Results 14,761-14,780 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will of course but I wanted to make that clear in case anyone misunderstood my reason for leaving.

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: This country has to address probably the biggest challenge to its economic independence it has ever had to face, even though this is now in the context of our membership of the EU and the Eurozone. The budget will demonstrate to ourselves and to others that we are succeeding in mastering the challenge. It is no time for half-measures, evasion or long-fingering. While others can suggest and...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----equipping and operation of new cardiac and renal facilities in Cork University Hospital; the planning of a new facility at Sligo General Hospital, using the public private partnership funding model, to include a new surgical department, intensive care unit and other developments; the major development of a new Mater adult teaching hospital; St. Vincent's phase 2 development, including...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----Loughrea, Navan, Fairview, Farnlea and Ballincollig in Cork-----

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: All of these developments will support new services and better patient care, at the highest international standards, and continue the progress we are making in improving outcomes for patients. Other key investment priorities will be science, technology and innovation, the promotion of environmental sustainability and the implementation of green enterprise initiatives. All of these...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The second and third phases for Clonmel are due to start in March of next year thanks to the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh. I will ask the Minister of State to keep the Deputy informed. Another element of stimulus is to the housing market with not only the extension of mortgage interest relief for those who brought in 2004, 2005 and 2006 when the market was at its peak, but the...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: My apologies. However, both parties, in this respect, based on what I am talking about, differ sharply on how to make up the €4 billion. Fine Gael want headline salary cuts imposed on the public sector. The Labour Party is strongly opposed to such a measure. The Labour Party also wants to see an extra €2.3 billion in taxes in a full year. Fine Gael tell us that it is not possible to...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: This is at the core of the issue facing us.

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We need quick decisive action to put our public finances back on track. It is unclear whether - even in Government - the Opposition parties would be able to agree a coherent and credible economic policy for the country.

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We do not want a repeat of the 1980s with the necessary action being deferred.

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Fine Gael assertion that it is not possible to tax the way to recovery is an empty mantra, given that the party proposes large hikes in employee PRSI to fund reductions in employer PRSI, and extending the health levy to incomes over €13,000, which is the same as a tax increase.

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Labour Party advocates a new top rate of tax which would mean an effective marginal rate of 59%, which is a reversion to the failed policies of a more socialist past. Over the next two years we will be spending over €100 billion in this country. Money will be invested in providing services from health to education to enterprise and jobs. We still have 1.8 million people at work -...

Financial Resolution No.5: General (Resumed). Debate resumed on the following motion: (10 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is difficult.

European Council Meetings. (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I attended the informal European Council in Brussels on Thursday, 19 November. The meeting was convened by the Swedish Presidency to discuss the appointment of the President of the European Council and the high representative of the Union for foreign affairs and security policy. As is well known by now, the European Council...

European Council Meetings. (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Swedish EU Presidency had been involved in a series of discussions in the days previous to the Council meeting. Having listened to all member states, it put forward one nomination for the post of Presidency of the Council of the European Union based on the broadest consensus available. Similarly, it put one nomination for the post of High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs...

European Council Meetings. (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter, as I said to the Deputy, I made clear to the Presidency my views regarding our preferences in respect of that position. The Deputy will be aware of this as we have previously discussed this matter at Question Time. Clearly I would not stand in the way of a consensus should one emerge. As one must, I left it with the Presidency to make the assessment in regard to what...

European Council Meetings. (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand that will happen this week.

European Council Meetings. (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Deputy for reminding us about it.

European Council Meetings. (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should let Alan know.

European Council Meetings. (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes. As I stated on the earlier matter, this a negotiating position developed by the European Union at the meeting of the European Council last week, and specifically suggesting a figure as to the amount the European Union would be prepared to provide. In terms of the overall global amount of approximately €7 billion, the indication is that €2.4 billion would be forthcoming from the...