Results 17,041-17,060 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I know the Deputy may be under a bit of pressure at the moment-----

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: At least I am sure we can keep things civil inside the House.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I terminated those property tax reliefs, which was the most radical arrangement by anybody in modern times, as far as I know. There were projects in the pipeline for which transitional arrangements were made and a reduction in eligibility was enforced to make sure that we did not have a surge of activity when we were getting rid of those reliefs, so that we would not be increasing property...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: If I may, a cost benefit analysis was done on that matter and it has to be renewed or looked at every three years, which is not the case with previous tax reliefs.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am sure Ruairí will be able to explain the cost benefit analysis of the holiday home and other tax reliefs he introduced, particularly for the towns that were not on the seaside.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: If we could revert to the question at hand, I have explained to the Deputy that the draft terms we set out are on the basis of the recommendations in the report itself. Policy decisions have been taken, which we are quite prepared to deal with in committee or in any other way they can be dealt with consistent with making sure we deal with these matters comprehensively and in a proper way.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Those who are out of work are not a low priority for this or any other Government. With regard to the specific steps taken, compared to some years ago we have considerably increased training and other placements for people who are unemployed. A consistent effort is being made to assist those who are unemployed. With regard to the prospects for renewed employment growth, jobs are not...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the characterisation by the Deputy of what is the Government's strategy or policy. We have many activation programmes in place. In recent weeks, €40 million was announced in respect of the Leader fund which is to be devoted to creating more jobs in rural communities. Last week, a €20 million activation fund was announced, which is about trying to find ways and means in...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. As Deputies are aware, our initial programme for Government made clear that its delivery was based on a growth rate of 4.5% annually. The renewed programme for Government takes account of the very much changed economic circumstances and of progress to date in implementing the programme and sets out the priority issues on which...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The statement by Deputy Hogan last week was unfortunately untrue and incorrect. On the Bills to which the Deputy referred, on all occasion the Chief Whip is constantly providing information for colleagues and other Whips in the House. It is not a question of suggesting that those Bills will not be passed. The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill is scheduled to be debated in the Seanad today.

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Let us hope they listen to their master.

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Work is proceeding on the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill and the Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill will come before the Dáil as soon as Committee Stage is completed. Bills have been referred to committees and we need to start putting some time-frames on the consideration of Bills in committees because some of them are doing work other than legislative work. Leader rightly complain in...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I would like to get some co-operation from Opposition Chairmen or spokespersons and for them to be available on some occasions. Deputies are busy and have other commitments but we need to start putting some time limits in place because once we refer Bills to committees it appears that the committees, without referring back to Government, decide how long it will take them to consider...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Making predictions can be difficult in any situation. The work which has been done by the committee is being considered by the Government and Ministers and will be considered by the Cabinet committee. Reports have been issued in the past few weeks and debates have taken place. We are trying to bring forward legislation before the end of the session. We are working on these issues,...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The best way of getting up-to-date information on individual aspects of the programme for Government is through the line Ministers who have primary responsibility for driving them. I say this as a general remark because there is no point in using Taoiseach's Questions as a means of covering all these areas in a compendium fashion. In regard to the carbon tax, schemes are in place from...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, financial issues arise in regard to some of the health aspects but a question to the relevant Minister will produce detailed information. On the question of public bodies, we are investigating prospective reforms, including for example the TELAC system for public appointments. We are trying to bring more structure to the filling of panels of people who are...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The intention is to enhance the TELAC procedures to deal with public service reform issues and provide greater mobility for senior public servants, as well as to increase choice in respect of these appointments. I also have ideas for board procedures, whereby public service reforms can be progressed on the basis of a management board across the service.

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is a dynamic in health policy to try to move the hospital based system, the traditional way in which we have provided care in the past apart from the general practitioner system, into the community to a much greater extent. That is fundamentally what we are trying to do. One also has a much greater degree of day case surgery than was the case ten, 15 or 20 years ago because current...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Let me make the point about the health issue again. The co-location issue is about re-designating private beds in public hospitals into public beds and in turn providing private beds co-located with the public hospital facility as the best way of working together and keeping consultants all on site. That is about the re-designation of private beds. The issue the Deputy is raising is...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the point the Deputy is making. It is within the question of trying to work within budgets. These are realities we must face. We are borrowing €400 million a week more than we are earning as a country. Of course we need to protect our people to the greatest extent we can. We are spending significant money. We are spending €16 billion this year on the health service and...