Results 16,441-16,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 20, Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 21, Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 8 shall be decided without debate. Private Members'...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible to anticipate that at this stage. The Minister of State with responsibility for children is working with various Departments arising out of the report, the proposed wording that emanated from it and the good work done by all concerned. Considerable work and consideration must be given to that now to make sure issues are covered and handled properly and also dealt with by...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister of State with responsibility for children has to do considerable work on this with other Departments in the first instance before the Government can consider it and he can come forward then.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance has outlined on a number of occasions that a few Central Bank Bills will be brought forward this year. We are currently dealing with the first of them. The next Bill, the No. 2 Bill, relates to many of the matters being raised by the Deputy. The consultation paper drawn up by the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator will be an excellent input into that and...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be in the autumn.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. There is a national monuments Bill, the heads of which were approved recently, but it requires a lot of work. It is a huge Bill and it will probably be next year before it is brought forward for enactment. I am aware of the issue that has been raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin and I will take it up with the Minister. I was not aware of the import of the other matter raised by the Deputy but...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is not as yet a date for the Bill but work on it is ongoing. The Cabinet committee will deal with it in due course.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: No legislation is promised on this matter but the Government has sought to be fair and compassionate to thalidomide survivors, to assist with their current and future medical and social needs and with reference to provisions made in other countries for survivors of thalidomide. The State Claims Agency has brought forward a report on the matter at the request of the Minister. I understand...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the health information Bill will be available later this year but there is no date for the eligibility Bill.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no date.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have noted what the Deputy had to say.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not believe I misled the public in any way. The intention was not to mislead but to provide as much supplementary information as I possibly could. I do not accept the Deputy's contention that there was intent to mislead on my part.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The point I was making was that there is a scheme in place on which all pensioners depend.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I stated it was important that it be pre-funded, as with all private sector pensions. The issue that arose on this matter was not as contended. The payment was being portrayed as a top-up but it was to meet the statutory requirements given that the annual report was at the end of March, and to indicate the payments that had to be made into the scheme in order to ensure the usual provisions...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: It was the same CEO-----

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The problem is that Deputy Shortall continues to interrupt when people reply. I am outlining the situation as it is and, therefore, there is no question of there being any intent to mislead. As we know, since the time in question, Mr. Boucher will not be taking up the option to retire at 55, which means the payment does not have to be made into the pension fund at this time. That is the...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Shortall likes to have a debate rather than ask a question. I have made the point that the payment was into a general scheme. Obviously, it was about making sure there was a sufficient pre-funded pension for Mr. Boucher, who is one of many beneficiaries of the scheme. That is the point I was making.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I did not. I do not wish to be-----

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The other point the Deputy was making was on-----

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have already replied to Deputy Gilmore on the other matter. I understand there is a statement by the Minister on that matter today.