Results 18,521-18,540 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. I am satisfied that there are satisfactory procedures and facilities in place in my Department for the preservation and archiving of all records, whether in electronic or paper form or otherwise. My Department complies with the requirements of the National Archives Act 1986 which stipulates that all official records, regardless of their...

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Until the National Archives takes custody of my Department's records or alternative measures to ensure the preservation and accessibility of the records prior to eventual transfer to the National Archives, my Department will continue to retain electronic documents and records indefinitely. The electronic records are held in my Department and there is sufficient storage to hold those records;...

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not suggesting the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh is incorrect. No data has been archived to date as there is sufficient capacity on the storage area network to accommodate all electronic records in my Department. Under the National Archives Act 1986, there is an obligation on Departments to preserve records created and received in the course of performing official functions, to...

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not yet 30 years old.

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the Deputy's second point, the National Archives Advisory Council was established to advise the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport on matters of archives under the 1986 Act. My information is that it is the Minister's intention to reappoint the council shortly to advise on draft legislation. On the Deputy's first question, as I indicated in reply to an earlier question, whenever a...

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have before me information in respect of the questions asked, which relate to the archiving of documents in my office.

Public Service Reform (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together. The organisational review programme, ORP, was established to review the capacities of Government organisations in three key areas, namely, strategy, managing delivery and evaluation. The aim is to ensure Government Departments and major offices are fit for purpose in terms of the challenges they face. The first report of the...

Public Service Reform (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I always will be as helpful as I possibly can, however detailed the requirements.

Public Service Reform (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Thank you, Deputy. Arising out of the specific issue raised by the Deputy, the action plan contains an action that is to take place by the end of the year to deliver a more effective allocation of work assignments, which will in turn lead to an improved use of available staff resources. The target is to have the work of the project team completed by the end of this year. On the wider point,...

Public Service Reform (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the Deputy's first matter, a project team is in place which will report by the end of the year on that specific point. I believe it is No. 8 in the overall action plan. That has been taken up as a matter of priority and urgency. With regard to the third phase of the review, four Departments are being examined in that respect. They are the Departments of the Environment,...

Public Service Reform (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: In fairness, I do not think that was the intent. Customer service and customer delivery are part of the management of delivery. There are three aspects to these operational review programmes. These include the level of strategy in these Departments, how they are delivering and the situation for customers and people who use the service. Of course citizens use the service. No one is trying...

Public Service Reform (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: A number of the recommendations in the report relate to the Department of Health and Children. The action plans are set out and are part of the process. The specific issue regarding a better allocation of work and assignments within the Department of Health and Children is a matter of priority and the recommendation in this regard has been taken very seriously. I expect that the project...

Public Service Reform (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy is aware, an independent panel has been established to carry out a review. It is usually the case that reviews ongoing in Departments involve existing personnel from other Departments coming in. There is quite a fair level of engagement with the staff in respect of how organisational programmes are worked through. The Minister for Finance established an independent panel to...

Northern Ireland Issues (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together. The Hillsborough Agreement provided the basis for a significant step in the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement by allowing the completion of the devolution of policing and justice powers. The appointment of Mr. David Ford, MLA, a locally accountable justice Minister, was a further important landmark in consolidating the...

Northern Ireland Issues (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, we are very anxious to move forward on all of these issues and the Government stands ready to do so. The Executive in Northern Ireland is under the second and third requirements in the St. Andrews review. It has to come forward with the internal outcome of that review process. The prospect of getting some decisions at the North-South review is dependent on getting some...

Northern Ireland Issues (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: A direct request to the Minister for Health would provide the exact circumstances of the current status of the report. That said, the publication of the report requires the agreement of both sides. We would like to see any assessments that are being made about how we can co-operate further, and pending any decisions that will be made to co-operate, we would like to see all of these avenues...

Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I made clear yesterday, there is no question that the characterisation of clinging to office is my motivation. That is not the case. My sole motivation is to ensure that a four year plan is published, as agreed with the people with whom we are dealing, and that a budget is put to the House and passed. The Minister for Finance has agreed a timeline for doing so with the Commissioner, Mr....

Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I wish to make clear that I do not anticipate in any way the timeline Deputy Kenny suggests would be involved in completing the necessary legislative enactments to put into law the budgetary and other matters that must be complied with when the budget is announced. Second, as the Deputy is aware, November is an important month for tax revenues and it is of critical importance to get right...

Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy has stated, I have given the reason to Deputy Kenny, which I reiterate to the Deputy, about the question of the end of November tax returns being an important part of the construction of any budget. In particular, for a budget that is being devised in these circumstances, it certainly is important that this is the case. This timeline is known to the Commission and the people...

Leaders' Questions (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: First, the budget is being introduced on 7 December for the valid reasons I have given. It is not because I am trying to be difficult. There are valid reasons for that date. It is also the earliest time a budget can be brought to the House, given all the circumstances we face. Deputy Gilmore's second point related to the timescale for the completed enactment of all the legislation needed...