Results 15,341-15,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Given the amount of interest articulated in the House on a constant basis in regard to this matter, the purpose of the correspondence was to bring people up to date as to what issues are being addressed. The purpose of the correspondence was to update Deputies in far greater detail than I would be able to give on the Order of Business on what exactly are the issues being addressed and...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware that is the case. I understand the first Bill would be introduced in the normal way. There are two Bills being brought forward to deal with the proposed regulatory changes which the Minister for Finance has in mind. The work has been divided in that way in order that we can progress with the first Bill at, I understand, Easter. The Minister has indicated the time frame and...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the heads of a Bill are currently being prepared but I cannot give a time as to when they will be brought to the Government.

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. Seven freedom of information requests were received in my Department to date in 2010. Of these, two were part granted and the remaining five are still being processed. As regards FOI requests received in the years 2002 to 2009, the following table shows the number received in each of those years and the number that were granted...

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The policy in respect of freedom of information legislation is decided initially by Government and then subsequently by the Oireachtas. While one takes into account what might be stated in the annual reports of the Ombudsman or the Information Commissioner to the Minister for Finance - who deals with these matters - ultimately it is the responsibility for the Government and the Oireachtas to...

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The point to make on freedom of information is that the idea that some issues require freedom of information requests does not suggest that people are unduly secretive about the information that is available. The nature of some of the requests under the Freedom of Information Act is by definition personal or confidential; those requests may relate to the health records of the individual...

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of any intention to accommodate that. The issue in question could well be addressed by parliamentary questions in any event. The functions of the NTMA are a matter of organisation for the Minister for Finance. Obviously, the Minister and other agencies, such as the Central Bank, will continue to advise generally on these kinds of matters in so far as they are appropriate to...

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not subscribe to the Deputy's conspiracy theory. First, as Minister for Finance, the terms of the freedom of information legislation were historically widened beyond those set by any of my predecessors or successors. I have broadened the application of the Freedom of Information Act to far more bodies than was the case when Deputy Gilmore's party introduced it. I contend that my...

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have not received any such lobbying whatever from the banks on that matter. It is clear that bank confidentiality rules have to apply for the efficient and effective running of these bodies. The same applies to any other operation of this kind and, for a whole lot of obvious reasons, that is the rationale behind it. The FOI Act should not automatically apply to every body that is...

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: They did not lobby me.

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I refer to the facts within my knowledge.

Freedom of Information. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is correct. I do not subscribe to the view that there should be freedom of information in regard to the operations of NAMA for obvious reasons such as bank confidentiality and so on. To enact legislation contrary to bank confidentiality rules would ensure the agency would not work at all. Perhaps that is what the Deputy wants to happen since he does not support the operation of...

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. The projected cost of the communications unit in 2010 is €242,269, with a direct cost to the Department of €112,220 and the balance being paid by three other Departments which have staff seconded to the unit. The projected cost for 2010 represents a reduction of 6% on the 2009 cost, 20% on the 2008 cost and 27% on the 2007...

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: As a matter of interest, I do not recall being informed of this by the communications unit, but I am satisfied the Minister is not in breach of any of those arrangements.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I just said to the Deputy that I did not recall being informed of this matter by the communications unit on 21 December.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Certainly, if it is a matter of standards, perhaps the Deputy will defer a little bit from some of the more obvious intimations he is making in terms of what he has to say. I have already said that I believe there has been no breach by the Minister in any of the issues that arise. He will make a personal explanation of that in the House today.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not relevant whether it did or not.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: No, it is not because I do not believe that anything has been breached by the Minister anyway.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Yes, but it is not relevant one way or the other.

Departmental Expenditure. (16 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not.