Results 13,781-13,800 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Data Protection. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: With respect, the question put down relates to the procedures in place in my Department for the protection of personal data held by electronic means. The supplementary question is far wider in scope than could have been contemplated.

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to takes Questions Nos. 4 to 16, inclusive, and 169 together. The Cabinet committee on economic renewal last met on 27 July 2009. The date of its next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, 7 October. Membership of the Cabinet committee on economic renewal, which I chair, includes the Tánaiste, Minister for Finance, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The factual position I have to outline here relates to the questions. With regard to the specific issue raised by the Deputy, the question of supporting innovation is fundamental to improving competitiveness in the economy. A great deal of support has been given to that area, in the hundreds of millions of euro, through a wide range of research and development rogrammes. The question of...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, it is not possible for me to discuss with him, in the context of replies at Question Time, what goes on at Cabinet committees or during Cabinet meetings. I can only do so in respect of decisions when they are taken. I am not, therefore, in a position to indicate to the Deputy progress made in any discussions in areas which are protected by Cabinet confidentiality. On...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The next meeting will be tomorrow.

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It met on 27 July.

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet has been meeting every week.

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet meets every week, sometimes more than once a week and, from time to time, twice a week, depending on the workload or requirements. All of these matters are discussed at Cabinet. Cabinet committees can meet in smaller format and their purpose is to provide assistance on specific issues that arise or specific areas of policy that require co-ordination or further discussion. That...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have asked the relevant officials to support the idea of close co-operation between the Oireachtas joint committee and the expert panel on climate change and energy security. I have written to the Chairman of the joint committee to suggest that the best means of achieving such co-operation is to engage in discussions with the relevant officials. We await the outcome of that process. The...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that the Government will have to consider many legislative commitments between now and then. Obviously, there is a view that the climate change Bill can be worked on. At the moment, the real issue is whether the Copenhagen summit will be a success. There are many major policy issues and further discussions will take place to try to ensure that states such as the US...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The role of the committee is of course to assist the economy back to recovery in whatever way we can. With respect to Deputy Ó Caoláin, that cannot be done in a void. It must be done on the basis of a stable financial system both domestically and internationally. The purpose is not to bail out banks but to ensure we have a system which is geared to bring about the recovery that everyone...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government, since June, has provided an employment subsidy scheme to help those export-oriented industries in the SME sector that need our assistance and support, and that is being been taken up in broad measure. There is a commitment given by Government over the two fiscal years to meet that commitment up to the tune of €250 million. That is a significant commitment in terms of that...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I should point out to Deputy Kenny that in the quote attributed to former Deputy Jim Glennon, he regarded such portrayals of Fianna Fáil as being unjustified, as I do. As regards the specific matter the Deputy has raised on the director general of FÁS, the comments I made about Mr. Molloy at any time were and are based on my knowledge of the situation and of the person concerned. It is a...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not see any evidence to the contrary at the moment in that regard.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not go around challenging everyone's integrity. In fact, on the day in question, Deputy Kenny said he was not challenging anyone's integrity at the time the resignation took place. I do not want to get involved in personalising matters in that manner. The context of all this is that there was a controversy as regards travel arrangements which had been in place. It was regarded as...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Those arrangements were agreed under the provisions of the Labour Services Act 1987 which cover the director general's remuneration and superannuation. Under this Act, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment determines the terms and conditions of employment, including superannuation, for the CEO of FÁS, with the consent of the Minister for Finance. Securing a speedy departure in...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no difference between what I said and what the Secretary General had to say last Thursday. What was being asked by Mr. Molloy was that he would reserve his position on the basis of discussions that were taking place. There is always a risk of action. I am not saying action was threatened.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not. I am trying to give a factual answer to Deputy Kenny. I have nothing but the interest of ensuring the truth is known about this matter and the circumstances in which we were dealing with it.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry, Deputy-----

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Shortall. The issue in regard to this situation, as far as the Government is concerned, was to effect the departure of the chief executive, and to do so in a way that was broadly in line with the guidelines that are in place-----