Results 14,401-14,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: As a result of discussions that took place, the Government made its position clear yesterday morning. Subsequently the Minister for Finance had a discussion with the chairman of the bank and arrangements were made as I outlined to the House. I have a copy of the statement that was issued because that was the agreement that was reached.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Despite the Deputy's assertions in the statement she released yesterday, that the cap was being breached, that was not the case. The Government made its position clear yesterday, we have now heard from AIB Bank about the arrangements going forward and they are consistent with the Government position on the salary cap.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is another distortion.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry to disappoint the Deputy.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Rabbitte is a past master at this. Just take the facts step by step.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Labour Party's finance spokesperson issued a statement yesterday, which is totally inaccurate and without factual basis. She is in the House now to lecture me. A second point----

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: She was wrong.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I want to make it clear that the Minister for Finance has indicated-----

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I read it yesterday, and once was enough, believe me.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Once was enough. I thank the Deputy. I got it in one, and it was all wrong as usual.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will always give the Deputy that courtesy.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I listened to the Deputy's questions in silence but, unfortunately, that is never reciprocated for the answers. We will do the best we can as we proceed.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The situation is as I have outlined it, namely, that the salary cap has not been breached. Second, Mr. O'Connor will be executive chairman for a temporary period, covering those issues that I raised earlier.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It will be for a period in relation to those issues being dealt with. The day-to-day operations will be dealt with by the group managing director, who will have a salary that is in line with the Government position. The third point is that Dr. Somers will be appointed deputy chairman.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The trouble with the Labour Party Members is that they are disappointed. They came in here this morning and decided they were going to lecture us on what was and what was not going to happen. They are upset that the Government's position has been and is being respected and forms part of the solution here. That is the situation.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding governance, I remind the Deputy that I was Minister for Transport at one time and we appointed Mr. Bernie Cahill chairman of Aer Lingus, where he was involved in restructuring. This brought that company through a very difficult period and there was no problem.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am just trying to answer the question. The Deputies are not interested in hearing the answer. That is the problem. The role of executive chairman will be temporary for the purposes as outlined in the statement.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: For dealing with those issues as outlined in the statement from which the Deputy has read, three or four times.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It has been set out in the statement, with no room for messing about. That is the situation. An executive chairman deals with those aspects. The group managing director deals with the day-to-day operations and we have the former chief executive of the NTMA going in as deputy chairman.

Order of Business (18 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is the situation and it is being done on the basis of the salary cap being respected. I am sorry to disappoint the Deputies, but that is the case.