Results 16,681-16,700 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I have said a number of times, the committee issued three reports in this regard. The first of these recommended that the Government establish a statutory scheme for Garda vetting to regulate the collation, exchange and employment of hard and soft information for the purpose of child protection and to require that all persons working with children be subject to vetting. In conjunction...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy that the Government does not place a high importance on these matters. Under a previous Administration we set up the Office of the Minister for Children, which has been a welcome development and has resulted in many improvements in the administration of this area. The Office has brought together disparate activities that traditionally had been associated with...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand there is an agreed wording from the committee. The advice the Government takes on these matters is from the Attorney General, who, as the Deputy knows, must be given an opportunity to provide such advice. The various Departments must also consider the impact of the implementation of the comittee's recommendations. The Government must be allowed that opportunity, because it is...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I assure the Deputy my political skin is well hardened and well worn after 26 years in public life. He need have no worries in that regard. I am talking about the merits of the legislation before us, but I am well aware of the political charges the Deputy and his colleagues would like to continue to dissipate to the public. The churn of statements never ceases to amaze me, despite how...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The position on these matters is as I have outlined it. I cannot make it any plainer than I have. The work is continuing and will be considered in due course, as is normal.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I stated already that it is precisely because of the seriousness and import of the issues involved that the Government is proceeding as it is. I refer the Deputy to the programme for Government in respect of the Government commitment in these matters.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I told the Deputy and previous Deputies precisely what the Government position is on the matter and do not understand why the Deputy should suggest the Government's commitment is not genuine. We are dealing with this issue.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is suggesting it. He has told me the programme for Government-----

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I listened to the Deputy without interruption-----

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I listened to Deputy Ó Caoláin without interruption, but every time I reply to him, he feels he has the right to interrupt me. If the Deputy wants a reply, he must wait for it, but there is nothing I can do about the fact my reply will never be satisfactory for him. The facts of the matter are as I have outlined them to the Deputy. If he wants to relegate the programme for Government in...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I cannot anticipate that.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I could not compete with Deputy Shatter on cheap headlines. He is a past master at it. With regard to the substance of the charges made, I do not accept the Deputy's contention with regard to the personage of the Minister of State with responsibility for children, Deputy Barry Andrews, and the efforts he is making-----

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: If one cannot get to one's second sentence, is there any reason for a Minister to answer? The Deputy knows the answers to all his questions, according to himself anyway. He is such a bright young man.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: He is a bright young man going nowhere. The Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs has overseen the development of revised Children First guidelines. These latest guidelines take account of previous reviews and have been modified to incorporate feedback from the Ombudsman for Children. They are now being printed and will be widely disseminated as part of the...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy will allow me to make my statement, I will be able to refer to all the matters.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry-----

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Government is entitled to put on the record information arising from the questions being asked. The Deputy wishes to make political assertions; that is his business.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of Question Time is to give accurate information.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is at it again.