Results 2,381-2,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the point the Deputy is making. It is within the question of trying to work within budgets. These are realities we must face. We are borrowing €400 million a week more than we are earning as a country. Of course we need to protect our people to the greatest extent we can. We are spending significant money. We are spending €16 billion this year on the health service and...

Programmes for Government (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: We are doing so, whether it is by acting on a new pensions framework to accommodate the new reality, better longer-term planning, consideration of the fiscal policy framework or issues pertaining to banking. These are valid points on their own but we must have an intelligent debate on them. There is too much black and white argument, as if it is all right on one side and all wrong on the...

Freedom of Information (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. Nine requests were received in my Department during May 2010. One was granted, three were partially granted and five are currently being processed. All freedom of information requests received in my Department are processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the Freedom of Information Acts. I have no role in processing...

Freedom of Information (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: For a considered reply it would be best to put down a question to the line Minister in the Department of Finance outlining the considerations that need to come into play. I do not have sufficient knowledge to give a considered reply at this point.

Freedom of Information (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: Sometimes there can be a statement of the obvious. I do not know the answer to the question. When freedom of information requests are received, the purpose is to give objective information. Until a time when they are deemed eligible, there is no need for further information. Perhaps it is just the way the information is given out. I will make inquiries.

Freedom of Information (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am at a slight disadvantage but I understand some aspects of the convention have been ratified. I am not sure but I recall some documentation coming before us. I will check on the matter. With regard to the freedom of information aspect, it is true that on the Attorney General's advice, the Department appealed the commissioner's decision to the High Court and the case was delivered on 4...

Order of Business. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a10, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 10, technical motion re further Revised Estimates [Votes 19, 27 and 38]; No. 11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime and the Protocol thereto to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women...

Order of Business. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am guided by the Chair in respect of these matters. There are various means and procedures which Members can employ in order to raise matters in the House. The ordering of business at any time is a matter for discussion between the whips. I am of the same opinion as the Chair in respect of this issue.

Order of Business. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have already indicated that there are a number of ways in which matters that are of concern to Members can be raised in the House. As the Deputy is aware, there are ongoing discussions between the whips regarding how business should be ordered. He will also be aware that those discussions can provide opportunities for certain matters to be discussed in instances where agreement can be...

Order of Business. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am still on my feet. The Deputy should not interrupt.

Order of Business. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have outlined the position. I am not seeking to divide the House on this matter either. However, it is not possible to raise the issue now and change the Order of Business in order that the House might sit beyond 10.30 p.m. There are other means by which the Deputy can raise this matter, today, tomorrow and in the future.

Order of Business. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am happy to accommodate such a response by the House to the Saville report, which is an important report in terms of the victims having been declared innocent. The purpose of the campaign for the new inquiry was to achieve this and was supported by all sides of the House. The findings of the report, the reaction of the people of Derry and the honest words of the British Prime Minister in...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: The draft terms of reference that have been put forward by the Government are in line with the recommendations as set out in the reports. The Regling and Watson report referred to those issues that can be amenable to fact finding and those issues of a policy and political nature which can be dealt with through the means of the committees that we have in the House. We have indicated our...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: All political heads of Departments take full responsibility for their own decisions. Advice is given by people and we make our own decisions and our own judgments. These are political judgments and decisions that were made. I have sought to explain the rationale for the decisions, as I am entitled to do, given the position in which we found ourselves at the time. I have said that those...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I know the Deputy may be under a bit of pressure at the moment-----

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: At least I am sure we can keep things civil inside the House.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I terminated those property tax reliefs, which was the most radical arrangement by anybody in modern times, as far as I know. There were projects in the pipeline for which transitional arrangements were made and a reduction in eligibility was enforced to make sure that we did not have a surge of activity when we were getting rid of those reliefs, so that we would not be increasing property...

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: If I may, a cost benefit analysis was done on that matter and it has to be renewed or looked at every three years, which is not the case with previous tax reliefs.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am sure Ruairí will be able to explain the cost benefit analysis of the holiday home and other tax reliefs he introduced, particularly for the towns that were not on the seaside.

Leaders' Questions. (16 Jun 2010)

Brian Cowen: If we could revert to the question at hand, I have explained to the Deputy that the draft terms we set out are on the basis of the recommendations in the report itself. Policy decisions have been taken, which we are quite prepared to deal with in committee or in any other way they can be dealt with consistent with making sure we deal with these matters comprehensively and in a proper way.