Results 2,021-2,040 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: National Competitiveness Council (8 May 2019)

Barry Cowen: Some companies, such as those in services or retail, rely exclusively on footfall. That figure should be quantified.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: National Competitiveness Council (8 May 2019)

Barry Cowen: Some companies need public liability insurance more than others.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: National Competitiveness Council (8 May 2019)

Barry Cowen: While it is true that every business needs it, there are different levels of requirement. One can analyse different data, for example price data, which will indicate the level of footfall, which subsequently enlarges the risk associated with public liability. That is the sort of information we would like to see.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: National Competitiveness Council (8 May 2019)

Barry Cowen: It could be compared with the situation internationally. We are hearing anecdotal evidence that one cannot get insurance in this country but that it can be got in the UK. There is also anecdotal evidence to suggest that soft tissue injuries led to compensation awards five times more regularly here than in the UK. However, we need more and more of that in order to put the insurance industry...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: National Children's Hospital (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: And the Minister was not.

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: The Government has been in charge of it for the past nine years.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: We do not force them to overspend.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: 11. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the publication from the Parliamentary Budget Office in regard to departmental expenditure ceilings; his views on whether expenditure ceilings are an effective method of controlling costs; the penalties for Departments that breach these ceilings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17984/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I would like to hear the Minister's comments on the recent publication from the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: It is indeed a helpful contributory to the analysis of these figures and we have to take note of and acknowledge what is contained within it. The Minister said that vote allocations are the responsibility of each Minister, which is the case. Between 2012 and 2017 the overrun fell within the ceiling only once - in 2013, whereas currently the baseline is regularly exceeded by various...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Departmental Budgets (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: It obviously has become the norm rather than the exception. The record speaks for itself in that regard. Save for emergencies in regard to weather, Papal visits and so on I think the roles and responsibilities that have been mentioned by the Minister will have to be taken much more seriously. The Minister will have to take his role in arresting this issue much more seriously. I look...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: 6. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the material changes the Office of Government Procurement has undertaken to better enable indigenous small and medium enterprises, SMEs, to apply for public contracts; the amount spent on public contracts in 2018; the proportion of that spend that was to SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17985/19]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I will allow the Minister time to deliver his reply in the hope that he can enlighten us as to how best to improve the opportunities of SMEs to be awarded public contracts.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I will focus on the points the Minister made about the role of the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donovan, who has responsibility for public procurement and the awarding of such contracts. He stated that there is an SME advisory group, on which the Minister of State sits, and that it meets regularly. What recommendations have emanated from the group in respect of amendments to existing...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Small and Medium Enterprises (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: Will the Minister confirm that no legislation will be required to ensure those recommendations and policy initiatives are not prevented from being successful due to restrictions imposed by existing legislation governing the issue? We produced a Bill in this regard. If necessary, we could work in tandem to ensure the commitments contained within the recommendations, the policy initiatives of...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: I ask for a final clarification on the role of the Department of Finance in the delivery of the broadband plan and contract, ultimately to homes. There was a cost-benefit analysis in the first place, which the Minister acknowledged was in the region of €500 million in respect of the Government's contribution. According to the Taoiseach, it now transpires that the level of expenditure...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: That is where we differ.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: That is a line the Government is throwing out there now.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: 3. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the role his Department is playing in relation to the tendering process for the national broadband plan; if the role of his Department when it comes to the tendering and construction of major capital projects will change in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18079/19]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: National Broadband Plan (18 Apr 2019)

Barry Cowen: There is great disappointment, dismay, frustration and even anger at the Government's and Fine Gael's collective failure to deliver on the commitment made by the then Deputy and former Minister, Mr. Pat Rabbitte, to deliver broadband to every household in the country at a cost of €500 million. The Taoiseach's mutterings in recent days suggest that will not now be the case. What role...