Results 12,921-12,940 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes, it is urgent, and it is a very complex and arduous task. In the interim, the legislation is being driven, devised and worked on by a steering group involving the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Finance and NTMA. I do not see what the problem about that is because that is how one goes about doing anything in a logical fashion, given the fact one requires the...

Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is what I said on the record of the House. The legislation will be put in place in parallel with that. Deputy Gilmore is saying there should be no action at all until the enactment takes place.

Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is my idea. Deputy Gilmore's idea is a temporary nationalisation, which his candidate in the Dublin South by-election suggested could last for 20 years. He said that if it involved 20 years, so be it - that is his idea of a temporary nationalisation. So much for no ideology in the Deputy's party. Regarding what we are trying to do and what we will do, we will proceed in line with EU...

Leaders' Questions (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the meantime, as NTMA has done time out of number, we have put together a team of people who will work through the National Asset Management Agency management of that portfolio on the basis of the criteria we outlined. It was made very clear, at the very first press conference in NTMA, despite what the Deputy suggested about there being something new, that performing assets as well as...

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' business shall be No. 35, Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (Protection of Debtors) Bill 2009 - Second Stage, and the proceedings on the Second Stage thereon shall, if...

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The programme for Government is implemented on the basis of availability of resources, as is every programme for Government. I outlined to the House last March, when I was asked about the programme for Government, that it was necessary for us to set priorities based on the fact there were new economic circumstances. It is timely, in the midway term of a Government, to do a review of the...

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Chief Whip that no decision has been taken on the date for the Dáil summer recess. We came back a week earlier at Easter than was originally intended. I made that proposal, which was accepted by the House. On the programme for Government, the Deputy can take it that the programme for Government will continue to inform the work of Government. He will be notified in due...

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: When it happens.

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have indicated when we hope the heads of the NAMA Bill will be brought to Government for consideration. It then depends on the detailed advices of the Attorney General thereafter. We will proceed with the Bill as quickly as is possible. It is a complex and important piece of legislation that has to be got right. As I outlined in Leaders' Questions, and as the Minister for Finance has...

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot indicate at this point, as the heads of the Bill will be only available in June. We will proceed as quickly as possible with it subject to the Attorney General's advices. I hope to have the Bill published before we rise.

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am giving the Deputy an answer to his question.

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The concern must be on the basis that, as Dr. Somers said, it is got right, and that we bring forward legislation that will withstand robust scrutiny and that the process is in play. I have indicated what stage it is at currently and I will continue to keep the Deputy apprised of the issue. On the referendum on the Lisbon treaty, I stated previously in the House that this is a matter we hope...

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand Report Stage of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill will be taken next week.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have outlined the position as things stand on the legislation we are bringing forward on NAMA.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Department's Estimate in respect of official entertainment for 2007 to end April 2009 is detailed in the table below. Year Budget Allocation 2007 €460,000 2008 €450,000 2000 (end of April) €400,000 A breakdown of the actual spend from 2007 to 2009 is detailed in the table below. Official Entertainment hosted by the Taoiseach, Ministers of State and Senior Officials 2007...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department's responsibility relates only to the Tribunal of Inquiry into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters (Moriarty Tribunal). This was established in September 1997 on foot of resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad. The cost of its legal team to the Department up to 30 April 2009 was €28.952m. The legal team currently consists of seven people - three Senior Counsel (two at a...

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Obviously, I do not accept all of the points that Deputy Kenny makes.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In relation to PPARS, that was commissioned under Deputy Noonan when he was the Minister for Health. That was when that issue started. In relation to the question of money that could go to a children's hospital, I think that Fine Gael's proposal was that we should build two. The real question to be answered here today of course relates to the decision that was taken by the Irish Prison...

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----build, maintenance and financing of the Thornton prison project. That project was unaffordable at the price being quoted by Léargas, as the cost had risen by over 30%. Obviously, the cost of financing such projects under a PPP was a major factor in that change. While this decision has been noted by Government, I want in the strongest terms to say that we are fully committed to...

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Decisions on how we will proceed-----