Results 16,261-16,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: However, I also know the game that is being played here.
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: A game is being played.
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: The game the Deputy is trying to play involves accusing me of economic treason on the basis that I am beholden to some unnamed people who were in the property business and that is what my party and I stand for.
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I will not accept that because it is not true. As regards the question of publishing advice, we were sitting down in a room that night to decide what decisions were to be taken. It was not a question of going around looking for papers or looking to see if there were options. We sat down to consider the decision that had to be taken before the opening of business the next morning to ensure...
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: That was the level of decision I had to make and I was not prepared to take a risk with this economy in any respect. I took advice on that and we made the political decisions conscientiously.
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: Let me further state that when it came to early 2009 and we had to nationalise Anglo Irish Bank, if we had not put capital into that bank at that point, what would have happened? We would have had to face the sort of bills which the Minister, Deputy Lenihan, has pointed out-----
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: That reality remained, it was the same yesterday and there is a requirement to do the same today.
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: A suggestion is being made that the choice was between zero, let it go to the wall or to put money into a bank to protect these unnamed benefactors the Deputies are talking about. That was not the choice. The choice was whether to find a solution that, unfortunately, involves having to make unpalatable decisions such as putting more money into the bank or a bigger bill than if we let it go...
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: What we are trying to do and what we are doing in respect of the comprehensive decision made yesterday is to say to the people that this is the solution to put this right, to fix the system, to ensure people have access to credit and to ensure the country can get back on the path of growth again. If we do not do that, if we did not do what we did yesterday and pursue it and deal with it in...
- Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: We would not be immune from this any more than anyone else. It is the case that we have had problems and we have had to deal with them but I will not accept the contention made by Deputy Gilmore in the questions about me and my motivation. The Deputy is entitled to disagree with me but he should not question my patriotism to my country.
- EU Summits. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I attended the spring meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, 25 and 26 March. As I will be making a statement to the House later today, I will confine myself to giving a summary account of the proceedings now. The meeting discussed a new European strategy for growth and jobs, often referred to as EU...
- EU Summits. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I do not accept that the EU is unmindful of the need for social cohesion. As part of the fundamental objectives of the union there is a cohesion policy to provide for a socially inclusive society and one which is economically dynamic and which can provide standards of living, jobs and a quality of life for the European Union. We must do this in the context of a very competitive world...
- EU Summits. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: As I explained to the Deputy, this issue was raised by our delegation and others. This was a work-in-progress discussion the Heads of State and Government were having and it was agreed by everybody that further work was needed in this area. The fact it was highlighted and such work will now take place is an indication that there was not a dismissive attitude being taken to this target no...
- EU Summits. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: There was no request from Greece for funds before the Council. This meeting was a follow-up on the February Council statement which said it would provide support for Greece. That was to satisfy the markets from which Greece is trying to obtain funds. Greece wishes to handle this matter itself as a sovereign state and it is taking tough measures to do that. There was no request before the...
- EU Summits. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: First, Greece has not requested such an outcome. Should that eventuality occur, the European Central Bank and the European Commission would work out what conditionality they regard as appropriate and necessary which would then be put to the Council. Tables have been set out outlining the nature of our contribution. It would not be a question of each member state deciding what conditions it...
- EU Summits. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: In the aftermath of the strategy being adopted at EU level, national programmes are devised thereafter. We are in the process of discussing the European strategy and the national programme will be devised in the aftermath of decisions adopted by Europe. The general thrust of the strategy proposed, considering the importance of research, development and innovation, is in line with the...
- EU Summits. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: Taking the last point first, the economic and social strategy of the EU does not get into the detail of overseas development aid commitments, even though the European Union is the largest contributor of overseas development aid in the world. I do not envisage that point being incorporated into the strategy. That is not to say it is not an important issue but it is not part of the parameters...
- Departmental Groups. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 10, inclusive, together. In answering these questions I am interpreting "working groups" as groups which are working towards completion of particular projects or tasks rather than groups which meet on a continuous or ongoing basis to provide strategic direction. As part of the transforming public services agenda, a working group, chaired by my...
- Departmental Groups. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: In respect of particular projects, it would meet reasonably regularly. The level of work involved would dictate how regular it meets. I do not have with me the dates in respect of the meetings of that working group but I can obtain them for the Deputy.
- Departmental Groups. (31 Mar 2010)
Brian Cowen: As I outlined in my reply to Deputy Gilmore, I have interpreted "working groups" as groups working towards the completion of projects or tasks rather than to groups which meet on a continuous or ongoing basis to provide strategic direction which, for example, would include the senior officials group on social inclusion. If the Deputy tables a specific question in that regard, I will be able...