Results 17,341-17,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I would rather put the facts than get involved in rhetoric with the Deputy. He should just explain his record in this area. With regard to our record, I am making it clear-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I wish to make the point again that no decision has been made.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy made two assertions that decisions have been made to cut services. That is not the case.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Discussions are taking place today and tomorrow-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I want to make it clear to Deputy Kenny that discussions are taking place today and tomorrow with Ministers and the providers of these services to find the efficiencies and savings that can be found without affecting front line services in the way that has been suggested. Officials from the HSE stated on radio this morning it is not the intention to affect front line services.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: What I find appalling is Deputy Kenny's failure to recognise that no such decision has been taken-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----and that discussions are taking place with a view to ensuring that front line services are protected to the greatest extent possible.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: We, as a Government, have provided 400% more for disability services than when Fine Gael was in office. Our record in this area-----

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: When I came into office there had been people from Fine Gael and the Labour Party in Government before me who had not been able to provide €1 million for emergency services. My commitment in this area has been proven and there are discussions taking place to ensure that the most vulnerable are not affected and that they find other savings than what may have been suggested by anybody else....

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of embarrassment for the Government. This Government has committed itself with money and with resources to extending these services, which were in an appalling state before we came into office. The facts speak for themselves and Deputy Gilmore was a member of that Government. He should not suggest to me that I have any cause for embarrassment in that respect.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Howlin was Minister for Health.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Quinn gave me the extra €1 million for emergency services. Then there was the era when Fergus Finlay was the second most powerful man in the Government.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: However, let us leave that aside because we are talking about now.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Exactly. I want to make it clear that this Government has a record of improvement and increase of services for these people, and rightly so, which I will stand over against any predecessor in any office. I am looking at Deputy Quinn in that respect.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: The second point I want to make is that I have indicated both to the Ministers and to those providing the services that there is a need for them to change whatever arrangements they have - and they have allocated a lot of money - to make sure the people who require the services obtain the services. However, there will have to be changes made in non-front-line services.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: What I would expect from responsible Deputies in this House is to indicate that they agree that those non-front-line services should be changed so that those who require them get them.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: Whatever is required within those organisations or between those organisations will happen.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is precisely what is going on at the moment with Ministers meeting those providers of services. Given the moneys that are being provided - of a total of €1.2 billion, €900 million will go to intellectual disability, which is an awful lot more than when Deputy Gilmore was in office, and some €300 million to those with physical and sensory disability - I am confident that those...

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is precisely what the meetings today, tomorrow and during the course of this week are about. That is in stark contrast to the suggestion by a Deputy opposite that decisions have already been taken.

Leaders' Questions (7 Jul 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not interested in the politics of it; that is the point. I am making the situation clear to the House, as I am making it clear to the most vulnerable people in our society. I stand over the record of this Government in regard to that. Whatever is required to make sure the most vulnerable people are not affected, that is my requirement and that is what I am saying.