Results 17,261-17,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Perhaps if it was promised legislation, I would do that. Perhaps the Deputy should contact the office.

Order of Business (30 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand all the Bills to which the Deputy refers are in preparation. We had a discussion about the position of the referendum during parliamentary questions. That work is ongoing at Government level.

Saville Inquiry Report: Motion (30 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I move: That Dáil Éireann: — remembering all of those who were killed and injured on Bloody Sunday in Derry on 30 January 1972, and all of those who have suffered over many years as a result of that day; — noting the further injustice perpetrated by the flawed and discredited report of the Widgery inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday; — commending the families' long and...

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. Total expenditure by my Department from the establishment of the Moriarty tribunal to the end of May 2010 was €39.57 million. Expenditure in May 2010 was €215,319. The sole member of the tribunal, Mr. Justice Moriarty, has not yet addressed third party costs. Until this is done, we cannot estimate the overall cost of the...

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Yes, it was sent, but I have not received a formal reply.

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: On previous occasions I have given a response on the rationale for the fees, which are based on the requests the chairman of the tribunal made. At the time, sanction was given for an agreed fee of €1,000 per day, the same rate paid to solicitors at the Mahon tribunal. The rate was reduced both last year and this year and now stands at €782 per day.

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: No, I do not. As the Deputy knows, a particular work method has been adopted by the chairman of the tribunal in an attempt to keep down costs in terms of how they would play out if the hearings were held in public. It was on that basis that he devised this particular work method, which has been effective despite the very serious imposition involved in the process going on longer than was...

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: To clarify, the party leaders agreed on the desirability of the tribunal completing its work as soon as possible consistent with its mandate. They also agreed to write to the judge to this effect in response to his letter to the Clerk of the Dáil. The party leaders' letter has issued to the judge and he has written back acknowledging it.

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will appreciate that it is not proper for me to comment on the proceedings or ongoing work of the tribunal. It is a matter between the tribunal and the witness to whom the Deputy referred as to when that witness will appear. I understand from when I last spoke to the sole member about this matter that there is ongoing correspondence, but I do not have any more information than I...

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: That was on the basis of having completed all the witnesses for the tribunal. As Deputy Gilmore indicated, there is at least one outstanding witness that the chairman of the tribunal believes it would be of benefit to hear from. Therefore, that arrangement would come in place at that point.

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I corrected that. There was a reply. He sent back an acknowledgement.

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I have stated, the independence of the tribunal is an important aspect of this issue. Therefore, it was important that the ongoing work ongoing was not compromised or put at risk. The risk of it being interrupted determined the Government's view on these matters regarding the need to keep continuity and the necessity of not being accused of interfering in any way with the tribunal. Were...

Tribunals of Inquiry (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am simply outlining the situation to the Deputy and the review of fees which took place. Taking account of further communication from the tribunal and its legal team and advice from the Attorney General, it was considered that, in the particular circumstances of the Moriarty tribunal, the fees should remain at what they were at that point. Since there have been reductions of 21.8% in...

Regulatory Reform (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. Progress on implementation of the OECD's Report on Regulatory Reform in Ireland, published in 2001, has been reported on many times in this House, particularly in the context of the follow-up to the Government's 2004 White Paper on regulation, Regulating Better. The regulatory reform or better regulation agenda covers a wide range...

Regulatory Reform (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I answered that question in previous Question Times, when I gave the detail in respect of that question when it was put down for reply. The brief I have with me today deals more with the regulatory arrangements.

Regulatory Reform (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I said in my reply, detailed questions in respect of specific departmental work need to be put to the Department concerned. Total savings of €20 million have been identified in a number of individual administrative burdens which were measured. The high level group is chaired by the Secretary General of the Department and business and trade union representatives are members of the...

Regulatory Reform (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: As a result of a meeting with the regulators and the Competition Authority, a liaison group is in place to examine all these aspects. Arrangements exist under the regulations to review individual regulatory procedures in the various sectors once every five years. In the meantime, the liaison group is looking at that issue as well. The better regulation unit in the Department of the...

Regulatory Reform (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I contend that is being done. Some €20 million worth of measures have been identified and are in place. This initiative began as a result of the Spring Council meeting at EU level a few years ago. The EU 15 are being monitored in that respect and have those arrangements in place. We are proceeding along the lines and doing the work as envisaged. Individual issues will be raised and...

Regulatory Reform (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that information but I will check the points raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin regarding the extent of improvement made in this area and to what the recommendations refer. I revert to the Deputy.

Regulatory Reform (6 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, I will revert to the Deputy as to what is the position in respect of the recommendations to which he refers. I do not have the information to hand. The purpose of Question Time is to give the Deputy such information and I undertake to get it to ascertain where we stand on it. As the Deputy is aware, there are occasions on which legislation is brought forward quickly. Some of...