Results 14,841-14,860 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (15 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will have to come back to the Deputy.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I differ from Deputy Kenny in that I do not believe there is a choice between one approach and the other. All expenditure must be reduced and it is being reduced. The administrative budgets are multi-annual, as the Deputy knows. Over the three years of the budgets we will seek to reduce administrative budgets along the lines suggested. We started this process this year. It is not a...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It does not matter, it is Christmas time. The fact of the matter is that all social and economic expenditure must be reduced.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Therefore, I do not accept the contention that it is a choice between one and the other. We will still have a deficit of €18.8 billion and an Exchequer borrowing requirement next year. The Deputy's proposal that we can sustain social welfare provision at €22 billion in the present circumstances is not an option.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It must be said candidly to the people that it is not an option.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: What is the Deputy saying?

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have explained to Deputy Kenny that he is inaccurate in what he has claimed. The administrative cut in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment amounted to €46 million. I do not have the specific details but the idea there will be no cuts in administration is ridiculous. I have explained to Deputy Kenny that the allocations referred to in the McCarthy report are multi-annual...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The McCarthy report recommended a 5% cut in all welfare rates. The Government, however, did not go down that road. It made a choice which seeks to maintain the real purchasing power of welfare payments against a background of a drop in the cost of living of 6.6% in 2009. I understand and acknowledge welfare rates, irrespective of whether the €8.30 has been removed, are not easy to live...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I read in this morning's newspaper about what the Governor of the Central Bank said to an Oireachtas committee. From my point of view, the resources of the State are currently involved in ensuring banking stability and that we can deal with the economic and financial issues that arise. I am sure there will be economic historians and economists who will continue to talk about the failure of...

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is the Department of Finance.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a real Sticky tactic.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore is checking the book. I am reading it at the moment.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Nice piece of political rhetoric but absolutely baseless in terms of the facts.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is baseless in terms of the facts. This is the usual story from Deputy Gilmore. Throw out a smear and see if the Taoiseach will deny it.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is the oldest trick in the book. The Deputy has been at it for years. The fact of the matter is-----

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----I have simply made a point that a comment made by the Governor of the Central Bank would have to be carefully considered by Government. That is what I said. We want to ensure-----

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----that the resources - I am speaking about the Department of Finance and elsewhere in Departments of State - are prioritised in terms of maintaining banking stability and ensuring that we are able to deal with the restructuring of the banking sector that is currently being undertaken.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Those are priorities and important matters. They are important in terms of engendering confidence in the direction this country is going. The historical issues that arise-----

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----as a result of what has happened in recent times are issues that will have to be carefully considered by Government. There are a number of considerations that have to be taken into account and this matter cannot be dealt with willy nilly. The matter will have to be carefully considered by Government.

Leaders' Questions (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Varadkar has obviously never been hit by a Meath half back before.