Results 14,721-14,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: One proposal was referred back to the trade unions and then further discussions took place on the sectoral side. A further proposal was starting to emerge but it did not meet those tests, which is to be regretted, in my view, and people on the other side also regret it. There is the idea that, once negotiations are commenced, they have to end up successfully - that is what one always hopes...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: With respect, a full divulging of the composition of the pay bill and all the necessary data was being exchanged for weeks in advance. It is all very well giving advice as to what to do a week or a month before but we had come to the substance of the issue and it was not possible to find an agreement. This is unfortunate and I regret it as much as anyone else because I had been working for...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I reiterate that the Government met as a Government on Tuesday and I communicated thereafter to the trade unions the Government position. The first basic requirement was the quantum, the amount of money that would have been generated by this proposal in the first instance, was insufficient and, therefore, the Government would reserve its position in respect of all other aspects of it because...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: If I may reply to Deputy Kenny, the intrinsic merit, worth and value of that remains because it is against the background of much tightened financial constraints on Government - on any Government. The issue of having to provide new ways forward that will not only maintain services and improve them for service-users, where possible, but also improve the work and the environment of...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: As we know, that was not an accurate reflection of the status of negotiations at the time.

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy's contentions or theories on this matter. The Government entered this process in good faith, knowing it was difficult for all sides to try to find a common agreement on the issue. On the issue the Deputy raises, the Government considered its position on Tuesday morning and conveyed what its position was. It confirmed that the amounts that were contemplated as...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not see what purpose the Deputy's proposal would have. What one should rely on is the work that has been put together and on which there would have been agreement had other things been worked through. There is an intrinsic merit and a worth to these documents that should not be easily forgotten and can form the basis of work for the future.

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The documents, as they emerged, do not require further background information. They set out the direction of reforms and transformation that could be contemplated in the right circumstances. As I stated, these circumstances can and should arise again sooner rather than later.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 41a, Budget Statement and the financial motions by the Minister for Finance, to be taken on the conclusion of questions to members of the Government. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and the motion for the general financial resolution shall be moved not later than 12 midnight...

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: To answer Deputy Kenny's question first, the grouping of resolutions or the way in which we take them will be agreed at the Whips meeting at 7 p.m. this evening. The social welfare Bill will be published after the Budget Statement has been issued. It will be later on this evening.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I can get the Whip to confirm the actual time but it will be later on this evening.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We can issue the Bill any time. My understanding is the publication of the Bill will not be dependent on taking a vote.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are confident enough, no more than the Deputy himself.

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Alcohol Products) (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I move: (1) THAT for the purposes of the tax charged by virtue of section 75 of the Finance Act 2003 (No. 3 of 2003), that Act be amended, with effect as on and from 10 December 2009, by substituting the following for Schedule 2 to that Act (as amended by section 50 of the Finance (No. 2) Act 2008 (No. 25 of 2008)):

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Alcohol Products) (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The motivation behind the resolution is as outlined by Deputy Ó Caoláin, namely, to try to deal with the phenomenon of cross-Border trade which is causing a major haemorrhage in our revenue base. It is important that we seek to do whatever we can in this respect. I take the point that the main problem in cross-Border trade relates to the differential between the euro and sterling, which...

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Alcohol Products) (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputies know, the main features of a budget point out what we are discussing now in terms of VAT reductions, etc. I have been a Member of the House for 25 years and having listened to the Deputies speak without interruption, I ask them to allow me to continue without interruption. The reduction of excise on alcohol products is to assist in seeking to reverse what has been happening...

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Alcohol Products) (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Responsible drinking is not determined by the level of excise. If it were, this country would not have the alcohol problems it has given that in many cases we have the highest excise levels in the European Union. That is a rather nebulous and fallacious argument.

Financial Resolution No. 1: Excise (Alcohol Products) (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am just making that point that it is a nebulous and fallacious argument. In dealing with that issue, the important issue is to have proper education on prevention and promotion of responsible drinking. I take the point that binge drinking is an unwelcome phenomenon in this country and one which needs to be addressed. It will not be addressed in respect of the excise duty rates on...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table: Name Cost to Date in 2009 National Economic and Social Development Office â'¬3,401,066 Law Reform Commission â'¬3,183,487 National Statistics Board â'¬30,798

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy is detailed in the following table. Office No. of Staff SalariesincludingOvertime &Allowances Expenses Taoiseach's Private Office 12 €688,076 €984 Taoiseach's Constituency Office 7 €341,954 Nil Government Chief Whip's Private Office 4 €254,077 Nil Government Chief Whip's Constituency Office 5 €154,346 Nil *Minister of State for...