Results 1,321-1,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: We are developing business plans for the three airports so they can expand.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: We are providing equity for Aer Lingus to enable growth in traffic, passengers, profit and jobs.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment intends to bring forward legislation later this year for a new consumer agency based on the recommendations, 34 in all, contained in the consumer strategy group report. Clearly I cannot indicate at this stage what model he may use or what previous work may be inputted.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The decision on Aer Lingus yesterday clearly makes a difference as to how we will proceed with the matter. Last March, the Minister for Transport outlined in the House the course he would take if the Government decides to embark on a sale of all or part of Aer Lingus: I will set out for the House, in accordance with the provisions of the Aer Lingus Act 2004, the general principles of the...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: Legislation already exists, the provisions of which can be utilised to enable the sale to take place. I assure the Deputy that as we embark on the process, appoint our advisers, take advice from them and do our analysis, we will give ample opportunity for this House to discuss the options and how we should proceed. There may well be different views in the House on that matter, but the...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the electricity Bill will come before the House next year. The heads of the national oil reserves agency Bill have been approved so the legislation should come before the House later this year.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: It is awaiting an order for Report Stage.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: According to the information available to me there is an order for Report Stage for the Grangegorman Development Agency Bill 2004. It was published in June last year.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: If the Whips agreed to view it as a priority, it could be arranged. I assure Deputies, including Deputy Ó Caoláin, that there will be many opportunities to discuss the issues relating to aviation. I base that on my prior experience of having responsibility for that Department.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Bill is due to be discussed by the Government and is due to be published next year. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is working hard on it.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: On the Order of Business I must communicate to the House about the schedule for dealing with each Stage of legislation. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform answered questions in the House two days ago and a specific parliamentary question to him would elicit more information than I am in a position to give. The Deputy should accept that point rather than criticise me for the...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: These matters are before the Government at present. Until the Government takes decisions I cannot indicate what the legislation might include or exclude.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I understand the Supreme Court decision might have implications for how we try to address the matter. That is the reason we have not been able to progress the Bill as quickly as the Deputy would wish. I am aware that he has had a long standing interest in the Bill.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is referring to the Maritime Safety Bill. That is due to come to the Dáil on Second Stage. A discussion among the Whips would facilitate arranging a time for the Bill to be discussed in the House. With regard to the other matter, I recall that when the Fianna Fáil-Labour Government made some strategic decisions on Aer Lingus there were prophecies of doom from Deputy...

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I believe the Deputy was expelled from his parliamentary party.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy was expelled from his parliamentary party.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: That is due this session and the Deputy will have an opportunity to raise these issues.

Order of Business. (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: It was not a wrong decision; it was very much the right decision strategically for both aviation generally and Aer Lingus given its role in the economy going forward in terms of tourism and so on. Under the proposals, we will decide on a set of advisers to advise us on what the proper investment mechanism might be for an equity share in Aer Lingus by the private sector. We will await that...

Written Answers — Social Insurance: Social Insurance (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I have clarified with the Deputy's office that the issue he refers to involves self-employed individuals who have reckonable income of less than €3,174 in a particular year and consequently are not liable to pay PRSI. Such individuals may be entitled to make voluntary contributions to the Department of Social and Family Affairs under the PRSI system, provided certain conditions are met, but...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (19 May 2005)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that figures of claims for capital allowances in respect of yachts and similar types of ships and associated assets are not captured in such a way as to be separately identifiable. Claims for these reliefs are aggregated in tax returns with other capital allowances and do not distinguish between the claims made in respect of the different activities....