Results 12,981-13,000 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am coming to that.

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: US businesses form the biggest component of these investments. More than 450 US companies operate in Ireland and they have invested over $55 billion in this country. In regard to competitiveness issues, significant adjustments are clearly being made to labour cost competitiveness in the context of this downturn. The European Commission and others have commented on the flexibility displayed...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, together. My advisers are Joe Lennon, programme manager; Gerry Steadman, special adviser; Brian Murphy, special adviser; Declan Ryan, special adviser; Peter Clinch, special adviser; and Oliver O'Connor, special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children. The programme manager at my Department is the principal special adviser appointed...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The figure of €6.2 million, if it is correct, is approximately 0.002% of the Government's total expenditure of more than €65 billion. The system of special advisers was first introduced in 1992 and has been maintained by every Government since then.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are working within the legislative and strategic framework set out in the Public Service Management Act 1997. I refer to the question about Mr. Oliver O'Connor, the special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children, coming under my guise. I believe that, because it is such an important Department which is undergoing major reforms, there is plenty of work to be done by him on behalf...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The contracts relating to advisers terminate on the termination of office of the holder of the office.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, not as soon as the Deputy thinks and, perhaps, far too prolonged for his career to be able to withstand it.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: He has been right so far.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We all live in hope. With regard to the second matter, I am not aware if there have been applications to terminate appointments or to seek a contract renewal. I do not think there has been. On the third question, there has been a 10% saving. I replied to this question on another occasion and we have brought in efficiencies to the tune of 13%.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, special advisers do not have specific responsibilities in those areas. Those responsibilities are taken up by established civil servants.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The advisers employed are doing their work capably and well and they enjoy the confidence of those for whom they work. If they did not, they would not be in the employment they hold. They cannot be held responsible for the international financial crisis and every other issue that has happened, no more than a poor Opposition can.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The health matters of Government have to be communicated to the public and dealt with in the normal way. The Department of Health and Children has its requirements in that regard as well and the person concerned does an excellent job. He is highly respected by the profession with whom he deals. As I said in regard to Mr. O'Connor, health is a huge issue for the Government and future...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: This has nothing to do with that.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Some work for the Minister of Health and Children in that capacity. It is an onerous position.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: An adviser attached to my Department also advises me on health matters.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a9, Finance Bill 2009 - Financial Resolutions; No. b9, Finance Bill 2009 - Allocation of Time Motion for Select Committee; No. 3, Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; No. 21, Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad] - Report and Final Stages (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders,...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I can deal only with the matters before us. If there are other matters for debate they should be raised with the Minister and obviously the next stage of the Bill would be the appropriate time to do that. As regards the specific question from the Leader of the Opposition, there is no section of the Finance Bill, as published, relating to VAT. Three ministerial amendments relating to one...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I must check my own records.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is awaiting Committee Stage.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The UN convention to which Deputy Higgins referred was signed by Ireland at a conference in Mexico in 2003. In consultation with the Attorney General's office and other Departments, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has examined the convention and identified what legislation in the criminal law area is required to give effect to its provisions. The Criminal Justice (Mutual...