Results 16,061-16,080 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Overseas Visit: Overseas Visit (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I travelled to the United States as part of the traditional St. Patrick's Day celebrations. On St. Patrick's Day in Washington I met with President Obama in the oval office where we discussed the global economic situation, recent developments in Northern Ireland, European and international issues and Ireland-US relations. I also attended the St Patrick's Day lunch on Capitol Hill, hosted by...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Recruitment: Defence Forces Recruitment (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The 2000 White Paper on Defence and the earlier Defence Force Review Implementation Plan both identified the requirement to address the high age profile in the Defence Forces. The key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. This requirement must be balanced with the need to retain experience and expertise, particularly at...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The premises leased by my Department for use by the Reserve Defence Forces are outlined in the tabular statement. Rents paid for these premises are based on a number of factors including size, location and quality of the facilities and vary considerably. Information on the leases and individual rents paid in respect of these premises is commercially sensitive and therefore not available....

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action it is not possible to provide a response to his question at this time.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: In July 2009, the Government approved Ireland's participation in the Swedish-led Nordic Battlegroup 2011. The Nordic Battlegroup 2011 will be on standby for 6 months commencing on the 1st January 2011. To date Ireland has deployed four Officers to serve in staff posts at the Force Headquarters in Enkoping, Sweden and these officers took up their duties on the 28th August 2009. The Nordic...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Conduct: Defence Forces Conduct (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I can confirm that correspondence has been received from the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. It should be noted that in the case of a serving member of the Defence Forces an action may only be investigated by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces where a complaint regarding that action was first made under section 114 of the Defence Act...

Written Answers — Defence Forces Equipment: Defence Forces Equipment (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 614 to 617, inclusive, together. Tender competitions for defensive equipment for the Defence Forces are conducted by the Department of Defence in accordance with EU procurement guidelines. For procurements of defensive equipment in excess of €1 million, the European Defence Agency (EDA) Code of Conduct on Defence Procurement is observed and competitions are...

Written Answers — Health and Safety Issues: Health and Safety Issues (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Following concerns arising in relation to work undertaken on behalf of the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government at the ISPAT site, as a purely precautionary measure, an independent investigation of any potential health issues arising at the Naval Base in Haulbowline was undertaken in 2008. A comprehensive and detailed assessment of soil, sediment and air quality was...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (23 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: In my capacity as Minister for Defence, I did not incur any foreign travel, accommodation, related Ministerial or official costs associated with Saint Patrick's Day 2010.

Ministerial Appointments: Announcement by Taoiseach (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Before proceeding to Leaders' Questions, I wish to bring an announcement to the attention of the House regarding ministerial and Minister of State appointments. I wish to announce for the information of the Dáil that having informed the President that Dáil Éireann had approved my nomination of Deputy Pat Carey and Deputy Tony Killeen to be Members of the Government, the Presidential...

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The issues the Deputy raises do not come up for sanction from Government.

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The former leader-----

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: These matters do not come up for sanction from the Government, as the Deputy knows or should know. On the particular issue, the chairman of the bank in question outlined this morning precisely the position. There has been a reduction in numbers, extra responsibilities have been assigned to certain staff and there is a totally new management team in place. The board has the Government's...

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Anglo Irish Bank is being run at arm's length by the new management team and board. This is in line with best practice. A relationship framework is set out regarding what the Minister is responsible for and not responsible for in relation to the bank. In the area of remuneration the Minister approves any changes to general remuneration, the pay of senior management and fees to directors....

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Just as the Minister does not set-----

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will try one more time. Just as the Minister does not set pay levels for a substation chief in the ESB, neither does he set pay levels for a person who is in charge of information technology in a bank. That is in line with best practice.

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The board and management of the bank have a serious job of work to do. They are getting on with that job and seeking to de-risk the bank. We need people in the bank to do the job. The chairman set out in detail this morning what are the circumstances in relation to these matters. The relationship framework sets out the position.

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the issues related to the annual report, it will be a matter for the bank to publish the report in due course. As the Deputy stated, the report is imminent. On that matter, the Minister for Finance has indicated he will come to the House with a full indication of Government policy on any decisions that have to be made and recapitalisation proposals that have to be considered in due...

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, extra responsibilities have been given to some specialist staff in the bank. I do not have the details of that, which is a matter for the management and board of the bank. The issue, from the Government's point of view, is that in respect of what emerges as a result of what has happened in the bank, we want to ensure the taxpayer is protected to the greatest possible extent.

Leaders' Questions (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is the whole focus of the management and board of the bank. The board enjoys the confidence of the Government in seeking to do this serious task and the chairman set out the position this morning.