Results 12,801-12,820 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the legislation, I am informed by the Chief Whip that, unfortunately, we do not have a date for the legal costs Bill. We will have to consider how soon it can be brought forward. A good deal of legislation has had to be enacted in view of the economic and financial crisis which means that some Bills are not making the progress that would otherwise be the case.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Employment Law Compliance Bill is before the House and it is hoped the other two Bills will be published before the summer recess. On the basis of a successful outcome, it is hoped to hold discussions on the December Council meeting. In the event it is taken at the June Council meeting and on the basis of decisions we would hope to see taking place there, that will enable us to consider...

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: This is a matter best dealt with by the Chief Whip who is running that process.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand the road traffic Bill is at an advanced stage.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot say at the moment but it is at an advanced stage.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No consultants or lobbyists have been employed to act for my Department outside the State in the past five years.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No Civil Servants in my Department have been dismissed from 2004 to date.

Written Answers — Legislative Programme: Legislative Programme (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The following is a list of Bills sponsored by my Department in respect of each of the years 2004 to 2008 and to date in 2009: 2004 - nil 2005 - Interpretation Act 2005 and Statute Law Revision (pre 1922) Act 2005 2006 - National Economic and Social Development Act 2006 2007 - Statute Law Revision Act 2007 2008 - nil 2009 to date - nil None of these Acts were drafted and passed to give effect...

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Every year the service plan devised for all hospitals must be adhered to in the interest of budgetary sustainability and in order to provide services in all our hospitals. It is important to point out that Crumlin hospital was allocated just under €140 million for this year, which is an increase of more than €38 million, or 39%, since 2004. There is a need for greater co-ordination...

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We have not seen the costings for the "FairCare" plan, that is one of the problems. If Deputy Kenny has it costed, we could chat about it, if it is intelligent.

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the meantime, there is no such thing as unlimited resources for the provision of health care in this or any other country.

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Instead of looking at every hospital as a stand-alone institution, we must look at hospitals as a network providing care, avoiding duplication and maintaining service levels for children's services.

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In Dublin there are three such hospitals. More than €300 million is being spent on the budgets of Crumlin, Temple Street and Tallaght hospitals. If they were to co-ordinate and act as one in the provision of services, savings could be made without affecting service levels. That is the approach being taken. Under the new consultants' contract, there is a proposal to have a single...

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: That proposal was made following meetings on these matters. It is the common-sense way forward. I hope everyone in the hospitals concerned will agree with that approach and proceed on that basis in order that we can provide the levels of service required, given that we have limited resources available.

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the publication of this report yesterday, all of us in this House revisited the tragic situation that happened in Monageer two years ago. We send our deepest sympathy again to the family concerned and their relatives. It is a very difficult issue and time for them whenever this issue comes back into the public domain in the way it has as a result of the publication of this report. All...

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not talking rubbish.

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not talking rubbish.

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the question of the report being made available, the chief executive officer of the HSE would be able to see the report in full because he has a statutory duty of care to discharge and that is something that is covered by privilege according to the Attorney General. I am not aware that a Dáil committee would be covered by privilege in the same way in terms of-----

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I want to answer the question I was asked, if I may without interruption.

Leaders' Questions (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a very serious issue.