Results 18,481-18,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

International Financial Services Centre (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The IFSC has proved resilient in the face of the international financial crisis that has enveloped us over the past number of years. It is a matter of regret and disappointment to us all that many governance issues arose in the retail banking sector. A number of parties were sceptical and had reservations about the IFSC at the time of its initiation. They suggested that its regulatory...

International Financial Services Centre (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I outlined in my primary reply the areas referred to by the green enterprise group that examined the matter. That has subsequently been dealt with by taking the idea forward to the prospect of an initiative being undertaken, identifying niche markets and what areas we could identify a competitive or competence advantage in terms of locating some of the financial services areas in the IFSC...

International Financial Services Centre (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: A memorandum for Government is at an advanced stage of preparation. It sets out the background and rationale for this country getting involved in and providing an initiative in this area. Clearly, if there are issues they will be considered presently by the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners in the context of the preparation of a finance Bill. The normal avenues of...

Church-State Dialogue (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together. Since the process was inaugurated in February 2007 by my predecessor, general and bilateral meetings have taken place with most of the participants. I am very pleased with the progress to date and look forward to further meetings with the dialogue partners. I met with the Church of Ireland archbishops in 2009 as part of the...

Church-State Dialogue (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: No, there has not been any specific discussion in respect of that matter. As I said regarding broader policy issues, normal sectoral exchanges go on between individual Departments and churches on various issues, but that is not an issue with which I have dealt. Regarding the broader issue, the Department of Education and Skills is the lead Department handling these matters. It has been...

Church-State Dialogue (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I was saying in respect of the matter regarding the religious congregations, the Department of Education and Skills is the lead Department. I understand it will report to Government on this matter shortly, so we will have to wait to see what proposals come from it as a result of the discussions. As the Deputy knows, 139 institutions were approved for the redress scheme, which was...

Church-State Dialogue (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Government made a decision on this matter back in April. We considered all of these issues and requests, but we were not in a position to extend the scheme. That is the position the Government has had to take on those matters.

Church-State Dialogue (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I know what the Deputies had to say about that matter. The Department of Education and Skills will shortly bring a memorandum to Government as a result of it listening to all the issues. I recall that particular order made this offer. The question of establishing a fund on a statutory basis will probably be incorporated into the memorandum for the Government's consideration. We await the...

Church-State Dialogue (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of the specific issues raised by the Deputy. However, I believe this would be part of the normal structured dialogue that takes place in the bilateral exchanges with the churches on specific policy areas by individual Departments. I expect the Department of Education and Skills would have to look into the legal implications of that to see what precedent was being set and the...

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 5a, motion re the proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the draft scheme entitled Credit Institutions (Eligible Liabilities Guarantee) (Amendment) (No. 2) Scheme 2010; and No. 15, Local Government (Mayor and Regional Authority of Dublin) Bill 2010 - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the...

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the debate due to take place today, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan, as everyone knows, is attending an ECOFIN meeting today. The proposal involves the extension of an existing guarantee in relation to these matters. Members will be aware that the Minister is by way of his responsibilities involved in the four year plan and budget preparations. We need to proceed with this matter.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have already indicated on the record that the Minister did not say anything that was not in line with what the situation was at the time and I do not see any purpose in continuing with that line of approach. It was an issue to be addressed and if the Deputy wants to have it dealt with seriously, we should take it seriously. The meetings will begin tomorrow and we should allow those...

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: This is not on the Order of Business but it is important to repeat to the Deputy what the Minister for Finance said this morning. These are treaty matters which have been dealt with and negotiated. The competence issues are very clear with regard to taxation policy.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: This is not Question Time but I will make the point again to the Deputy. There are technical discussions taking place-----

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I just made the point-----

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I made the point-----

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: This is the Order of Business. I made the point clearly that there are technical discussions continuing that will take days-----

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am entitled to speak without interruption. That is the position.

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: If and when negotiations take place-----

Order of Business (17 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----this Government will decide on those issues. The Deputy can be assured of that.