Results 15,541-15,560 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The waste of valuable hours of Dáil debate on an unnecessary and unjustified motion of no confidence, at a time when there are real and pressing issues to be addressed, owes more to Deputy Kenny's need to prove to his Members that he is, in the words of Deputy Coveney, "up to the job" than it does to any real concern or reservation regarding the running and administration of the Department...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I wish to say unequivocally that I am happy to affirm complete confidence in the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea. I have the utmost confidence in his abilities and in his capacity to do his job. On my election as Taoiseach it was my privilege to reappoint him as Minister for Defence. Deputy O'Dea has served in that role with distinction and his track-record is second to none. While...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----and have settled the matter with the aggrieved party, I do not see why I should listen to the usual, predictable calls from the Opposition to remove from office arguably the best, the most efficient and the hardest-working Minister for Defence to serve the country in recent times. Members of the Opposition are more interested in innuendo and stirring up controversy than in people's...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I would like to spend some time balancing those books and pointing out that I have the utmost confidence in Deputy O'Dea, who has shown real skills in overseeing the continued modernisation of the Defence Forces and bringing about significant progress across a broad range of areas.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The McCarthy report acknowledged the ongoing modernisation in defence and this is the vein in which I want to see the Minister continue during the period ahead. It is worth pointing out some of the many achievements of Deputy O'Dea as Minister for Defence. He has placed great priority on acquiring equipment and rationalising military barracks. The investment he has overseen has led to an...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I wish to share time with the Ministers for Finance and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputies Brian Lenihan and Ryan. I make the point that whether it is in respect of overseas peace support, the development of the medical corps or the involvement of Defence Forces personnel in cash escorts, the Minister has always acted competently. In highlighting the Minister's...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The first of the three policy differences to which I refer relates to the triple lock. Unlike the other main political parties - Fianna Fáil, Labour, the Green Party - and the key independents, Fine Gael is committed to abandoning the letter and the spirit of the triple lock of Government, Dáil and UN approval before Irish troops serve overseas. The idea most consistently pursued by Fine...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----which would require us to more than double the number of people working in defence administration from just over 600 to over 1,400.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is clear that Fine Gael has little to contribute to discourse on defence policy.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Fine Gael's approach is to try to drag down the Minister and inflict whatever damage it can on the Government to disguise from its lack of ideas and policy.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: This Government is not going to bow to those cheap tactics. We have full confidence in the Minister for Defence and we look forward to him continuing to serve the Government and the people.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Your standards.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: What about standards?

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Nonsense.

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The evaluation of files for release to the National Archives is carried out by designated officials in my Department. I have no role in that process. As files are processed for release each year, it is normal that some are certified by the appropriate officials for retention on the grounds set forth in the Act. Some 805 files,...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: A Cheann Comhairle, as the questions relate to the National Archives Act, I do not have any supplementary material on issues other than that. That said, the bomb that went off in Newry must be condemned out of hand. The security co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI is at an all-time high. I met with both the PSNI Chief Constable and the Garda Commissioner only yesterday at an aside...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The principal National Archive storage accommodation is located at the headquarters offices at Bishop Street and the Four Courts. It is acknowledged that the National Archives suffer from a long-standing storage challenge on a constrained site. While efforts have been made to accommodate the State records within its Bishop Street premises, the accommodation currently available is...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of the position on the electronic aspect of the Deputy's question but I will check it out for him. I do not have available to me supplementary information in that regard. On the 30 year rule in respect of Cabinet records, it is important to point out that the Constitution provides that the confidentiality of discussions and meetings of Government shall be respected in all...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, the FOI legislation takes into account the constitutional position while at the same time providing for a differentiated approach which remains with the FOI decision-makers who, while independent, seek to comply with the legislation. The legislation envisages a differentiated approach in respect of certain if not all information being provided. It is not a question of all...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy said, the functions retained by the Taoiseach relate to those records older than 30 years, which are retained for public interest or other purposes. That is rightly in the domain of the Taoiseach because these are matters of major public interest with serious issues attaching to them. That is a function retained by the Taoiseach. I have never had reason to use it. I do not...