Results 14,481-14,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: First, the response of the Government and all of the agencies is a continuing one. As I said yesterday, the needs emerge and change as circumstances change, and we are still in the midst of a weather pattern which is causing flooding and rainfall, with all the attendant problems in terms of the overflow from our river systems and how that is affecting many people up and down the country. I...

Leaders' Questions (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: First, the Government contacted our permanent representative in Brussels yesterday, arising out of our Cabinet meeting yesterday, to inquire as to what assistance is available from the EU in respect of various solidarity funds and other emergency funding that arises when floods occur and where serious problems arise. That matter is in hand and is being proceeded with in the normal and...

Leaders' Questions (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is being done.

Leaders' Questions (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It has been done.

Leaders' Questions (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is being done. We must deal with the independent review as we tackle our priorities, which relates to the conversation we have had up to now. What lessons are to be learned and what issues arise for the future are matters that can and should be looked at? There has been much discussion about what happened at Iniscarra. My understanding is that if the water came over the top of the dam,...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The OECD review of the Irish public service, Towards an Integrated Public Service, was published in April 2008. This report, which benchmarked the public service in Ireland against other comparable countries and made recommendations as to the further direction of public service reform, was an authoritative assessment of the Irish...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy's negative assessment of the OECD report. One of the great problems in discussing this issue is the failure to acknowledge those parts of the public service and delivery systems that are working well. At the same time, I candidly acknowledge some aspects are not working as well and that best practice is not being provided right across the system. A good...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that figure available to me. The objective of the moratorium on recruitment when introduced last year was to achieve a 3% saving on payroll costs. I will obtain those figures for the Deputy. In fact, the objective of the moratorium was met last year.

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It would represent a saving of approximately €300 million. The question of redeployment is critical for a simple reason. If one is aiming to change how services are delivered, it is clear there will be surplus staff as a result of the reconfiguration process. If a change is made in practices then it is a question of what to do with the staff in an organisation currently doing that work....

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will deal with Deputy Gilmore's points. His first point was about the Department of Finance being exclusively responsible for the programme for reform of the public service. This is not a correct assumption. A Cabinet committee has been established of which I am the chairman and this committee is supported by a steering group of Secretaries General and the office for the programme for...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I explained to the Deputy earlier, his characterisation of this matter being dealt with exclusively in the Department of Finance is not correct for the reasons I have given because we have set up, in line with the recommendations of the task force, a Cabinet committee and a steering group, which are working through those issues, as recommended by those who have advised the Government in...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy made another incorrect comment.

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: He said I was, in some way, supportive of the strike. I am not interested in anyone withdrawing their labour.

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy made a comment which is not correct. He said that was his view and his view is incorrect. That has never been my way of conducting discussions with anyone. I know what must be obtained and what the objective is. Everyone in this House has come around to the view that the adjustment to be made is of the order of €4 billion. While the trade union movement has set out its view...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore's third point was with regard to the possibility of another strike. I will deal with these issues on their objective merits and not on the basis of the prospect of a strike next week or some other week. I am not interested in people going on strike. I do not believe it is the right approach. I am in discussions at present. What should the prospect of a strike convey to me...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am in the business of trying to find a solution. If others are contemplating other actions, that must be taken up with them. I am not responsible for their positions.

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: My position is to engage on the basis of a substantive outcome consistent with the Government's outline of requirements for 2010 and its commitment to permanent structural change beyond that.

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: In any relationship between an employer and employee, there are responsibilities, which the vast majority of people seek to discharge. Being employed, whether in the public or private sector, one gives one's best every day on the basis of the remuneration one receives. That is an objective of everyone who goes to work. We must make sure that we have an organisational structure which...

Public Service Reform. (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Morale levels are a function of how an organisation is operated and managed. In many organisations one finds very high morale in recessionary times. There are other organisations where it might not be so high. Morale is a function of management and staff working together to make sure morale is high. There is important work to be done. There are difficulties and issues to be resolved in...

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 9, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimates [Votes 19, 20, 22, 27, 30, 31, 34, 37 and 40]; No. 10, motion re referral of Supplementary Estimates [Votes 19, 20, 22, 27, 30, 31, 34, 37 and 40] to Select Committee; No. 11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Agreement between the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative...