Results 13,401-13,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: If I might be allowed to make my point.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a novel idea for the Deputy. The point is that the 3% reduction aligns exactly with the comparison between the 2008 budget and the 2009 budget for this hospital. It involves a 3% reduction in its budget. If, as stated on page 19, before the budget the Fine Gael Party says-----

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----there should be an efficiency, how can it suggest a 3% reduction in the budget cannot generate any efficiencies?

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: Worse still, there is an inconsistency in Deputy Kenny's approach.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Minister, Deputy Harney-----

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Minister, Deputy Harney, outlined in her speech yesterday evening, there has been an increase in staffing, including nurses and clinicians. We welcome that.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: Based on reportage I saw in newspapers, including this morning, there is approximately €30 million in a fundraising account that is available also in that hospital. It is a matter for the management to decide how it wishes to utilise those funds.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important that we can ensure children with scoliosis have the required procedures carried out as quickly as is clinically appropriate and based on the advice and expertise available. The HSE has asked the hospital to come forward with a position on that to see how many more procedures can be carried out this year.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: We have seen through the National Treatment Purchase Fund and other mechanisms, means by which this can be done.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is only fair, therefore, that if we are to have a debate on health reform and the need to improve the provision of our health service, it must be based on the fact that we have finite budgets that are challenging. We cannot come to the House and suggest we continue with the status quo and expect the same outputs.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: We should have a continuing debate on it. All of us must be prepared to challenge everyone in the health service to make the necessary reforms that will get the outputs that need not result in the closures that were predicted in this case or in Galway-----

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----that can allow for a mature debate in this House that will serve the people better by the provision of the taxpayers' money to best effect.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I take the point that the Department of Social and Family Affairs has an increased workload as a result of the unfortunate rise in unemployment, particularly over the past 12 months. That point is known to all of us as constituency Members in so far as we have dealt with social welfare claims. Some 365 staff have been transferred from other Departments to the Department of Social and Family...

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, I understand there is an accelerated process for people moving in and out of work and those requiring FÁS training, etc. The Deputy highlighted two points that are valid and need to be addressed. They are being addressed to the best of our ability under present arrangements. Reviewing present arrangements in terms of flexibilities across the public service and getting people...

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is in that we do not have the flexibility needed across the services to put the personnel in position when they are required.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: While I agree it is a management issue, it is not just that. It is also an issue that all of us involved in social partnership must address successfully.

Leaders' Questions (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: With respect, the process of transferring more personnel into the Department of Social and Family Affairs to meet the need, has been successful with 360 employees thus far. We need more and we need them more quickly to ensure that service is available. We need to update the processes so that this happens in a more timely and expeditious way. That should be done, while respecting everyone's...

European Council Meetings. (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. I attended the European Council on 18 and 19 June in Brussels. As I will make a statement to the House later today, I will merely give a summary account of the proceedings. The European Council took several important decisions on future financial regulation within the Union with the aim of protecting the European financial system...

European Council Meetings. (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Kenny for the part he played in ensuring that our colleagues and his colleagues in the EPP political grouping of prime ministers and leaders were helpful and supportive and understood what Ireland sought. I agree that the clarifications and confirmations we received have legal effect. They are not simply the interpretations of 27 member states but are a form of Council...

European Council Meetings. (24 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the referendum commission, the process has begun with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government writing to the President of the High Court asking for the nomination of a High Court judge as chairman of the referendum commission. On receipt of this, the commission will be established in line with precedent. There is a provision in the Estimates of the...