Results 15,121-15,140 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Sorry?

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I know how highly the Deputy regards accuracy in these matters. I want to give him the exact amount because he is not a man prone to exaggeration himself.

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Industrial relations machinery is available and it would be far better for many people if there was a centralised pay agreement in place. I am sure there are ongoing talks and contacts between employers and unions in the private sector considering whether that is possible. There has been no outcome yet. As the employer on the public sector pay side, we are not in a position to look at...

Social Partnership. (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I firmly believe that. We must try to find a way in which we can engage again on a constructive basis. That is not necessarily easy to achieve and there must be a great deal of reflection on it. It is the best way forward in due course and I would rather it be done with a view to the agenda that has been already identified as a means of making sure we can get better and winning outcomes...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance outlined the position on this matter in the House last week when he took the Order of Business. It is important to note that the question of funding for the cost of finance into our banking system is a matter that is of clear concern to the Government. It has been following policies that have ensured that the cost of money and terms used by the Government or...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The levels of mortgage interest rates at any given time reflect a broad range of factors, including ECB base rates, deposit rates, market funding costs, the competitive environment and an institution's overall funding. I do not know what level of retail outlets the Deputy wishes to see closed to make up some of the cost savings he claims he can make in banking services in this country....

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Education and Science will continue to work through the Higher Education Authority to see in what way he can monitor demand and identify opportunities to maximise the use of existing and available resources in responding to growing demand. The number of on-line applications for 2010 is 71,232. This means the current ratio of applicants to places is 1.6:1 rather than the...

Leaders' Questions (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The higher education sector recognises and shares a commitment to the need to maximise available resources. This year's recurrent and capital spend on higher education is more than €2 billion. I am simply making the point that the number of applications made at this point does not necessarily reflect the number of people who will be seeking places. However, I acknowledge the Deputy's...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Order of Business today shall be as follows: No. 12 - motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of an agreement between Ireland and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development on participation in the multilateral carbon credit fund; No. 13 - motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Maidir leis an coimisinéir, an rún atá os ár gcomhair ná go molann Dáil Éireann an tUasal Seán Ó Cuirreáin lena hathcheapadh ag an Uachtarán mar Coimisinéir Teanga. Sin cinneadh an Uachtaráin. Tá an rún ag dul go dtí an comhchoiste i dtús báire in aon chor agus tá díospóireacht ar siúl ar straitéis 20 bliain don teanga sa chomhchoiste agus tá siad ag dul go Gaillimh...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Yes, that is the normal procedure.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The nursing home issue is one that could be discussed in the first instance by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children. It is a matter of finding the best way to proceed with that issue. The question of a debate in the House on the role of the Defence Forces and peacekeeping is a matter for the Whips to arrange in due course. It is best to allow the process of engagement in...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the rather dismissive and puerile view that some Deputies have taken on this matter. It is a matter of concern to us all how we can assist families who may encounter difficulties in the present economic circumstances regarding the repayment of mortgages on their homes. There are references to that in the renewed programme for Government, which were rightly adverted to by...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: What is being done with that single initiative far exceeds the stated demand Deputy Gilmore suggests requires attention. The new code of conduct on mortgage arrears applies to all mortgage lenders. They must wait six months before initiating legal action from the time arrears arise and this period was increased to 12 months for Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland under the...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I cannot provide a detailed response to the Deputy in that respect. Presumably these matters are still under consideration but I will have the matter checked out. I cannot give an exact and accurate reply without notice. On the matter raised by Deputy O'Dowd, there has been a significant investment in our road network over the past decade with €15 billion spent on national and secondary...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The UK legislation to which the Deputy referred is running into trouble at the moment with regard to its adequacy and whether it can be implemented properly as envisaged. Thus, I am afraid it is not a question of cut and paste. I acknowledge the work the Deputy has done and ask him to contact the Minister for Health and Children and provide her with any documentation that could be helpful...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I know the Deputy is trying to be helpful.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not think it would require legislation.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have already indicated the effective interim initiatives that have been taken. Up to 14,000 families, for example, are being assisted under the mortgage interest relief scheme at the moment.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: A number of concerns have been raised by Deputies about this Bill on an ongoing basis. As Members know, it is a complex Bill and is being dealt with at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I will remind the Minister to continue to work as expeditiously as possible on the Bill as I would also like to see it published.