Results 13,061-13,080 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Payments: Departmental Payments (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The average time for processing of invoices by my Department based on a review of invoices from 1st January to 30 April 2009 is 13 working days.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (26 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department has no funding allocation for the purposes raised by the Deputy. Responsibility for measures in the area of alcohol and drugs misuse rests with the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, the Department of Health & Children and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter, it is my intention that the Government should meet with the victims' groups and talk to them about the issues that pertain to them and listen to what they have to say as regards their general view on those matters. Regarding the discussions with the congregations, I welcome what has been said thus far by those bodies that have spoken over the past 24 hours. I hope that...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I disagree with Deputy Kenny regarding the performance of the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews. The latter is distinguishing himself in his position and is extremely committed to the task he has undertaken on behalf of the Government. As already stated, he will take the opportunity afforded by the debate to be held in a couple of weeks' time to outline his general approach and that...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I indicated earlier, I will meet and liaise with the groups representing the victims and also the congregations.

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I outlined in the statement I made on the Government's behalf yesterday, additional voluntary contributions must be made by the congregations. I also indicated that, quite apart from the moral responsibility the congregations have to the victims in light of the conclusions in the Ryan report - which outlines, in graphic detail, the systemic abuse that took place in the relevant...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no means by which the Government can legally impose a solution in this respect. The Government has indicated that, as a result of the conclusions of this report, there is a clear moral responsibility on the congregations to make additional substantial contributions towards the victims and the provision of assistance and help and towards welfare and education services generally...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I intend to do that by discussing with them and placing an onus on them to outline, in a transparent way, what resources they have available and the contribution they intend to make.

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Then I will discuss the adequacy of the offer made and ensure the court of public opinion is of persuasive effect in that respect. Regarding the ultimate arrangement that will be agreed to and finalised, the previous agreement reached was conducted by Government in respect of the Civil Liability Act and was a totally legitimate exercise in making sure people got access to speedy compensation...

Office of the Chief State Solicitor. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As my predecessor indicated to the House on 3 October 2007 and on 8 April 2008 and as I indicated on 12 November 2008 in response to similar questions, the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Nally report on the re-organisation of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor was completed in 2007.

Office of the Chief State Solicitor. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will be of as much assistance as I can. When last I dealt with this parliamentary question, there was considerable debate on whether the office of the DPP could deliver the 3% payroll expenditure cut announced last year for 2009 while maintaining services. I can confirm that the DPP has reduced the operating cost of the office through a series of measures without having an adverse impact...

Office of the Chief State Solicitor. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Some 16 additional staff were approved for the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. Is Deputy Gilmore asking about the DPP?

Office of the Chief State Solicitor. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The reply refers to the Office of the Chief State Solicitor. Some 16 additional staff were approved for the Office of the Chief State Solicitor in January 2007. The office has an authorised staff level of 249 full-time equivalents. There was a suggestion that some 18 contract staff at the Office of the Chief State Solicitor were to lose their jobs because of the moratorium. However, the...

Regulatory Reform. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, together. The OECD report, Regulatory Reform in Ireland, was published in 2001. In response, the Government published the White Paper, Regulating Better, in 2004 which provides the framework for advancing the better regulation agenda in Ireland. Some of the recommendations and actions outlined in the OECD report and the White Paper relate...

Regulatory Reform. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand the report, carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit in partnership with Compecon Limited, commenced in May last year and has recently been completed. The report is currently under consideration by the Government in the context of the overall work programme of the Cabinet committee on economic renewal. The issue of publication will be considered in that context. The cost...

Regulatory Reform. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It has not yet been considered by the Government. As I indicated, it has just been completed and referred to the committee. A number of Ministers will consider its contents and see what response the Government has to it. Once we make some decisions in that regard, we can consider publication at that stage.

Regulatory Reform. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have the details of the implementation of the report and the fact that it spans a number of Departments, as I indicated in my reply, means it is best to take up the issue with individual Departments. One could then obtain up to date and accurate information on any sectoral recommendations. I do not have that information within my Department.

Regulatory Reform. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the context of our discussions on North-South issues with the Northern Ireland Executive, we continually seek ways and means by which we can improve the business environment both North and South. As a result of different policy issues and structures, we look to ensure that political discussion between relevant Ministers and at North-South Ministerial Council level might be enabled to...

Regulatory Reform. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The issue of harmonising employment standards and laws, for example, could involve the reduction of standards on one side of the Border. The social partnership model we have devised over the past 22 years has seen advances in worker and employment legislation. It has been good for us but we must also keep an eye on competitiveness issues. It has not been part of the UK agenda for some...

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputies concerning appointments made by me to State boards and agencies under the aegis of my Department since May 2007 is set out in the following schedule which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The agencies in question are the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, the National...