Results 14,941-14,960 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Innovation Task Force. (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will know, that announcement was in respect of a very direct change in policy by the ESB to promote sustainable energy initiatives to help build more sustainable energy projects in Ireland over a period of years. It was not suggested that 3,900 jobs would be created over night, but the company indicated it was committed. It made the commitment in terms of investment and over a...

Independent Members. (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 8, inclusive, together. The agreements referred to are political agreements entered into by my predecessor as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual Independent Deputies - namely, Deputies Healy-Rae and Lowry. On becoming leader of Fianna Fáil, I confirmed to the Deputies concerned that I would continue to implement those agreements. As the...

Independent Members. (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I have stated previously, no changes were made to the arrangements in advance of the budget. Obviously, I meet Deputies on all sides of the House from time to time, with varying degrees of success depending on their disposition. I make the point that political agreements and arrangements are in place. I would be hesitant were the Deputy to try to second-guess how Deputy Healy-Rae wishes...

Independent Members. (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Obviously the electorates of those constituencies do not agree with the Deputy.

Independent Members. (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore might find value in a meeting some time.

Independent Members. (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is not as shy as he lets on. With regard to the comments of Deputies Ó Caoláin and Kenny, it is well known that agreements are in place with people who support the Government and the Government seeks to honour them in the context of available resources and priorities and programme for Government commitments. It is the same for political parties as Independent Deputies and,...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I reject Deputy's Kenny's political assertions on a whole range of fronts in respect of these matters. First, the Government has always said it will give careful consideration to this issue and that it requires such careful consideration. That is why we have come forward with our proposal. Second, we do not wish to cut across existing investigations, whether of a criminal or regulatory...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Political jibes and attacks are no substitute for substance.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny has just displayed his incapacity to look objectively at any aspect of this issue. We need people with expertise who will objectively assemble the facts and on the basis of those facts enable the Oireachtas to deal with them and to come forward with whatever recommendations they wish based on whatever proceedings are proposed in the appropriate Oireachtas committee. That is...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Again, I reject the contentions made by Deputy Gilmore. First, on the question of the holding of an inquiry, I said it did require careful consideration. Absolutely. Issues require to be urgently dealt with by Government in the coming weeks and months on the restructuring of the banking system, the transfer of assets to NAMA, and the need to ensure that the recovery and stabilisation we...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: If Deputy Gilmore on the one hand wants an inquiry to be prolonged and open-ended; we know how one goes about doing that.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The benefit of the commission of investigation approach is that it provides tribunal-like powers without tribunal-like costs and tribunal-like timespans, which is what the public and everyone in this House is interested in. Deputy Gilmore quoted the Governor of the Central Bank. He indicated at the time that what we want to do is put the finger on any processes and structures in our entire...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Those decisions that have been taken by Government have been democratically debated in this House, have been legislated upon and are part of the recovery we are seeking to achieve not only in the financial area but for the economy as a whole. More urgent work needs to be done on that issue in the future weeks and months, which the Government is committed to doing, as the Minister for Finance...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: However, it is clear also, if I may say so, in regard to what Deputy Gilmore has had to say publicly on these matters, even as late as last Sunday, that he has predetermined his decision as to what the situation was regarding this matter, so his objectivity is not really available to us either. Let it be dealt with by people with expertise, let the Oireachtas deal with it on the basis of the...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I did not say that either.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of the inquiry is to look into the background and causes of the financial problems that arose. That is what we are doing. Since they arose, we had to take decisions, including emergency decisions. They have been debated in this House and their merits or demerits, according to how people have felt democratically, have been discussed and debated. Thankfully, the decisions have...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Sorry, Deputy. If I may explain to the Deputy, no one is excluded. I said I am available at any time in respect of any decisions I have ever taken in public office at any time.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the idea that anyone is excluded, nobody is excluded. The terms of reference of the commission of investigation will be drawn up based on the reports which will be provided by Professor Honohan and the international experts.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: In the meantime, in respect of any reports they bring forward, if they wish to speak to any personages in this House or elsewhere, we will all be available to talk to them as well. There is no problem in regard to any of that.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The point I want to make is that Professor Honohan said at the time that he did not think a witch hunt was the answer.