Results 13,021-13,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. The Programme for Government 2007-2012 is, as its title suggests, a programme of priorities to be delivered over a five-year period. Progress in delivering the programme is kept under review. The Department of the Taoiseach website published, on 24 September 2008 last, statements regarding the progress made by Departments in...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I stated last week in the House when asked questions on this matter, we have been able to find a legislative way forward on soft information. A proposal came forward from Deputy O'Rourke's committee and a legislative response was found for that as well. In recent weeks a report has come from the committee dealing with this area that has been asked to see if it is possible to build a...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I explained to Deputy Kenny in my previous reply the process by which the Government will arrive at decisions in these matters and the detail it wishes to provide in that respect. The rights of children and the family are interacting considerations and the fundamental laws of our State protect the rights of children. The great tragedy of the Ryan report on institutional childhood abuse is...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have just explained to Deputy Kenny twice that this is an important process.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Is it not clear to Deputy McCormack? It is outlined in the programme for Government. The detail of bringing such a proposal is the responsibility for the Minister of State with responsibility for children. It would be discussed at Cabinet which would then be in a position to make a decision and promulgate it. That is how the process works.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: First, the review will take the form of a discussion between the parties in government and arising from that review, certain decisions will be taken. Second, the Ryan report makes no recommendations regarding the indemnity agreement and is silent on the matter. It makes no recommendations about it.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy asked whether the Government would revisit it in the context of the Ryan report.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: However, there is no recommendation in respect of that issue in the Ryan report. The question of the agreement that was drawn up at the time was examined in some detail by the Committee of Public Accounts, subsequent to that issue becoming public. I also make the point that the criminal law continues to be operative in respect of any issues that arise regarding any offences committed in the...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out that under the legislation it is entirely a matter for the commission to decide whether any information gathered during the course of its inquiry will be forwarded or shared. It would not, therefore, be appropriate for me to comment in that regard. There is also, of course, the decision by the Garda Commissioner that an Assistant Commissioner is reviewing the...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said, the programme for Government review will be undertaken during the course of the summer and we will discuss with our colleagues where we go from here in regard to it. While the economic realities have changed, all programmes for Government including this one are subject to maintaining balance in our public finances. Without doing that, one cannot provide for our people the...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy mentioned what is happening in the mid-west. He also referred to the north east. We are trying to reconfigure services in a manner that is consistent with public safety. We will provide the best possible service to the people, within the confines of the finances available to us. A considerable amount of resources continues to be provided for our health services. Outputs are...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I have said in previous replies, the luxury of opposition is to suggest that there are infinite resources for infinite numbers of things that can be provided at the flick of a switch.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The programme for Government is predicated on the continuing balance of our public finances. I have to reiterate that time and again. Without that the prospect of providing any sustainable level of services is at risk. The Deputy does not have to consider or worry about that point since he can continue to come into the House and seek more funds for this, that and the other in every area of...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I note the Deputy's continuing interest in this area. The Chief Whip is pursuing this matter in Cabinet. He has not yet finalised those arrangements. He is open to any ideas that people around the House have on these matters and as soon as he has concluded his consideration of these issues they can come in due course to the House to see how the House might be rendered more effective.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am aware that the various ideas have been promulgated and that the Chief Whip is considering all those issues in the context of proposals he wishes to make himself.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Chief Whip is taking up this matter and his thinking on it is quite advanced.

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Putting patients first must be the priority in respect of any reform of our health services. The services require continuing reform. In light of our economic circumstances, any suggestion that we can improve services or maintain existing levels of service without reform or addressing the need to have far more flexible work practices and redeployment is questionable. Addressing the needs of...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, I cannot give any indication for the coming years because we must take all these areas of expenditure into account in the context of the budgetary realities. A very significant improvement has been made in this area. We made a commitment prior to the financial crisis that we would reach the target of 0.7% of GNP by 2012. It remains an objective - whether it is achievable will have to...

Programme for Government. (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Those discussions are continuing between various parties, including the Department of Finance and the Construction Industry Council, and we have had discussions in this regard with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and as part of the social partnership talks. Trying to find sources of off-balance-sheet income that would meet with EU requirements and other rules is a continuing issue, but...

Leaders' Questions (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, the State and all our citizens, I reiterate the sincere apology to the victims of childhood abuse for our collective failure to intervene, detect their pain or come to their rescue. The report of the commission confronts the stark reality of what was a systemic abuse of children, which is a blight on the face of this country and its history. I hope...