Results 19,221-19,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: As for the first matter, I indicated late last year that much advanced, detailed and good work has been done regarding a proposed wording for the children's referendum. As the Deputy noted, this was brought to the attention of the Cabinet and approval was given for the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, to speak to spokespersons from other parties in the House and then to proceed to...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: On when the referendum will be held, I have to await the advice of the Minister of State concerned based on the discussions he has had in the past number of weeks with his colleagues in the House. When he reports back to Government very soon it will enable us to make a judgment as to the best way forward. On the second matter, in Ireland, compared on a pro rata basis to other countries,...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: The relevant Minister will have to take up some of the representations received in respect of individual cases. I hope ways and means will be found for those in need to be accommodated. Pursuing public service reform is about making sure that we release moneys, to the greatest extent possible, to the areas of the public service which require resourcing in addition to what is already being...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: Prior to Christmas it was decided that having completed the budgetary process and introduced and enacted the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, a parliamentary schedule for this term, setting out the legislative priorities, would be issued. The Deputy will have a copy of that to hand. Those are the issues we want resolved and dealt with in this term. Other parts of the programme...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: It is unlikely, because of the term the Government has lasted, that it will be possible to complete that aspect of the programme. I do not accept for one moment the pejorative term used by Deputy Gilmore with regard to the filling of State boards. He is a person who often comes into the House and speaks about the need for proper corporate governance and the need for boards to act...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: I was convinced that such a precedent could never be repeated by a Fianna Fáil-led Administration given the predilection of predecessors to do what they did. I am sure it was an oversight on their part. It may be as simple as their not having looked at the dates. I am sure it would not have attracted the criticism I received were it an oversight. It was certainly seen as a major-----

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: It is a great one to throw back at Deputy Gilmore, given his indignation on this. Sontes in glass houses come to mind when the Deputy raises questions like this. However, it is important for the Deputy to make his point. It is a fair point. I am of the view that in appointments to State boards one must appoint people with the required skill sets and who are capable of making a good...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: An assessment has to be made by Government on that matter. Good work was done by the all-party committee and a great deal of time was spent on it. The question of children's rights is a complex area and how that plays into the Constitutional rights framework is an important factor, which we need to address in an appropriate way. The Cabinet has not yet made a decision on when and how to...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: Basically it is question of ensuring that there are not unintended effects and that one brings forward a proposal that is appropriate and meets the requirements of the situation. The merits of the proposal cannot be discussed in the House until we have a structured debate on it and party spokespersons who have studied the matter in great detail can discuss it some time. Whether it is...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: A lot of progress is being made based on the action plans that have been drafted. The Croke Park agreement is about delivering change at ground level in ways which will vary from place to place depending on the skill sets, mix of skills and numbers and all the rest of it that goes with the activity in which they are engaged. It is not a uniform, top-down approach. It is about working at...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: What agreement?

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: Our position on the Croke Park agreement has not changed and we are keen to see its accelerated implementation. It is on the basis of getting the changes envisaged by the full implementation of the agreement that we have been able to give our commitments. Our commitments are given in the context of full implementation. In the absence of full implementation, the ability of the Government to...

Programmes for Government (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of the specifics in particular issues. Action plans are in place in the Department of Justice and Law Reform and the Garda Síochána to deal with the issue raised by Deputy Kenny. I will bring it to the attention of the various authorities, which must be aware of it, to see what plans are in place in the event of reduced recruitment in the future and how the personnel...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: It is important to recognise the developments that are taking place at a European level in this matter regarding a discussion on the context and content of the current policy. The Minister for Finance met his eurozone counterparts yesterday to discuss the size and scope of the European assistance mechanisms. This matter still is being considered by the euro group, which is at an early stage...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: First, the reason we are obliged to raise taxes or levies-----

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: Sorry, may I be allowed to answer the question without interruption? I listened to the Deputy without interruption. It may be-----

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: Whenever Deputy McCormack is ready.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: The reason that taxes are being raised is because there is a gap between what the Government spends and what the Exchequer receives. Quite separate from there ever having been a banking crisis, Ireland has a serious public finance position it must address.

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: The continuing attempt to suggest that revenue raising is about paying for the banks or the IMF is a separate question altogether. The reason the Government is raising taxes is because Ireland's taxes were at 2002 levels before the last budget, while expenditure was at 2010 levels. This gap must be closed by reducing expenditure and increasing taxes and this is the reason for the increase...

Leaders' Questions (18 Jan 2011)

Brian Cowen: I have no interest in playing politics as usual with Deputy Gilmore in regard to taking his confidence motion. He can take it in his own time. Everybody knows it will be defeated. We have work to do and are going to get on with it. On the corporation tax rate, President Sarkozy's statement was responded to last Friday by the Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs,...