cards currently held by my Department is 25. One official has a credit limit of €6,350, five of the cards have credit limits of €4,000, and the remaining nineteen have credit limits of €2,500. The following table details the annual expenditure on official departmental credit cards from 2004 to end of March 2009: Year Total amount spent on credit...

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The only legislation from my Department enacted in the years 2007 and 2009 was the Statute Law Revision Act 2007. The Act repealed some 3,200 statutes enacted before 6 December 1922. It did not originate from Brussels.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are 48 Public Servants currently serving in my Department who are in receipt of Long Service Increments at a gross cost of €135,293.27. This amount is subject to Tax, PRSI, income and pension levies.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept many of the points in the question put by the Deputy. Of course we are facing a difficult situation, and we have budgeted for a contraction of 7.7% in the economy. The figure according to the ESRI is 8.3%, although it is more optimistic about next year than we have budgeted for. There is no question that we are in difficult times. I am glad to see the ESRI shares the...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept what Deputy Bruton has to say.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: A strategy and plan are in place, as outlined in the budget.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: What we have had from the Deputy's leader is the prospect of addressing a redesign of the tax system without increasing income tax, which has no credibility whatsoever.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: In regard to our jobs strategy, first, as a prerequisite to economic recovery, we must get our public finances into order. Second, we have increased the number of placement schemes available for people who are out of work. Third, we are trying to ensure reductions in costs. We are already seeing such reductions, as well as improvements in competitiveness in terms of a reduction in wage costs.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: People in the private sector are taking decisions in order to maintain employment in the more difficult environment in which they now operate. That is happening throughout the economy.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition seeks to contend that in the short term, there is a way to mid-term growth without making a change in regard to our public finance position. We have to take the corrective action currently being taken. Everyone knows that, but the Opposition is not prepared to accept it.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition is trying to suggest there is some other, painless way forward. We will do everything we can to bring the economy through these difficulties.