Results 2,241-2,260 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Service Reform (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The OECD review of the Irish public service published in April 2008 benchmarked the public service in Ireland against other comparable countries and made recommendations as to the further direction of public service reform. It confirmed the many strengths of the system and identified the challenges that needed to be addressed....

Public Service Reform (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The question of the structures we are putting in place for transforming the public service is the subject of a joint memo from my Department and the Department of Finance. I have appointed the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to both Departments to pull this together. I chair the Cabinet sub-committee which oversees this work. I have outlined the composition of the sub-committee. On...

Public Service Reform (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: They are taking place during the course of this year. The implementation body is set up in the context of the agreement that was reached, therefore, it has its role to play in implementing this agreement. It is why it is called the implementing body and it will ensure that the implementation of the agreement is proceeded with. There are arrangements under the agreement as to how the...

Public Service Reform (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am listening.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together. The information requested is set out in the tables. The costs arising to the Department are broken down into three categories - Foreign Travel (including flights, subsistence and accommodation), Domestic Travel (including subsistence and accommodation) and Official Entertainment expenses. 2007 Foreign Travel Domestic Travel Official...

Written Answers — Departmental Property: Departmental Property (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Neither my Department nor its agencies own any property. Consequently the question of maintenance does not arise.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The position is summarised in the table. Recommendation Action Taken NESDO Discontinue NESDO except for the NESC The NESF and the NCPP, constituent bodies of the NESDO, were dissolved on the 31st of March 2010. Some of their staff were absorbed into the NESC. Ireland Newfoundland Partnership Discontinuation of the Ireland Newfound Partnership The work of the Ireland Newfoundland...

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand that matter will be dealt with by the Whips.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Whip has indicated to his colleagues the workload for this and next week. It is unfortunately the case that there are Bills which must be dealt with before the end of term and we want to proceed with them. The House will conclude the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010 today. Second Stage of the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 [Seanad] will be taken later this week. The House will...

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Work on that Bill is proceeding. This issue was raised last week by Deputy Deenihan at which time I brought him up to date on the matter.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: As stated previously in this House and again recently, work on that matter is continuing. The matter is receiving the priority of the of the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with responsibility for children who is liaising with the Attorney General's Office. A Cabinet committee is also working on the matter. As soon as all of the relevant issues have been cleared...

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I reject the Deputy's assertion. Work on this matter is ongoing. The Government is seized of the issue and is proceeding to deal with it. The Deputy will be aware that the bringing forth of a referendum is an important and serious matter which must be given due consideration by any Government, including this one.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Bills are published having been duly decided upon by Government. There is no set trend in this regard on the part of Government. Bills come before Government and are published. It is then a matter for the Whips as to when they will be taken in the House. The Deputy will be aware there has been a great deal of work before the Oireachtas as a result of the economic situation in recent...

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The outcome of the Copenhagen conference in December has meant that preparatory process has taken longer than expected. The Cabinet committee meets when there are decisions to be taken. A great deal of work is being done at a technical level and a policy level in preparation for this sort of legislation. It is important that we get it right. That ongoing work is at an advanced stage. I...

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: There was no conscious effort on my part not to respond to Deputy Gilmore. I apologise if I did not respond to him at the time. He did not try to ascribe bad faith to me. Deputy Gilmore will confirm that I always try to get back to him on the issues he raises with me.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance gave an answer - perhaps last week - when he indicated that secondary legislation, rather than primary legislation, will be involved.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that information to hand. I will try to get it this afternoon.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand we made approximately €1 billion on the last guarantee, so hopefully we will make some money on the next one as well.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy reads them the story, they will never go asleep.

Order of Business. (29 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: We expect the group that is considering the issues of mortgage arrears and personal debt to make interim recommendations soon, with fuller recommendations to be made in the autumn, perhaps. I will not be in a position to say anything further until we get those recommendations.