Results 18,141-18,160 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----because the judgment gives rise to importance constitutional issues regarding the separation of powers and the boundaries of the court's role in the important matter of elections and its power to make declarations that have the effect of requiring Government to exercise its voting power in a particular manner, and the need for certainty on the legal position with respect to future...

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: A Cheann Comhairle-----

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: He was told four times.

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is for Government.

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is the issue.

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The House was not sued.

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy wants me to uphold the right of the Oireachtas in regard to this matter, that is precisely why we need to appeal it to the Supreme Court.

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Can I answer that, although I am trying to find a strain of incoherence in what has been said?

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: First, writs were tabled to hold by-elections. We then had the leader of the Labour Party saying it is very important that the powers of the Oireachtas be confirmed in regard to the holding of by-elections-----

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----which is precisely one of the issues that now has to be dealt with by the Supreme Court to bring certainty to future by-elections.

Order of Business. (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Then we had the leader of the Fine Gael Party who suggested we should bring in a Bill and not hold by-elections until six months after its enactment, which is longer than the undertaking I have given regarding the other two by-elections. If the Deputy can try to figure out what he is doing, he can give us a shout.

Order of Business (Resumed) (4 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Did the Deputy read it?

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: There were two reports from the public service benchmarking body. The increases recommended in the first report of the body in June 2002 were implemented in my Department as follows: 25% of the recommended increase was paid in June 2003, with effect from 1 December 2001, and the total cost to December 2003 was approximately €405,000; 50% of the recommended increase was paid from 1 January...

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: All the payments made were based on various efficiencies and improvements.

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that information before me but I make the general point that industrial peace continued throughout that period. Certain payments were made where the bases for them were adhered to and where they were not adhered to, the payments were not made. The full year cost of benchmarking was in the region of €1.2 billion. Deputy Kenny will be aware that the changes we introduced last...

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that information before me but I can get it for the Deputy.

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: These are issues which I can answer if specific questions are tabled. I was asked to give a specific reply on the cost of the first and second benchmarking awards in my Department. If the Deputy is suggesting that benchmarking was provided on the basis of no change, he is not correct. The Revenue on-line service was a result of the benchmarking process, as was the question of stability and...

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy needs to inform himself of the facts. A great deal of the capital spend in the education sector takes place at the back end of the year, when payments are made. The significant ICT moneys that are now being dispensed also come out of that capital spend. Multi-annual capital budgeting came into vogue under this Administration. When the Deputy was last in office, the problem was...

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----have given small builders huge opportunities that did not exist before.

Benchmarking Pay Awards (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Hundreds of schools have benefited from the schemes, which help small builders to obtain contracts for public works, such as necessary improvements in schools throughout the country.