Results 15,101-15,120 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

European Council Meeting: Statements (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I attended the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday, 10 December and Friday, 11 December last. While some weeks have passed since the meeting took place, it is worthwhile for me to report to the House on the business of the meeting. It is important that we have this opportunity for statements on the matter. It was the first meeting of the European Council since the...

Written Answers — Departmental Websites: Departmental Websites (20 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department has 6 active (and 1 inactive) websites. SITE ANNUAL SUPPORT & MAINTENANCE CHARGE 2009 UNIQUE VISITS taoiseach.gov.ie €1,815.00 470,199 onegov.ie(formerly bettergov.ie) €1,815.00 (onegov) 23,470(bettergov) 97,480 betterregulation.ie €1,815.00 9,287 orp.ie €1,815.00 2,404 activecitizenship.ie €1,815.00 (Aug to Dec only) 6,878 inp.ie NIL 8,623 forumoneurope.ie *...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I wish to advise that the data sought has been compiled and was sent to the Deputy on 25 January 2010.

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department has no capital projects.

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The information sought by the Deputy is contained in the table beneath. Report Reason Date of Publication Cost to date(inc VAT) Report of the Taskforce on Active Citizenship(incl background and consultation papers) To examine the extent to which citizens engage in issues that affect them and their communities and make recommendations on public policy measures that could be taken to...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I take it that the Deputy's question concerns Tribunals for the payment of whose costs my Department has responsibility. In that context, my Department's responsibility relates only to the Tribunal of Inquiry into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters, known as the Moriarty Tribunal. This was established in September 1997 on foot of resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad. The cost of...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 157 together. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only agency currently under the aegis of my Department. It is an umbrella body for i) the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), ii) the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF), and iii) the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP). NESDO and its...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 13, inclusive, together. As Deputies are aware, we engaged in intensive dialogue with the social partners throughout last year with the objective of agreeing an integrated strategic response to the unprecedented economic challenges the country is facing. As part of our engagement with the social partners last year, the Government held discussions with...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have already answered the Deputy in detail on the claim he makes that there was a less than progressive adjustment in pay as one goes up the pay scale in the public service. That is not correct and it is a contention that Deputy Ó Caoláin continues to make without relevance to the facts.

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will explain it to the Deputy a second time.

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Did you not?

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Even in Deputy Ó Caoláin's world facts are facts. The question on less of a reduction being applied to higher-paid people than lower-paid people is the central thesis of Deputy Ó Caoláin's argument. We applied the pay reductions in a progressive way, as we did in regard to all the adjustments to the cost of public service pay. This has meant that lower paid public servants have suffered...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I made clear to the Deputy that the reductions we have introduced and for which we had to legislate stand. They are part of a reduction in the overall pay bill that is necessary in the context of trying to stabilise the public finances. That situation has not changed on 1 February as compared to 1 December. The Government had to make those decisions because of the necessity of the...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Any industrial action that is taken is regrettable and I believe it does not achieve objectives. We have to do everything possible to minimise the impact of any industrial action that is taken. What form it takes and whether there is action is a matter for individual unions to consider. We need to reflect on whether objectives would be achieved through this means, the extent to which we...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I have said, the Government considered the situation last December and, unfortunately, was obliged to take some necessary decisions on cuts in expenditure that included pay levels. We have no desire to go down that route again if we can have engagement on the other issues. There are still savings to be found and efficiencies that have been identified. There are ways forward that improve...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: We must make clear, in a way that is consistent with the public finance position as well, where we stand. I made the point on 9 December when we discussed these aspects in detail that there was no certainty in regard to 2011 and beyond regarding reductions in the public service pay bill. Unfortunately we did not reach a successful conclusion on that matter. There are issues surrounding...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have the detail for an exact reply to the second part of the Deputy's statement. It will have to be obtained from the Department of Finance and the Public Service, which have it. I can get it for him. As I said to the Deputy - I think last week - in regard to this matter, the reasoning for it was outlined publicly by the Minister for Finance. He and I have outlined to other...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The number involved in the grades mentioned with regard to the change in pay arrangements is close to 600.

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is the figure involved in those and other related grades.

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have-----