Results 12,861-12,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The resumed Second Stage of the Finance Bill is being taken until 7 p.m. There will be ample opportunity on Committee Stage, as there always has been in respect of Finance Bills, to go through all aspects of policy in respect of the financial situation in the country. That was my experience when I held that position and it is one fully taken up by members of that committee. The Bill can...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I answered this question yesterday. Until such time as the June Council meeting is finished and we see what is being provided by colleagues at the European Council in respect of the reassurances we sought and it was agreed at the December Council we should get, the question of calling a date for a referendum is premature. The position of the Government is that on the basis of obtaining and...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the normal way, statements were made after every European Council meeting as to what took place. We had that debate in the House and the position was clear. I outlined to the House that political undertakings had been given to the Government and we believed that if they were transposed in the way we sought and agreed by the June Council, we would be prepared to call a referendum. I also...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We obtained commitments last December from member states as to the nature of the reassurances they were in a position to give, short of re-ratifying the treaty themselves. That is the situation. We are now dealing with the wording and drafting to give expression to that so a decision can be made at the June Council in regard to these matters. As the Deputy knows, in the aftermath of the...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the coming weeks.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The term "an bord bailout" is being used, but what we are trying to do is to assist those who depend on banks and get some stability into system. The matter is being dealt with as a priority in the Department of Finance. Interim arrangements regarding preparation of the work that will be conducted by the NAMA are being undertaken by the Minister. There is also a debate underway in the...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The programme for Government made a commitment providing for a directly elected mayor of Dublin by 2011. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has confirmed that the Government has agreed to proceed with that initiative and to prepare legislation to ensure it can happen on time next year.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, though I hear the Deputy is interested.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I expect this matter to come before the Government in the coming weeks.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The third matter is being examined and I understand the first two matters will come forward this session.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: To make the point again, the recommendations that were redacted were done so on the basis that the manner in which the report was brought forward meant there were legal issues arising with regard to those aspects, as there were with regard to the narrative itself. It is not a question of censoring the report, but a question of having to act on legal advice in terms of what information can be...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform brings forward such legislative matters on behalf of the Government. In respect of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, while the Garda Síochána has been successful in arresting and achieving the conviction of gang members, this has not stopped people involved with gangs committing further acts of violence and engaging in intimidation....

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill were cleared in January and we hope to publish the legislation in this session.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill are expected soon but six Bills have been published from the A list since we resumed sitting.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand the Joint Administration Committee is examining the matter. There are public finance constraints. I will check the position, as I do not know offhand what is happening.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I outlined the position on the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill five minutes ago to Deputy Flanagan. I do not know what more Deputy Durkan wants me to add.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The publication of the Bill will follow. The House is united in doing all it can within the terms of the Constitution to ensure we deal with those who would attack the democratic institutions of the State by the intimidation of witnesses and jurors and that we bring forward proposals to assist in every way we can the Garda Síochána which is achieving a fair measure of success and whose...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand legislation has been published, that it is a matter to be arranged and scheduled for the business of the House.

Northern Ireland Issues. (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I visited Northern Ireland on 26 March and met with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness in Stormont Buildings. We discussed recent developments, including the attacks by dissident groups, the unified response of the political parties and the excellent co-operation between the PSNI and the...

Northern Ireland Issues. (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As Deputy Kenny said, there is full co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána in relation to dealing with this threat. The Garda Commissioner has confirmed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform that he is happy with the level of co-operation. The intelligence services of the State have kept a close monitoring eye on what is going on among They threaten our...