Results 14,501-14,520 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am grateful for the co-operation of the House thus far but I understand it has been indicated to the spokespersons of the various parties that a timeline of 1 December for introducing the Bill is a major requirement. That has been the understanding all along. I am sorry to hear that continuing co-operation or agreement is not forthcoming on this occasion but we must proceed. Question,...

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The meetings resume this afternoon. Obviously, they will continue to see if agreement can be found. Everyone is aware of the timeframe. They will intensify.

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform briefed the Cabinet this week on the matter. The Department will brief victims' group tomorrow morning before publication of the report. The report will be published tomorrow afternoon and being a document of public importance, it will be made available in the normal way thereafter.

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will make arrangements for the Minister and the Department to have the report made available to the spokespersons after victims' groups have been briefed and at the time of publication.

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's keen interest in this matter. The area he represents has been greatly affected. The issue is that there will be a reassessment of risk by insurance companies arising out of the claims experience which will now emerge. As the Deputy knows, the Irish Insurance Federation ensures people are entitled to get quotes for insurance cover and, if not, having a...

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes. That is a good idea.

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: This Bill seeks to consolidate, in many respects, the legal position regarding the sale of alcohol. It contains some modernising amendments. It is likely to be the first half of next year before it will come to the floor of the House.

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand Mr. Kelly, MEP, spoke on radio about this this morning. Contrary to remarks made by him recently, considerable work has already been done and structures are in place to ensure that this fund, when received by Ireland, can and will be effectively and efficiently spent on retraining, upskilling——

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——and providing educational and entrepreneurial supports for almost 2,500 redundant workers in the mid-west. It has included close co-operation and consultation with the European Commission by the Government, culminating in President Barroso's announcement made in Limerick in September of Commission approval of the application. All relevant State agencies and educational institutions in...

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Perhaps the Deputy's colleague will acknowledge the involvement of everybody else along with himself in trying to make this possible.

Order of Business (25 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: This is a matter for the Whips.

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The legislative priorities of the Government for the current Dáil session are set out in the legislation programme published on 16 September 2009 and the Government will publish its legislation programme as usual at the beginning of each session throughout the remainder of the 30th Dáil. Apart from the Statute Law Revision Bill,...

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy said, the report outlines a harrowing litany of abuses suffered by children at the hands of clergy operating under the aegis of the Dublin archdiocese. The report also made a number of comments on how the State acted with regard to allegations of abuse made against clergy members. The Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs, Deputy Barry Andrews,...

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the second point, I am not aware there is any connection between those two issues. The Deputy had better ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about the Inland Fisheries Bill. The person to whom Deputy Kenny referred, who appeared before a committee, indicated subsequently that he was not opposed to the policy but that he was just giving...

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I take the Deputy's point. As the Bill is still on the Order Paper, it is a matter for the Whips and the organisation of the House to decide how and when it can be taken. The Department has been dealing with many other important pieces of legislation which are of a higher priority. It remains on the Order Paper and I understand Second Stage has not yet been taken.

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot recall the exact provisions of the Bill as it is a long time since it was discussed in the Seanad, but I understand it relates to an issue which arose at the time, that is, people who receive support from people other than family members or those working in an official capacity.

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the legislative programme, since the Government came to office after the last general election on 14 June 2007, some 73 Bills have been enacted. There was not a pre-existing raft of legislation that was coming from the previous Dáil as all of that legislation was cleared. It enabled us to enter the 30th Dáil without that backlog of work to be conducted as well. In the summer...

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out that the role of patron does not involve any executive function in the management of schools. In many cases the positions have arisen from the historical involvement of religious denominations - not a particular church - in education. I have explained to the Deputy that this structure has evolved and changed over time to reflect the social changes that have...

Proposed Legislation. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the flood relief schemes, etc., as I stated last week there is approximately €34 million being spent in programmes this year. Deputy Ó Snodaigh mentioned Clonmel. Phase one of the Clonmel scheme has been completed. Phases two and three are gone to tender, with construction probably due to start in March. On my visit there one could see the significant benefit of that project. It...

Financial Services Sector. (1 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. My Department has supported the international financial services industry in Ireland since the establishment of the IFSC in 1987. It does so through the mechanism of the clearing house group and the working groups in the areas of banking and treasury, funds, insurance, pensions and a task force on asset management. These...