Results 16,541-16,560 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: We are already involved in setting up the process by which implementation is taking place. Increasing our competitiveness by reducing costs, stabilising the public finances and preparing for global recovery are not enough to ensure we return to economic growth. Increasing productivity and developing new ways to get a higher quality and quantity of output of goods and services from each unit...
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: As I explained previously to the Deputy, the National Treasury Management Agency, NTMA, working with Enterprise Ireland, has been leading a market assessment process involving engagement with leading venture capital companies in the United States, Europe and other stakeholders. It is taking account of the impact of recent developments on the domestic and international financial markets as...
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: Some of that contact and discussion may be commercially sensitive. The Deputy could table a Parliamentary Question on the matter to the Minister for Foreign Affairs whose Department collates information in regard to ministerial visits when Ministers return. It is possible for the Deputy to obtain some of the information he requires in this way.
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: I do not accept that contention. Much work has been done on advancing science and maths and thankfully we are seeing a higher take up this year compared to recent years in terms of leaving certificate participation. Much work is being done on project maths. Much effort has been made by professionals and educationalists to try to ensure the attention of the student population is brought to...
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: We have been encouraging investment in the broadband sector for some time and have put forward direct funding from the taxpayer through the MANS network. There has been significant improvement in that area, although obviously there is some more work to be done, despite the fact that people like to portray that no progress has been made in that area. The Deputy suggested that it is possible...
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: I made the point in previous replies that the National Treasury Management Agency is actively seeking to address this issue with Enterprise Ireland and is making some progress. The innovation fund is not simply a publicly funded research programme. It is using publicly funded research in as coherent and cohesive a manner as possible and leveraging venture capital. It is true that it has...
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: This question relates to the innovation task force itself, which is what the discussion has been about. If there are specific issues about the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, then the questions should be directed at the Minister who can make that information available to the Deputy.
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: If funds are not in place, they obviously cannot obtain them. It is a question of the Minister figuring out if it is possible to allocate funds out of existing budgets, but that is a matter for him to consider. We have a set amount of money to discharge and it is not a question of finding money, given that we are borrowing a considerable amount of money to do so many other things. The...
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: The city and county enterprise boards in Limerick can access extra funds through the globalisation fund that has been made available to Dell workers.
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: I do not know if the legislation has yet been drafted. I am aware that various recommendations have been made by the Law Reform Commission and others on the bankruptcy laws. It is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to proceed with the bankruptcy laws, unless it is dealt with by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I will have to check on that.
- Task Force on Innovation (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: The issue has been raised and I will check up on it before I get back to the Deputy.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. On 23 March 2010 the Government appointed Deputy John Curran as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Defence, and Deputy Dara Calleary as Minister of State at my Department, the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation with special responsibility for public...
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: No. It is an administrative matter that is being attended to, and I do not attach importance to it. The public service board has not been appointed and I was anxious to get through it, given the context of the current discussions with the public service on the draft pay agreement. It will be dealt with in due course.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: No change.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: No change on the change.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: That is the Minister of State's responsibility and he is working on it.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: That is his responsibility, but under a different Department from mine.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: The Minister, Deputy Pat Carey, is now dealing with that issue, as he did in the past.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: Yes, that will continue in existence. It will answer to the Minister, however, rather than to the Minister of State, so it could not be regarded as a downgrading.
- Ministerial Responsibilities (5 May 2010)
Brian Cowen: Not that I am aware of.