Results 13,721-13,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said earlier, this is the proposal brought forward and approved by Government. I was simply making the point in my previous contribution - which was neither patronising nor condescending but simply a statement of fact - that we are open to listening to the points made in this debate because of the importance of the legislation for the country. I also made the point in my previous...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: While proposals on this issue are being worked on, as has been stated, it is not possible to present a Bill to the House. Many of the proposals will be much better developed by the end of the year.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: Legislation is not promised on the first issue. In recent times, changes have been introduced on internal and foreign travel, as is proper in the new circumstances in which we find ourselves and given the need to ensure we use taxpayers' money and scarce resources in the best possible way. It is also the case that all such expenses are audited by the Accounting Officers of the respective...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will have to revert to the Deputy on the second matter. On the first matter, the Minister of State visited Vietnam where he dealt directly with his counterpart on the question of foreign adoptions. As we all know, this is an important and sensitive matter and one on which the Minister of State has been seeking to make progress. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, is active in...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: As regards the first matter, I understand the European Defence Agency Bill has been published and is awaiting Second Stage. I will have to revert to the Deputy on the second matter, when I have spoken to the Minister about what, if any, his intentions in this area might be.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: There has been no Government decision on that matter. It is up to the Minister for Education and Science at any time to bring forward proposals for consideration by the Government. There has been no formal decision by the Government, however.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy was a member of the Cabinet himself and will be aware that time limits are not imposed on Cabinets by anybody. It is a question for the Government to consider at any time any options put forward by Ministers. I am simply making the point that no decisions have been taken in that matter.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: He is a very respected member of the Cabinet and a very good Minister, too.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for decision by the Whips as to how this is dealt with.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of that but if we could start Second Stage we could get on with deciding how we might deal with Committee Stage.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is taking an hour and a half to get to Second Stage.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: Of course it is.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes and it will be a matter for the Whips to decide on that in due course.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have no problem with it one way or the other.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I wish to get on with bringing the proposal to the House for its consideration.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: The list provided by the Whip today concerns the legislative programme for the forthcoming session. It is a matter for the Government to consider any other proposals for Cabinet in the interim.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will revert to the Deputy having spoken to the Ministers concerned as to what progress has been made in those areas.

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: This Bill is being brought forward for one purpose, namely, to provide a stimulus to this economy by means of the mechanism we have devised. Making populist statements about it or misrepresenting it does not help anybody but if that is what the Deputy wishes to convey, I cannot dictate that. Since last April the Minister for Finance has been very clear about putting forward this proposition...

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister's offer has been open for months.

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I believe this is the right proposal.