Results 15,161-15,180 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: This Administration is applying a higher level of capital investment than any one of which Deputy Gilmore was a member.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with Deputy Gilmore's revision of history. Throughout that period he was involved in promoting spending plans far greater than any this Government ever proposed, yet he now comes in here and suggests we were spending too much. We will let the record speak for itself.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I also reject the Deputy's contention that there is complacency in the Government about these matters. He talks about unemployment, but when the likes of him were in office and Governments deferred the necessary decisions to correct the public finances, we saw unemployment rise to 20% or 22%.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Our refusal to defer those necessary decisions and our effort to secure people's futures by taking the right decisions now, however difficult they may be, are the means through which we can ensure jobs are created again in the future.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: We recognised — in fact, it was set out in the budgetary strategy outlined by the Minister for Finance — that unemployment could rise to 13.5% this year.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: However, we are also saying that growth can return to the economy this year.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: If we had not taken the decisions we did, we would not see the return of growth; we would see Ireland moving deeper into recession. I remind Deputies that there are other countries with high unemployment. Spain, for example, has an unemployment rate of 19%. To suggest that Ireland is the outlier on unemployment is not correct.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I acknowledge that the reduction in employment in the construction industry has had a major effect on our unemployment figures. The required stimulus is being provided through the 5% capital investment plan on which we have agreed, even at a time of unprecedented financial and economic difficulty. Such funding of employment support agencies and others will continue, as will the increased...

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: What we have from the Labour Party and others is the continuing contention that we can spend our way out of this recovery, when we patently cannot.

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 20, inclusive, together. I met the UK Prime Minister, Mr. Brown, and discussed the political situation in Northern Ireland on Thursday, 14 January in Downing Street and again on Monday, 25 January. From there we travelled to Hillsborough Castle where we held talks over three days with all the Northern Ireland parties on outstanding issues relating to the...

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: People are speculating in that regard. I have seen statements from the deputy leader of the DUP that there is no such diverse opinion in the party regarding the conduct of the negotiations and that Mr. Robinson enjoys the full support of his party. Negotiations are taking place about finding a resolution to all the problems so all parties can give their support to new arrangements. That...

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Secretary of State was confirming, as has been the case in successive US Administrations, the support of the Administration for a successful outcome that would ensure the institutions are sustained and operated as envisaged under the agreements that have been reached between the Governments and the parties. Prime Minister Brown and I were seeking to bring sides together to indicate ways...

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The last point is the salient point. It is more likely to succeed if the parties agree among themselves. If, however, that is not possible, the Governments must take on their responsibilities and respond to public opinion with Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland, whereby people want to see the talks concluded successfully, with the institutions they have voted for working as...

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: In response to Deputy Gilmore, I understand his point. However, the fact of the matter is that if there is a difficulty in the process and the Governments, as co-guarantors of the agreements, wish to see full implementation of these agreements with the participation of the other parties, particularly in the context of the devolution of policing and justice given the steps that must be taken...

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: There are a number of issues and it is important not to reduce outstanding issues to just two. There are a number of matters relating to implementation of the agreement that must be addressed. In talking about steps to devolution, the justice Bill for the creation of a justice department has been passed by the Assembly and once agreement has been reached between the parties the following...

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: In my original reply I explained the position in respect of those inquiries. We have experience of the commission inquiry into the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. While much was achieved, it did not resolve the issues for the relatives. We also have the work of the Eames-Bradley group. There are also issues that have arisen where legal proceedings have been initiated. A number of relatives...

Northern Ireland Issues. (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It has been raised at a political level by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, who is dealing with these matters on ongoing basis. We have been supportive of trying to find an investigative mechanism that is required for the Pat Finucane issue. I met the family on a number of occasions. I am mindful of the fact that the Eames-Bradley group provides us with an...

Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 27, Arbitration Bill 2008 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; No. 28, Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 4, Employment Agency Regulation Bill 2009 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 82, motion re gangland crime (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m. if...

Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the question on the ESRI report, the first part of the report constitutes a response to the environmental report on the strategic environmentalist process in respect of the proposed section 60 policy direction on the incineration cap and ancillary matters. The second part constitutes a response to the international review of waste management policy undertaken by Eunomia consortium....

Order of Business (3 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: No, I do not have that information as yet. I am seeking it for the Deputy but I did not have an opportunity yesterday from the time I was in the House and attending parliamentary party and other meetings. I am having the matter investigated and I will obtain the information for the Deputy as speedily as possible. From memory the numbers are in the order of 655.