Results 16,781-16,800 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is a fair point in terms of our procedures and how we operate them in the House. I do not think it makes sense to have different people asking the same questions about the same legislation every week. The situation has not changed from last week regarding the eligibility for social services Bill.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am just making the point that I do not think it is a good procedure. I will abide by the Standing Orders of the House, but I think my point is reasonable.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is out of order.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: While I do not believe legislation has been promised, I note the Deputy's remarks on these matters and will ascertain what is the position.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the national vetting bureau Bill is due to be published this year. However, no date is available for the first Bill.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: That legislation is due this year and the other Bill is before the Seanad. I would like this Bill to come before this House as quickly as possible.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, that Bill is before the Seanad at present but I would like to have it back as soon as possible.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the problems in aviation as a result of continuing volcanic activity in Iceland, it is up to the Whips to decide how to deal with that. It can be discussed at committee or could be taken here at some stage during Thursday. On the second point, these are people we cannot but sympathise with but a product liability case is ongoing at the commercial court and until the legal liability is...

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will look into that for the Deputy.

Order of Business. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: At the risk of encouraging the Deputy, I will look into the matter.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Report of the Innovation Taskforce was launch on launched on 11 March of this year and offered recommendations to the Government to help fulfil its' goal to develop Ireland as a 'Global Innovation Hub'. The Report estimated that the implementation of its' recommendations, supported by a favourable economic context, has the potential to create 117,000 to 215,000 high-tech jobs between 2010...

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. I attended a meeting of the Heads of State or Government of the euro area in Brussels on 7 May. The meeting was convened by the President of the European Council, Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, following the agreement reached by Ministers for Finance of the eurogroup on 2 of May regarding provision of financial support to Greece. The...

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: These questions deal with what happened at the recent European Council meeting on 10 May and the agenda for the next Council meeting in June. Anglo Irish Bank did not come up at either meeting. I was asked about the European Commission. The Deputy will be aware that the Van Rompuy task force held its first meeting last week. It will furnish a progress report on the basis of the meetings...

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. The primary means to establishing and maintaining growth in the European economy is to show determination in reducing deficits because public debt is far too large. Unless this is done, then the prospect of capital being provided to Europe or it being seen as a good location for investment will be compromised. We have to see a consolidation in the public finances of all member states....

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I refer to the activities that have been going on and when the next reporting mechanism is available. It will arise at the June Council in terms of considering a progress report from the Van Rompuy task force deliberations on economic governance, which will be discussed. There will not be a review of the decisions taken at the European Council or by ECOFIN subsequently in the sense that...

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I cannot comment on unattributed statements by anyone. We need a more stable exchange rate. It helps people to plan better and allows investors to make long term decisions. It is a far better situation than the fluctuations we are seeing at present. That volatility is not helpful. It does not allow for orderly progress in developing trade and increasing prospects for everyone. We want...

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will deal with one of the Deputy's questions, the one relevant to the questions tabled, which concern what was decided upon at the last European Council meeting and the agenda for the next one. I fundamentally disagree with Deputy Ó Caoláin's analysis that the proposals for the better co-ordination of economic policies represent in some way a diminution of our sovereignty. We live in an...

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The issue of Israel and Palestine will not be raised at the next Council meeting. It is not on the agenda and it was not discussed at the last Council meeting. For those reasons, I believe this is irrelevant to the questions before me.

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have just explained that the agenda has been outlined. The Foreign Ministers deal with issues relating to the Middle East on an ongoing basis. It was envisaged when Mr. Van Rompuy took over the job that perhaps, at one of the European Councils during the course of the year, part of the meeting would be devoted to some foreign policy issues. I presume it would arise in that context, as...

European Council Meetings (25 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have just explained to the Deputy-----