Results 17,901-17,920 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: In addition, we have a situation where growth forecasts are down. Therefore, that involves an acceleration of how one brings the public finances into order more quickly. Those are the facts. Specific issues arise from that. It is not the case that the forecasts were wrong. They were justified on the basis of what was set out at the time. There have been changes during the course of this...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: That is a continually evolving situation. In reply to Deputy Gilmore, the growth rates will be decided upon when the Department of Finance has finalised its view on those matters. Data are incoming to the Department as we speak. A technical exercise was provided for spokespersons to enable them to see what the scale of the operation would be.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: I am sorry.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: The spokespersons were also briefed on market sensitivities in terms of finalising the figures so that we can make sure that we get the very best possible outcome from the Irish economy's point of view.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: No.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: Those questions will be answered with full clarity when the four-year plan has been completed.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: We have indicated also.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: It is not a question-----
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: If we are to have a responsible discussion about a serious situation, let us have it.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: First, on the question of growth, growth scenarios were provided to spokespersons. On what the consolidation will be-----
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: -----were the growth over the period to be 1% or 2% per annum. It has been conveyed to the spokespersons what the rate of consolidation would be in those scenarios of 1% or 2% growth. That has been provided. That was the discussion that took place. It is possible for the Opposition to glean from that and to decide on that based on the 1% or 2% scenario.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: If I was let answer the question it would help.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: This is Leaders' Questions and, with respect, Deputy Burton is not the leader of the Labour Party. Her leader has asked a question. He indicated to the House that he has no idea what the growth scenarios will be. Deputy Burton was told, as a finance spokesperson, under a 1% scenario and under a 2% scenario for growth, what the rate of consolidation of the public finances would be to 2014....
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: It is not Deputy Burton's purpose to make a comment at this point in the proceedings.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: In the normal course of events, as we prepare for a budget in December, we provide for the pre-budget outlook, where much of the information is provided officially and that normally comes in November. On the plan we must now bring forward, once the Government has decided on the growth figure it will run with, which will provide for a credible path to a solution to the public finance problem...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: In the coming weeks.
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: This is becoming childish. As the spokespersons are aware, there are certain market sensitivities. I would hope that at the meeting today between leaders, we could have a discussion about some of these scenarios in a way that respects the confidentiality and seriousness of those discussions. If at Leaders' Questions we prejudge the publication of the four year plan by providing it prior to...
- Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: If we want a serious discussion about what the country faces, if everyone is signed up to the 3% deficit target by 2014, the various growth scenarios outlined in the briefing the Opposition party obtained where confidentiality and market sensitivity is being respected, the Deputy will know what the rate of change is and what the rate of consolidation must be. That is available and we can...
- Ministerial Appointments (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The information requested by the Deputy relating to appointments made by me to State boards and agencies since May 2008 is contained in a schedule that I propose to circulate with the Official Report. In respect of the National Economic and Social Development Office, on 1 April 2010 an order was made under section 34 of the National Economic...
- Ministerial Appointments (20 Oct 2010)
Brian Cowen: There are many good people available for public service. I do not accept the quality of people has deteriorated, it has improved and more people are making themselves available for service. If we are appointing people to State boards they must do their job to the best of their ability but I do not accept that it is difficult to find people who will do public service, that is not my impression.