Results 1,281-1,300 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition does not like hearing about this because it likes talking about public transport.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: When it had the opportunity when it was in office, it put no capital investment into public transport.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Shouting me down will not change this.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Since 1997 the Government has invested a cumulative €2.3 billion in public transport. This has lead to major increases in capacity, especially in the greater Dublin area——

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: ——including the introduction of the Luas with a capacity of 20 million passengers per annum, an increased 30% capacity on DART services and rail lines to suburban areas.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Government has also halted neglect of the rail network by increasing capacity and making our railways safer. When the Government took office, a railway safety programme had to be introduced before any investment could be made because the Opposition left it in an unsafe state.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Further improvements are underway and more will be done in the years ahead. The Government has embarked on a hospital modernisation programme, with the largest infrastructure capital expenditure in the last 50 years. Waiting list data collected by the Department of Health and Children at the end of 1997 reported some 45% of adults waiting in excess of 12 months for surgery. This was...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: This year the Government will spend €7.17 billion in investment in education. This is an increase of over €4.24 billion on the levels we inherited in 1997, leading to major improvements in services. The pupil-teacher ratio has fallen at primary level from 22:7 to 17:4 and at secondary level from 17:7 to 15:4. Some 9,000 more teachers are employed and approximately 6,000 special needs...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: This House should not have a crazy debate that suggests this never happened. It is true more needs to be done. There are pressures on services that need to be addressed.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: This is the reality.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I will not accept the claim that there are no benefits from the policies pursued by the Government.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: There has been an addition of 500,000 units to housing stock, of which some 60,000 were State-assisted social, voluntary or affordable housing units. The massive expansion has been facilitated by major investment in water and wastewater facilities where there was a historical problem as outlined to us by the EU. Since 1997, we have achieved one of the best economic performances in the world,...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: We have been able to invest massively in public services, reduce debt levels while presiding over major tax reductions. The Government has achieved results and will continue to do so. It is making the necessary modifications and changes that we must all ensure, in terms of respect for taxpayers' money, to get the maximum possible bang for our buck. I do not accept the Opposition motion. I...

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I did not commend it. I robustly withdraw my commendation of the Opposition motion.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: They are not huge.

Public Expenditure: Motion. (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: It was partly done through tax relief.

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand that there are approximately 600 individuals on the disabled drivers medical board of appeal waiting list, with a current average waiting time in excess of three years. There were a number of operational difficulties with the board of appeal and these have now been resolved. The new chairperson of the board, whom I appointed on 14 March 2005, has been asked to address the backlog...

Written Answers — Disabled Drivers: Disabled Drivers (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I assume the Deputy is referring to the disabled drivers and disabled passengers tax concessions scheme which is open to people with disabilities who meet the specified criteria and have obtained a primary medical certificate to that effect from the local Health Service Executive. The medical criteria for the purposes of the tax concessions under this scheme are set out in the disabled...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners that a notification of tax refund issued to the taxpayer in question on 10 May 2005 and that a cheque in settlement issued on 12 May 2005.

Written Answers — Departmental Charges: Departmental Charges (17 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Finance has started to review existing delegations, including the legal basis for any charges and fees levied by the Department. It is arranging for a similar exercise to be carried out by the agencies under its aegis. I understand that a similar exercise will be carried out by other Departments and offices. The Deputy will appreciate that the exercise is ongoing. No charges...