Results 13,801-13,820 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes. These provide for increased superannuation for people in that situation. That is what happened. It was our judgment at that time that this was important in the interests of the organisation, its clients and the taxpayer, and because it was being stated inside and outside this House at the time that this was what should happen.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: What I must put back to the Deputy is, first, the fact the Government had to act lawfully in this matter. Second, in regard to the conditions and terms of the person's employment, were the contract terminated there would have been an entitlement broadly in line with what was arranged.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Excuse me. At the time of the resignation, nobody in this House impugned the person's integrity and no one said it was their purpose to do so.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Excuse me. I am trying to make the simple point that had the contract been terminated, there were entitlements and accrued pension rights that had to be dealt with in any event.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Where a person's contract is not renewed for a second term, there are analogous arrangements in place. It was on that basis-----

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I listened. It is the Deputy's decision to interrupt when others speak.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The details of that severance package were arranged on that basis, and it was in the interests of the organisation that this change take place.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It was in the interests of the organisation that this change take place, and take place quickly. I can understand people looking at this situation from the outside and making some effort to suggest we were doing something other than what was going to happen if the contract was terminated. That is what had to be done. We had to take that into consideration and move the situation forward...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is greatly to be regretted that the issue was brought to the House in this way. I have said to the Deputy that I believe that the appropriate forum for a discussion to take place is the meeting tomorrow of the commission that is charged with responsibility for the running of the Houses and the privileges and various arrangements of the Members in this House. The Ceann Comhairle has...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I was very much of the view that the Ceann Comhairle be given an opportunity to put his proposals and his views to the commission which is meeting tomorrow. I felt that that would be in keeping and consonant with the independence of his office and that he should be afforded an opportunity to do so.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Order of Business is as follows: No. 12, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 13, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the convention on the European Forest Institute, back from committee; No. 21, the National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009, Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos....

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have made it clear in previous interventions today that as far as I am concerned that it is in the interests of this House, the parties in government and the parties opposite that we have a system in place that has public confidence in all respects. I have always believed that should happen in respect of the issues Deputy Ó Caoláin has raised. As far as I am concerned that can and...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Committee Stage of the legislation will be taken in the normal way and will be dealt with efficiently. On the second question raised by the Deputy, that is a matter for the Government to decide upon. A Commission cannot be formed until a High Representative is appointed by the European Council because the High Representative will be a vice-chairperson of the Commission. The President of...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand from the past position that the choice of commissionership is dealt with by the Government and is done on the nomination of the Government. If the Deputy wishes us to consider names, we will do so. On the date for the budget, it will be in December. We are having a discussion on a budgetary strategy beginning tomorrow. We will deal with those matters then and give an exact date.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Bill is for this session. I cannot give more detail than that.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The resolution to which the Deputy refers is consequent to the decision of the people on Friday last and will be taken without debate on Thursday morning. There are no plans at the moment in regard to the by-election writ being moved.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Perhaps it could be taken up directly with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I do not have prior knowledge of the details.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would also be involved in respect of the insolvency fund.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of any promised legislation. Perhaps the Deputy will table a question to the Minister for Finance.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand public consultation has just finished in regard to the preparation of legislation in that respect.