Results 14,241-14,260 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 28, Statements on European Council, Brussels; No. 29, Labour Services (Amendment) Bill 2009 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 27, Public Transport Regulation Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that (1) the proceedings on No. 28 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to...

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Will the calculations include interruptions? On the question of people who find themselves in mortgage arrears, the matter is under the aegis of the Financial Regulator and the codes involved arise in that body. Primary legislation in that respect is not needed since the codes arise out of arrangements made in terms of how mortgage lenders are required to behave in respect of this matter,...

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The information I provided to the House last week is the up to date position, that is, the Bill is due to be brought forward early next year. While there is a deliberative process taking place, Members have available to them various other means, including Question Time and the committee system to which Deputy Gilmore referred, by which information and updates can be provided as to the stage...

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Taxation matters are an issue for the Minister for Finance and I do not wish to go into detail on them for the purposes of the Order of Business. In regard to the social welfare Bill, Deputy Ó Snodaigh yesterday raised the issue of whether it would be an omnibus Bill or a series of Bills. The social welfare Bill to which we refer in the context of the budget arises from necessary...

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand legislation is due next year. The Deputy raises issues which need to be addressed in the context of that Bill.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: On customers of sub-prime companies, we have asked the authorities to seek to extend the arrangements to those people as well. I do not believe they should be exempt from a code of conduct in this regard and I understand that is what is intended. I explained that the code of conduct arises out of legislation on the Financial Regulator and IFSRA. The whole purpose of codes of conduct, based...

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: There may be relatively few but we have to make that distinction, in fairness to those who are making the effort.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I hold no brief for such people. I am making the point that, as I understand it, it is being sought that the code of conduct be extended to everybody in this area. It is important that people are treated with the same degree of respect and dignity no matter who they are dealing with and that is something which the Financial Regulator has a responsibility to achieve and is seeking to achieve.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Both pieces of legislation are due next year. It will probably be the middle of next year.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy was informed as late as last night that the approach to be taken is that we will sit down with people engaged in this area.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot add to last night's discussion.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not a problem, it is a fact.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Are people who got a reply last night coming in today to ask what is the story?

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Let me answer the Deputy.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The answer is as the Deputy received it last night. Consideration will be given as soon as there are further discussions with the people in that industry in order to come up with a practical legislative response that makes sense and meets the objectives of the operation.

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Bill has been passed and a commencement order in respect of all sections except section 132 will proceed on 1 December. Consideration must now be given on when to deal with the rest of the Bill, section 132, by a separate commencement order. The Deputies should be aware that to ask when a commencement order to a Bill that has already been passed will be made is a matter for the...

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is asking me about a commencement order.

European Council Meeting: Statements (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I attended the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, 29 and 30 October. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and by Deputy Dick Roche, Minister of State with responsibility for European Union affairs. The European Council meeting was the first regular meeting of European Heads of State in some time at...

Written Answers — Innovation Taskforce: Innovation Taskforce (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I appointed the Innovation Taskforce on 29 June 2009 to advise the Government on its strategy for positioning Ireland as an International Innovation Development Hub and to assist in making the Smart Economy a reality. The Innovation Taskforce members have a wide range of expertise and include individuals with global experience in international companies and entrepreneurs who have recently...

Departmental Expenditure. (17 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3 together. The projected cost of the communications unit in 2009 is €257,432, of which €119,270 is a direct cost to my Department while the balance is borne by three other Departments whose staff are seconded to the unit. The cost of the unit from June 2007 to date has been €725,951. The projected cost for 2009 represents a reduction of almost...