Results 18,581-18,600 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: None of us in the House is in a position to say that, while those decisions were necessary, they have not proved sufficient. There are abnormal market conditions and we are out of the markets. We must establish a means by which we can return to the markets at some stage. As Members are aware, in the context of the ongoing discussions on Basel lll, the question of the further capitalisation...
- Constitutional Issues (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: The supplementary information in my possession relates to the Sullivan report, which arose as a result of a review chaired by Mr. Eddie Sullivan, the then Secretary General of the Department of Finance, the purpose of which was to identify any aspects of the organisational structure, systems, procedures or staffing arrangements within the Office of the Attorney General that may require to be...
- Constitutional Issues (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: That is a separate issue. However, as stated on previous occasions, the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs, Deputy Barry Andrews, is working on the matter in question and will revert to the Cabinet in respect of it in due course. The Cabinet will be then in a position to consider the options and perhaps return to the Members who have shown an interest in...
- Constitutional Issues (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: I could not give that commitment until such time as the important work which is being undertaken at present is completed and considered by the Government and probably the House. I could not, therefore, indicate whether that would be the case at this point. The Sullivan report related to the CC case which, in turn, related to statutory rape. The report noted that all the relevant parties...
- Constitutional Issues (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: As already stated, I do not have in my possession any papers relating to that specific matter, which does not come within the purview of the original question. It was not anticipated that supplementary questions of this nature would arise. However, there are some issues which I brought to the attention of the House in reply to supplementary questions posed on a previous occasion. This...
- Constitutional Issues (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: I understand the imperative here for the independence of the Attorney General as legal adviser to the Government to be unimpaired and unconstrained. At the end of the day, it is a matter for Government to decide on what is the best outcome and then to come to the House armed with whatever arguments it requires to put its proposal and to explain its position. It is important that the Attorney...
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: The planning meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security did not take place on 6 October to allow work to continue at official level on a number of issues, which were subsequently brought before a full meeting of the Government. The next meeting of the Cabinet committee has not yet been scheduled. It would be incorrect to correlate the number of meetings of the...
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: No, like yourself.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: Absolutely, I would likely to be as helpful as possible at all times.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: Sorry?
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: I looked over at Deputy Jim O'Keeffe and I said, "What a wonderful day."
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: Much progress has been made on the climate change Bill. I am not a person who is holding up the Bill. I hope I have been helpful in ensuring that we have been able to come forward with a good Bill. This type of legislation will be unprecedented in an Irish context and it is therefore essential to ensure that the drafting process is comprehensive. I am satisfied that significant progress...
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: By Cabinet.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: Where there is an impact on climate change in respect of an issue, it can be considered by Cabinet. Line Departments, as Deputy McManus will be aware, make their observations on every proposal that comes to Government. The important point, from our point of view, is that in respect of the Bill itself much progress has been made and I would be hopeful that the Bill would be published shortly.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: Neither is anyone else.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: There is no-one responsible for holding it up.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: I have given some information for which the Deputy is welcome. There is merely a bit of political point scoring going on now. The relevant point is that at the end of the day all Ministers are proceeding as quickly as they can with the legislation. The Minister is committed to this legislation and the Government is anxious to ensure that we proceed correctly and get this legislation done....
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: Deputy McManus is just doing a bit of point scoring now. I have given the information, which is what Question Time is about. If she wants to ask a question of Deputy Gormley and try to score a point on some date perhaps she should put it directly.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: The issue is as I have given it. I am sure Deputy McManus is aware of Cabinet procedures and the circulation of memoranda to Departments for observations. These issues are mentioned in the line Department's observations where they are relevant and they are taken into account in the decision-making process.
- Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)
Brian Cowen: Membership of the Cabinet sub-committee comprises of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister for Finance and myself.