Results 15,961-15,980 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Had I proceeded along the lines suggested by Deputy Ó Caoláin and avoided the decision on the overall public service pay and pensions bill, which we believed was necessary, the curtailment of services would have been all the greater. The Deputy cannot have it every way. He cannot tell us to maintain services and avoid reductions in pay while continuing with a budgetary strategy in respect...

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: You did not.

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry, I had a look at Sinn Féin's economic policy-----

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----and I heard it articulated on radio and television over the weekend.

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with it. I listened to the Deputy's leader as he extolled the virtues of his party's economic policy but I think it is wrong. More taxation would increase unemployment.

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the idea-----

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----that he is not going to control the public service pay bill while increasing services, the Deputy must believe in a bigger deficit and taxpayers taking on more debt in the current circumstances. He believes in paying more interest on debt and increasing the burden on the State to fund these services.

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is so much we can do as a State in the current circumstances. The Deputy referred to a stimulus package of €3.2 billion but we have already put in place a package worth €6.4 billion.

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will not get into an argument on the matter. I am making the point that the Deputy is not correct to suggest we do not have a strategy. I am not prepared to walk away from the budgetary strategy which the Government has set nor am I in a position to do so. No responsible Government in our position would do that. However, I am interested in finding a realistic basis on which to engage...

Public Service Reform. (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The role that the Government will play in this matter will be consistent with our budgetary strategy while at the same time providing a means by which people can constructively engage with us on these matters. I am not here to negotiate in public or to suggest that the matrix or form which the Deputy is suggesting is comprehensive in terms of the full agenda that needs to be addressed....

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 18, Finance Bill 2010 - Report and Final Stages (Resumed); and No. 19, Road Traffic Bill 2009 - Second Stage (Resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10.30 p.m. The resumed Report and Final Stages of No. 18 shall be taken today and,...

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for the procedures of the House as to how that matter can be taken forward.

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I have indicated, this is a matter for the procedure of the House. As I understand it, the Ceann Comhairle is on notice of any private notice questions that may have been submitted. The Report and Final Stages of the Finance Bill are to be completed today. That is a very important matter that must be dealt with as well.

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I realise Deputy Reilly is not long in this place.

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is a matter for the Whips to consider for tomorrow's business.

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is being generated as a controversy.

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Can I reply? There is a much misrepresentation.

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: A number of misrepresentations have been made by the Opposition and I want to clear up the factual situation. The Ombudsman Act is entirely silent on how the Houses of the Oireachtas should deal with a special report laid before each House. The Ombudsman presented a special report to each House of the Oireachtas at which time she invited them to consider the report and "take whatever action...

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am explaining the situation.

Order of Business (10 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I just heard from Deputy Gilmore about the need to avoid partisanship in respect of this matter. He wanted to have this matter dealt with by the committee to avoid all partisanship. Deputy Creed has been involved in a game of partisanship for months.