Results 18,681-18,700 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

National Reform Programme (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The issue is what is sustainable for this country in the present circumstances and how do we ensure that we are in a position to promote policies of social inclusion. That last can only be done on the basis of sustainable finances. If one does not have sustainable finances, what one is really saying to people is that we will maintain the present level of provision for as long as we can but,...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Where is the question?

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am waiting for a question.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is a joke.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: We have funding for this State's requirements up to July of next year. There are choices available to this country. If Deputy Kenny's view is that this deal should not be taken up, I ask him where he expects this State to get funding. It is clear that the secondary markets are charging over 9% for money at the moment-----

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----whereas this deal offers money for 5.8%. The second point I would make to Deputy Kenny is that this country now has the ability to draw down funds. We can now find the room and space in which to pursue a policy pathway that will enable us not only to stabilise the economy, but also to look for growth in the economy in the years ahead. It is a question of trying to find a means of...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: On every occasion when a serious matter is discussed the Deputy seems to retreat into flights of rhetoric that fail to confront any sort of reality. That is his choice and his political style, as he seeks to grab a headline rather than to deal with the substance of the issue before us.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The substance of the issue before us is-----

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----that this country requires funding for its own requirements and to ensure we have a banking system in the future. This is what the Government is doing. This requirement will be a priority for the country in coming months and years. The Government stands by its own growth forecasts in our plans because it is clear the difference-----

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----in private consumption suggested by the Commission is a feature of forecasts from every international and domestic forecaster and such forecasts from the IMF, the OECD and the European Commission are not all exactly the same. However, the Department of Finance stands over its own forecast for next year at 1.75% growth. We need to rise above partisan politics now and again in this...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----people are going to work, people are in business and we have entrepreneurs in both the public and private sector who are trying to provide a good wage and standard of living for the workers in those sectors. We need to offer support rather than this constant negative rhetoric that emanates from the Opposition benches - particularly from the Leader of the Opposition - on every occasion....

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----are now on a far firmer footing as a result of making this agreement than would have been the case without making an agreement and that by setting out-----

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----that medium-term strategy for the country, we have a prospect not only of recovery but also of future prosperity.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: First I must deal with the many assertions made by the Deputy before asking his question.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore suggested that this is a worse rate of interest than the deal with Greece and that is not correct. He probably knows this is not correct but it does not stop him trying to say it to the public now that there is an opportunity on national television. The rate of 5.8% over seven and a half years compares very favourably with the 5.2% over three years obtained by Greece. If it...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: We must obtain €19 billion this year and a smaller amount next year. We are funded up to next June. If the Opposition does not have an alternative source of funding, it is saying that cuts of 38% or 40% will be required in pensions or something else, because we do not have the money required beyond next July.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is not a policy that is either credible or sensible. Let us get beyond the rhetoric and deal with the reality. This country ran surpluses for many years. It has been hit with a financial and economic crisis and lost a third of its tax revenues in one financial year.

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: We have been making corrections, but every measure we have introduced has been opposed by the Opposition. With regard to the banking policy initiatives, regardless of Deputies' assertions to the contrary, what we are being told is that we must continue and accelerate them in order to increase the banks' capitalisation. It is on that basis that we must seek funding elsewhere in addition to...

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----but he also has a savings account, can he expect to have his problems sorted out without looking to his own deposits?

Leaders' Questions (30 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the National Pensions Reserve Fund, I can quote many instances of criticism by Opposition Members as far back as the establishment of the fund.