Results 12,641-12,660 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Reform in the public service is ongoing in regard to control of numbers and providing opportunities for employees to leave in a planned and regulated way. We are also seeking to implement the reforms outlined in the task force report on procurement and a range of other issues. All these initiatives are in place and were discussed here yesterday.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The suggestion from the Fine Gael Party that there is a way of moving on without the necessity to provide for an increase in taxation is simply dishonest.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The party's health spokesman said at the weekend that we have not reduced public expenditure sufficiently. In what areas in health, education and social welfare has expenditure not been reduced sufficiently? It is time for Fine Gael to come forward. We have set out our position in the budget. We have indicated where the tax and expenditure changes for next year and the year after will...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore can make all the contentions he like, even if the facts are different. As Taoiseach of this country, I accept fully and am acutely aware that people are losing jobs. Of course I am aware of that.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government is taking the action that is necessary in the short term to ensure we can return the economy to growth. How does the Deputy expect jobs to come back into the economy without growth in the economy? The Deputy has referred to the ESRI report. The ESRI accepts that the balanced corrective action we are taking is the right thing to do despite, unfortunately, its very severe...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Those facts are clear. The ESRI has budgeted for a steeper drop in the cost of living this year than the Government has done. We budgeted for a drop of 4% and it says the figure will be 4.6%.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It suggests that next year will not be as difficult as we think it will be. We have been open, honest and transparent in out budgetary policy and have outlined to the people that the steps we are taking are necessary.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not enjoy taking these steps but they are necessary to get the country back to growth so that we will be ready when the upturn comes. Is it the Opposition's contention that we should continue with public spending on an unsustainable path? If that is Deputy Bruton's view there is no prospect of growth returning to the economy.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The ESRI, which Deputy Bruton quotes this morning, speaks about the importance of maintaining as many jobs as possible. Thankfully, even in the current situation, we have 80% more in employment than 10 or 15 years ago. There are more than 380,000 unemployed, and every one is one too many as far as I am concerned, but there are also 1,800,000 people at work and we must try to maintain those jobs.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: We must help, to the greatest possible extent, those who are losing jobs or who cannot find work. That is what we are doing and will continue to do. We are in discussions with the social partners about developing and evolving programmes, as we did in the 1990s when many schemes were developed. However, we must be straight with the people. We cannot grow jobs without taking whatever...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am defending my position. It is not a question of being loud or otherwise but of answering with the same gusto as the Opposition use in attacking me. I hope Deputy Gilmore does not mind me doing that. I am as entitled to defend myself, as he is to attack me.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept Deputy Gilmore's contention that it is possible to have a pro-jobs strategy on the basis of unsustainable public finances.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition claims that the Government does not have a strategy or policy. In the past 12 months, through changes in income tax and expenditure, the Government took approximately €8 billion out of the emerging deficit. We were heading for a 15% deficit in gross national product. Every one of those policies was opposed by the Opposition and yet it talks about the need to take...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It now suggests we can have a thriving economy on the basis of an unstable banking system.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I did not interrupt while Deputy Gilmore made many charges against me. I never do. However, the moment I stand up to speak I am interrupted. Deputies may feel that is the way to debate but people see through that. We are taking whatever steps are necessary to get us through this problem, and that is creating real hardship for people. Like everyone in this House, I am aware of that. We...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: There must be a sustainable public finance position. Former Ministers for Finance know that. There is no point in playing around with that matter. We must take these decisions. Of course we will provide hope, but on the basis of taking necessary decisions now and next year. The country will be then in a position to take off again when the international demand improves, as is predicted by...

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, there is not an easier way given the scale and magnitude of the problem we are facing. We will continue to do whatever we can to help the people through this problem.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: There will be plenty of people and plenty of opportunities on the Opposition benches to suggest there is a handier way out.

Leaders' Questions (29 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The fact of the matter is that there is not a handier way.