Results 14,441-14,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a challenging agenda for all sides, both management and staff. I believe the discussions have been entered into in good faith. There is an understanding and recognition of the Government's position in terms of the financial realities with which we must deal. Obviously, there is limited time available to see whether the basis of an agreement is possible. The Government has decisions...

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the third point, that issue has not yet been considered by the Government. It is being examined in the Department of Finance and has not yet been brought before the Government. On the first issue raised by the Deputy, the objective of the Government is to proceed, if possible, on the basis of an agreement that meets the economic and financial objectives we have set. In respect of what...

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That was the criticism that attended the first benchmarking process where we were initiating a process and seeking to provide confidence in the system, but the second benchmarking process was more transparent regarding its terms of reference and information on comparators. The report confirms that; it was a learning exercise in that respect. The purpose was always that the public service...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. These are political agreements that my predecessor entered into as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual Independent Deputies. On becoming leader of Fianna Fáil, I confirmed to the Deputies concerned that I would continue to implement these agreements. The House is aware that such arrangements have been in place for...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not know what the dynamics of politics in County Mayo are but every member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party supports the Government in office unconditionally and without question.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That would never be the case in this party. It is an old republican principle we have practised for a long time.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a political agreement. The Deputy will have found that when one is trying to secure a majority on a county council or coming into a new Dáil and one has not had a chance to form a Government, political agreements are reached. These agreements are based on the programme for Government, on which basis the support of the Deputies is available to the Government. That has been the...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, they were not asked to second guess political agreements between parties. That would be an unusual precedent to set, as the Deputy will be aware. The agreements, which continue, were put in place on the formation of the Government in 2007. Deputies Lowry and Healy-Rae have those understandings which we will seek to honour in mutually supportive fashion.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have just outlined that Deputies Lowry and Healy-Rae, who support the Government, have an agreement with it. There was an agreement with Deputy Finian McGrath relevant to his support of the Government. He withdrew support for the Government and therefore no arrangements arise. The matter depends on support for the Government and this is usually the way it works. The day a Deputy...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not get into the details of these agreements but that issue post-dates any agreement made at the time.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The matter should be addressed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Any political agreements are subject to understandings about various policy matters which the Government is prepared to proceed with and which have the support and agreement of any Deputy supporting the Government. This is about people representing their areas in respect of Government policy. At the time the Government was formed, it was possible to enter into political agreements with...

Ministerial Appointments. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. On 22 April 2009, the Government appointed Deputy Pat Carey as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Defence; and Deputy Dick Roche as Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European affairs. As Chief Whip, the Minister of...

Ministerial Appointments. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have no immediate plans in that regard. Political decisions were taken during the course of the year as part of our response to the emerging financial position. I regard the work done by Ministers of State as important; it is not only supplementary to the work of Ministers, as they carry out work which is important for the Government and the general public in their delegated duties.

Ministerial Appointments. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The objective should be, where possible, to have a Minister or Minister of State from the relevant Department but that is not always possible. It is a question of Dáil reform as to when these matters might be taken during the course of the parliamentary day.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree that in recent days we have seen weather conditions which have wreaked devastation and caused problems in many places. The flooding is causing many problems in certain areas and continues to be monitored. The insurance policies people have on their homes and businesses will take effect. With regard to those in exceptional need or experiencing hardship as a result of what has...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have made it clear, as I did yesterday when I visited areas affected by the flood, that the Government will see what it can do to assist in every way it can. Businesses are in the process of cleaning up and, as far as is possible, opening again, although some are, of course, waiting for the flood waters to abate in order that they can return to their premises. There are insurance issues...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept Deputy Gilmore's first contention, which is that there was no national response. There has been a good level of co-ordination as a result of the establishment of the emergency planning office some years ago. Those plans are in place precisely to meet such situations. There is good inter-agency co-ordination, which provides a quick response when an emergency arises. We...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I acknowledge the introductory remarks of the Deputy in respect of the second part of his question. On flood protection works, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has visited many areas throughout the country in order to discharge his responsibilities in respect of this matter. Significant funding is being made available. Some €100 million was provided during the past five years....

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will deal with that point in a moment. In respect of the capital works that are ongoing, the OPW has a number of further plans to bring forward.