Results 14,001-14,020 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am pleased to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Nuala Fennell, a woman of great energy and strong achievement. On behalf of my party and the Government, I extend sincere condolences to Nuala's husband, Brian, her children, Jacqueline, Garrett and Amanda and her grandchildren, Ian, Eveline, Kate, James and Amelie. I also extend sympathy to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party on the...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the agreement between the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Ireland concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; No. 11, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimates [Votes 7,...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am disappointed with Deputy Gilmore's concluding remarks. The Government proposal is a compromise to the various suggestions floating around. The Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service will meet tomorrow at 2 p.m. to discuss the timing and processing of Committee Stage of the NAMA Bill. It is expected the committee will agree to meet at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday morning in the...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree with Deputy Kenny it was welcome news to hear at the weekend of the successful outcome of the negotiations to secure the safe return here of Sharon Commins and of Hilda Kawuki to her family in Kampala. I join with everyone in the House in welcoming that outcome. I also thank all of those people who worked so hard, skilfully and patiently over such a long time to achieve it. I...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: We want to publish the report as soon as possible. There are still some legal issues to be determined between the DPP, the Attorney General and the Department. We must keep a balance between the need to publish as soon as possible and not doing anything to prejudice any prospective prosecutions or proceedings that may arise. This was a recent development and I assure the Deputy it is being...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for that.

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I saw the Director of Public Health from the Health Service Executive, Dr. Doorley, interviewed on this subject yesterday evening. He brought to public attention the fact that the vaccine is now being distributed and that it would be two weeks before everything is in place. We need to ensure that adequate arrangements are put in place. That is the up to date position. It is a question of...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is in play at the moment. We made an early order for the vaccine and we have it and are proceeding with distribution. It is an operational matter at this stage for the HSE.

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: This legislation is due next year.

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill are being worked on. It is a complex area and we are proceeding as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Taoiseach was consulted on 19 occasions in 2007, on 15 in 2008 and on 6 to date in 2009 further to Section 1.17 of the Cabinet Handbook. All requests indicated the appropriateness of the Minister being accompanied by his/her spouse/partner and on that basis were not refused. The Deputy will appreciate that Departments would not be likely to submit requests unless they considered them...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The cost to my Department of official domestic travel, including all transport costs, accommodation, meals and other incidentals incurred by myself, the former Taoiseach and the Ministers of State in 2007, 2008 and to end of September 2009 is detailed in the following table: Taoiseach Minister of State for European Affairs Chief Whip 2007 € 186.84 € 235.45 € 0.00 2008 € 1,067.50...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The cost of foreign travel, including flights, accommodation, food, subsistence and other incidental costs, incurred by myself, the former Taoiseach and Ministers of State at my Department, and including Private Office Staff (normally 2-3 officials), and Security who travelled on these occasions in 2007, 2008 and to the end of September 2009 is detailed in the following table: Taoiseach...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department has not incurred any costs relating to leaflet design, production or delivery for either my constituency office nor the constituency office of the Minister of State (Chief Whip) in 2007, 2008 to the end of September 2009. The Minister of State for European Affair's constituency office is based in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department currently has 21.60 staff at the grade of Principal Officer level or higher. This represents 13 % of the total staff of my Department. Following the full implementation of the incentivised early retirement scheme, my Department expects to have 20.60 staff at the grade of Principal Officer level or higher.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) which includes the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) comes under the aegis of my Department. The normal civil service rules for travel and subsistence expenses apply to all staff of NESDO travelling on official...

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: This Government, like all its predecessors, is anxious to support minority schools, faith schools and the Protestant community generally. That is our intention at all times. The block grant remains in place and there is no question of its having been removed. It applies to those attending Protestant fee-charging schools and we continue to provide the support. It is a targeted support for...

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I fundamentally disagree with Deputy Kenny. I do not attach mal fides to anyone in this matter. The Minister has indicated that he is conscious that Protestant schools in rural areas may be in a different financial position from larger schools in Dublin. He reiterated yesterday in this House his invitation to the Archbishop and the schools concerned to come forward with proposals-----

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----that deal, in a targeted manner, with particular problems. He is committed to progressing such proposals in a helpful way. To ascribe mal fides, in the way the Deputy has done, is not responsible or accurate. It is a question of dealing with the issue in a substantive way, recognising that some schools require continuing assistance, which the Minister is anxious to facilitate on the...

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have information specifically relating to this question, of which I did not have notice. I can contact the Deputy in due course and clarify many of the issues he raises. I do not accept that it is the universal view that there are insufficient beds in the system. What is needed is the utilisation of those beds to best effect. We have seen a big increase in the number of day cases...