Results 17,721-17,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will have to revert to the Deputy on that matter. I am not aware of the up-to-date position. A top expert in this area, Dr. Hardiman, was on the radio recently talking about the need for an open debate on very complex and difficult issues which arise in regard to this area. On that basis, there is a great deal of complexity and many issues have to be looked at before a commitment can be...

Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of that but the fact that a report has been published does not mean we have come to a resolution or crystallised a position in society as to how we go forward.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will have to revert the Deputy on that issue as I do not have any information on it.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have every confidence that the Minister of State is fulfilling his functions.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of what has been stated in a recent report, namely, that 5,000 or 6,000 people in the hospitality and other sectors have been issued with visas. As the Deputy knows, there was some indication from a person who commented on the issue on the public airwaves about the fact that unfortunately there are areas of activity in which people are not taking up job opportunities at the moment.

Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no point in the Deputy taking what I say out of context. I said I heard a person on the radio making that point. These issues are being examined constantly. We have good labour market policies. Up to 60,000 people are obtaining employment through local employment services for the sort of areas to which I referred. There may be some issue there. I will ask the Minister of State...

Order of Business (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not sure that would be possible considering the workload which has been set out for the current session. I will ask the relevant Minister to bring that matter to the attention of the relevant Minister and ask him or her to correspond with the Deputy directly.

Written Answers — Cabinet Sub-committees: Cabinet Sub-committees (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet Committee on Irish and the Gaeltacht, which I chair, has met four times since May 2008. The membership of the Committee has been set out in the reply to Parliamentary Question Number 32334/10 on 29 September, 2010. It is not the practice to give details about the attendance of Ministers at meetings of the Cabinet or of Cabinet Committees.

Written Answers — Job Creation: Job Creation (12 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Implementing the Government's strategy to sustain and create jobs is the central focus of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal and Jobs which I chair. The Heads of a number of the Agencies with key responsibility for implementing the Jobs Strategy were invited to meet with members of the Cabinet Committee on 22 September to review their plans to support job creation and help the...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: With regard to supports for small business and the work of Enterprise Ireland, the schemes which have been introduced are successful and have been very helpful to more than 1,800 firms in the country. The question of loan guarantee must be considered very carefully. We have already been given credit plans from the banks to ensure that on the basis of their successful recapitalisation they...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Any debate taking place in the House will afford everyone the opportunity to explain their precise position on these issues and the necessary policies to support small businesses. There are many supports in place from Enterprise Ireland which are assisting small businesses but the working capital needs of small businesses will be best protected and provided for once the full recapitalisation...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The vouched fuel allowance scheme related to the carbon levy on solid fuels. This is subject to a commandment order. Subsequently, when we came to make the decision, taking into account that aspect of the situation, it was to be made subject to a commencement order. That did not happen, however. The vouched scheme will only come into place in the solid fuels area once the commencement...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Home heating oil prices are still lower than they were during mid-2008 which was the last time there was an increase in the fuel allowance rate. Home heating oil significantly reduced in price after that last increase in fuel allowance. The fuel allowance rate was not reduced at that time. The fuel allowance rate remained static when home heating products reduced in price. That granted an...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: Whatever arrangements have been made by the ESB and Bord Gáis by the Commission for Energy Regulation can be taken up with them.

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter-----

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not. If I may make the point-----

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: A decision by the Commission for Energy Regulation on the liberalisation of the energy market-----

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: If I may continue without interruption.

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: The House established the Commission for Energy Regulation to regulate the market.

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2010)

Brian Cowen: It was voted for by every Member in the House as the best means of providing for competition in the market.