Results 16,341-16,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the nurses and midwives Bill is due to be published next week. The Whip has been rigorous in ensuring we get the Bills on A list. A complaint of Deputies is when Bills are put on the A list but they are not published. It is better to have as good and as accurate a list as possible which is realistic and based on current drafting issues. The Office of the Attorney General and...

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: They are being warmed up at the moment.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: To make a serious point, I understand consultations have been completed at this stage. I know this matter was raised by the Irish Cancer Society and I do not wish to belittle it in any way. On the other matters raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin, if it is not possible to give a publication date at this stage, it is best to say so but that it is not to suggest that work is not ongoing on the...

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Bill in question is very detailed and comprehensive. Work on the legislation is ongoing and heads have been drafted. Detailed discussions are required between the Office of the Attorney General and Department. The Bill, about which the Deputy speaks on a weekly basis, is very large. Perhaps I will dampen the Deputy's enthusiasm a little by stating it will not come before the House too...

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have a date for that Bill.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Government has not made a decision to hold such a referendum. The issue is one of a series of issues that would require a referendum were they to be proceeded with. The issue of holding a referendum on children is also being considered.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: Based on what the Minister has said, a referendum rather than legislation would be required to deal with the matter. A decision on the timing and detail of how or when that would be done has not been taken by the Government.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the question of banning certain products or substances, under the Misuse of Drugs Act it is proposed to introduce controls on a broad range of substances, which would make the possession and sale of these substances illegal and subject to criminal sanctions. The draft regulations have been notified to the European Commission under the relevant technical standards directives. This is a...

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is on the list for this session.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The second Bill is being drafted as a priority under the aegis of the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews. The landlord and tenant Bill will not be drafted until next year.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Government approved a framework for a climate change Bill which sets out its key priorities but work is still ongoing. A parliamentary question for the Minister on the attitude of the Department to the suggestion made is the best way to deal with this.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The first Bill is on Committee Stage in the Seanad and the second Bill is on Report Stage in the Seanad.

Order of Business (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is a matter for the Seanad.

Written Answers — Seanad Reform: Seanad Reform (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government chaired an All-Party Group on Seanad Reform, the aim of which was to establish the extent of cross party agreement on this issue. While all political parties agreed that there should be significant reform of the Seanad, there was no cross-party consensus on major constitutional reform.

Written Answers — Skills Strategy: Skills Strategy (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The concept of a Centre for Financial Services Skills arose during the consideration being given to the level of world class skills, education and training required to sustain and further develop the international financial services industry in this country. Addressing the skills needs of the industry both in terms of quality and quantity was seen as one of paramount importance to the...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, I launched the Report of the Innovation Taskforce in the Science Gallery, Trinity College on 11 March. As I stated at the launch, I very much welcome the Report which provides a roadmap for one of the five Action Areas in the Smart Economy Framework and complements the progress which has already been made on other aspects of the strategy. Specifically, it endorses the...

Written Answers — Departmental Equipment: Departmental Equipment (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is currently one agency under the aegis of my Department, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO). The number of personal computers and laptops currently deployed are set out below. Department of the Taoiseach details Device Number in Use PC's 237 Laptops 84 NESDO Details Device Number in Use PC's 26 Laptops 14

Written Answers — Departmental Equipment: Departmental Equipment (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is currently one agency under the aegis of my Department, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO). The number of photocopiers, laser printers, inkjet printers and multifunctional devices currently deployed are set out below. Department of the Taoiseach Details Device Number in Use Photocopiers 20 Laser Printers 87 Inkjet Printers 70 MultifunctionalDevices 16...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is currently one agency under the aegis of my Department, the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO). The total spend on printer consumables for each of the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010 is set out below. Department of the Taoiseach details Year Total Amount Spent 2006 â'¬ 74,157.69 2007 â'¬123,835.87 2008 â'¬120,711.21 2009...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The information requested is set out in the tables below for my Department and NESDO, which is the only agency under the aegis of my Department. Department of the Taoiseach Year Number of A4 Reams Number of A3 Reams Proportion of which is 100% recycled paper 2006 5290 100 98% 2007 4910 15 98% 2008 5100 0 99% 2009 4570 0 97% 2010 1000 0 100% NESDO Year Number of A4 Reams Number of...