Results 15,321-15,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Government statement sets out the position that resource management is being examined, that we are involved in a consultative process and that the proposed section 60 cap on incineration requires a consultative process under EU directives, etc. That is what has happened.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The situation regarding whatever contractual arrangements Dublin City Council have will be considered and an investigating officer will be appointed by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, to examine that matter.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Obviously, we are all aware of this particular situation. The original settlement regarding these matters was made back in the 1970s. The Minister is awaiting a report from the State Claims Agency, which is expected this month. The Minister has asked the State Claims Agency to examine the Irish Thalidomide Association's claims and to assess them in the context of Irish and international...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: With respect, I have just explained the State Claims Agency will be reporting this month on the matter.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The original settlement was made-----

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----back in the mid-1970s.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The fact of the matter is that the tax-free allowance in Ireland, quite rightly, is €26,000 whereas it is £18,000 in Britain. While it is a serious disability, we have ensured that, in comparable terms, Ireland has not been at the back of the queue in that respect. However, the claims being made by the thalidomide association now include an additional lump sum and increased monthly...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister will meet them after she receives the report and is in a position to have a discussion with them about it.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister, who is the front line, will meet them.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is entitled by the Ceann Comhairle.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I obey the Ceann Comhairle.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am guided by the Ceann Comhairle. The fact of the matter is I hope to meet the Commissioner tomorrow on other business. I am sure she will be only too pleased to visit this country, as she will be visiting others, to listen and to indicate what her policy positions will be on these matters going forward.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the housing legislation was passed in July last.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will have to come back to the Deputy as to what the position is. I can only deal with legislation that is yet to be enacted. If there is legislation enacted and there is a problem, a parliamentary question is probably the best way of getting accurate information. On the other matter the Deputy raised, it will be the end of the year.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand there has been a statement from the Financial Regulator today that Bank of Scotland has informed the Financial Regulator of its commercial intention to close the Halifax retail banking business and the Bank of Scotland (Ireland) intermediary business in the Republic of Ireland, commencing at the end of May. The Financial Regulator is working with Bank of Scotland (Ireland) to...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: That Bill is being prepared. It will probably be after the summer before it is ready.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I refer to the programme for Government which makes reference to enacting legislation for a directly elected mayor of Dublin in 2010. As I said in response to Deputy Gilmore when he asked about it yesterday, heads of a Bill were approved by Government yesterday. No decisions on remuneration have been made at this point. When the Bill is prepared, it will be published and debated. In the...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the biological weapons Bill were approved this week.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Work will proceed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on bringing forward the Bill in full. The issues the Deputy raised are probably best left for discussion with the Minister as he prepares the scope of the Bill, or for Second Stage when it is published. I understand the other one will be later this year.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I heard what Deputy Higgins said and I will bring that matter to the attention of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and ask him to revert to the Deputy.