Results 15,701-15,720 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I indicated that there are many statutory duties which Ministers must fulfil. One of these duties, which must be discharged, is to make appointments to State boards. If there are those inside or outside the House who know people who might possess the relevant experience and who would be suitable for appointment to State boards, they should bring the matter to the attention of the relevant...
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together. Procedurally, requests for use of this service are made by Ministers' private secretaries to my office and are dealt with, in the first instance, by the staff of my office. Requests are examined by my staff with regard to the need for and purpose of travel, the destination and other logistical details. Any necessary clarification...
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: My function is simply to approve the use of the service. If Deputy Kenny wishes to have detailed records of any flights undertaken I understand they are maintained by the Department of Defence and that question should be tabled specifically to that Department.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I authorise the provision of the aircraft for the purpose of ministerial visits to a country. I do not deal with operational matters that occur when people get there. If the Deputy has any questions on operational matters a phone call to the Department of Defence will get him the answer rather than looking up the Internet.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I am trying to figure out where Deputy Kenny is coming from in all of this.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I was appointed Taoiseach on 7 May 2008. Deputy Kenny referred to a flight that took place on 3 February 2008. I had no involvement in the matter. That is the first point. The second point is that in my reply to Deputy Kenny I said that any Taoiseach of the day provides the authorisation to use the Government jet for ministerial visits abroad. As Deputy Kenny knows ministerial air...
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: As I explained, nor would the Taoiseach of the day have been involved in that issue.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: No problem. I will get the file.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore cannot take that as being the case.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore did not hear that.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: That is what I am saying-----
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: It is very simple. As I have explained and as Deputy Gilmore is aware, the Taoiseach of the day authorises the use of the jet. When the jet takes off from Baldonnel on its ministerial visit or other trip, the decisions on whatever technical issues or operational details that arise are taken by the flight personnel themselves. The Department of Defence holds the records and if people have...
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: Thereafter, whatever arises is dealt with by the Department of Defence. That is what I am saying.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore is in a facetious mood today whatever is wrong with him. The decision to return to Baldonnel Aerodrome before travelling back to Copenhagen was made by the Air Corps for operational reasons. The Copenhagen Airport authority advised the Air Corps that due the large number of aircraft expected for the summit, the GIV jet could not overnight in Copenhagen. Having regard to...
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I will have to check with my office what the technical arrangements would be in that case. Ministers who have use of the jet are on official business and that is fine. However, I will have to check the details of the hypothetical scenario set out by the Deputy.
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: As I said, there is a requirement for a ministerial air transport service. There is an ongoing requirement for the Government and the President to maintain active economic, political and cultural relations with countries not only in Europe but across the globe. We regularly have to participate in international discussions and negotiations with bodies such as the European Union and the...
- Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: As for a cost analysis, one instance pertains to the loss of days and times, as well as the overnight stays that would be involved in being obliged to stay overnight in other locations, rather than getting back to fulfil duties at home. The commercial airline industry does not fulfil all the requirements for a flexible and efficient service with which Ministers can do their jobs, both at...
- Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: As the Minister for Finance has pointed out, we are preparing a comprehensive response to all of those issues. Today's issue, however, relates to the results that have arisen in AIB. Those results show that NAMA is forcing the banks to face up to the reality of their bad loans. Everybody knows that the banks loaned far too much to speculative property development. NAMA is making the banks...
- Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: The indication that they are seeking to raise private capital, in the first instance through the disposal of assets or a rights issue, is an option that is available to the banking sector. We have made it clear in our recapitalisation statements that we will be prepared, if necessary, in the interest of a viable banking sector to proceed on that basis.
- Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: The management plan from Anglo Irish Bank, which has been submitted to the European Commission, suggests, in the aftermath of the relevant loans being transferred to NAMA, setting up a self-contained bad bank within Anglo Irish Bank and providing for a new good bank. This plan has already been submitted to the European Commission, but it remains to be seen whether it will be approved. There...