Results 16,481-16,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Residential Institutions Redress Scheme: Residential Institutions Redress Scheme (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. Along with the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science, the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Health and Children and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, and following on from the publication last year of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (the Ryan Report), I met separately on 15...

Written Answers — Departmental Committees: Departmental Committees (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, Children and Integration met on 13 February and 26 November 2008; 20 May and 28 October 2009 and 3 March to date in 2010. The date of the next meeting has yet to be confirmed.

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: Without having been given notice, I would not have that sort of information. It would be a matter for the Minister for Finance to reply to the Deputy.

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. As the Government, including the Minister for Finance, pointed out on the occasion, the arrangement in question is a technical reclassification which changes on a once-off basis the deficit figure for this year. It has been factored in by the bond market and market analysts, as confirmed by the continuing support that exists for the Irish economy. That a private offer was successful at...

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: During the period 2007-09, there was a sea-change in regard to the view of the regulatory system and its adequacy. For that reason, whatever work was ongoing had to take account of the new circumstances after autumn 2008. On the membership of any advisory group, I am sure the members in question were recommended within the Department. There has been a very close working relationship between...

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that in any sense whatsoever. I do not accept the assertions being made by the Deputy. On the question of the involvement of the financial sector in the preparation of legislation, yesterday the Financial Regulator, Mr. Elderfield, and the Governor of the Central Bank, Professor Honohan, produced a consultation paper on various regulatory changes they now envisage in respect...

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is the answer to that particular point.

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no reply I could give that would satisfy Deputy Burton on anything. That has been the experience of everyone.

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am sure there may even be a few people in her own party that have the same feeling from time to time. However, in relation to-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: In relation to the appointment of the firm referred to by Irish Nationwide, that decision was taken by the building society's operational management which it obviously stands over. I believe we should wait and see what work they do rather than deciding that they are not capable of doing it.

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. Deputies will be aware of the recent Government decision to amalgamate the three constituent bodies of the National Economic and Social Development Office by absorbing the National Economic and Social Forum, NESF, and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance, NCPP, into the National Economic and Social Council, NESC....

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy's questions are detailed ones about the contents of reports, which may be better put to the line Ministers concerned. I do not have a detailed knowledge of all the reports referred to. However, I will make the general point that the purpose of the change in the consultants' contract is to ensure that the availability of consultant staff is properly monitored and that the service...

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The NESC was the first of the bodies established back in 1973 as an advisory body to the Government on economic and social matters. Its mandate was to analyse and report on strategic issues relating to the efficient development of the economy, the achievement of social progress and the development of a strategic framework for the conduct of negotiations and agreements between Governments and...

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry; what was the Deputy's final question?

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not think so. I think there is sufficient rigour.

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: Well, I do not think so. The Deputy might think that because-----

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy has a view that with five Secretaries General around the table, nobody can open his or her mouth. However, the Secretaries General bring the input of their departmental work to the table. There are other members of the NESC, independent of these, who are quite capable of putting across their own points of view. Out of that an accurate picture emerges. Without some sort of...

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware from last year's supplementary budget that there has been a fair increase in income tax levels and impositions on income earners as a result of the need to close the gap between expenditure and revenue. At a time of fragile economic recovery, we are doing as much as we can to protect and maintain jobs and increase competitiveness. Over the longer term, that will...

National Economic and Social Development Office. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: These matters are beyond the remit of the questions but I will make the general point that they are being considered and ballots are being organised on the draft agreement drawn up in Croke Park. I believe it provides the best way forward and I would like everybody to share the view that industrial strife and continuing problems in that area will do nothing for job security or income...

Cabinet Committees. (28 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. I sit on the following Cabinet Committees: European affairs; climate change and energy security; science, technology and innovation; social inclusion, children and integration; health; Irish and the Gaeltacht; economic renewal; and transforming public services. The necessity for and the roles and working methods of Cabinet...