Results 2,441-2,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (9 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: The contract for the Director of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) is approved by the Department of Finance and all remuneration to the Director of the NESC is in accordance with the salary scales and guidelines issued by that Department. The salary for the Director of the NESC is the same as that applicable to the Civil Service grade of Assistant Secretary, and is currently...
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: The question of the work undertaken by the Minister regarding social contributions and how to look at the number of levies in place in order to pull together a more coherent system will be considered in the budgetary context. The Deputy would perhaps be best advised to address a parliamentary question directly to the Minister for Finance on the mechanics of the preparation and what way he...
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: The health information Bill, I understand, should be published later this year. The Central Bank (No. 2) Bill, as I was saying earlier to Deputy Kenny, will more likely be later in the year as well. In fact, it will be later in the year.
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: I know the Deputy is interested in these matters. I understand that the earliest would be next year.
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: Order.
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: Deputy Durkan should look after his own.
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: No, it will not be passed before the end of this session. I believe it will be coming later this year.
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: No legislation is promised.
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. I attended the sixth European Union and Latin American Caribbean Summit in Madrid on 18 May. This summit takes place every two years so that the two regions can discuss important and pressing global issues and strengthen their strategic relationship. It brings together Heads of State and Government from 60 countries, representing...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: We have serious reservations regarding the decision to re-engage in negotiations with the Mercosur countries - Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. While it is the European Commission's decision to relaunch the negotiations, we note that there are major differences between the expectations of both sides. We are, therefore, doubtful that there is a sound basis for a positive engagement...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Smith, has been very prominent in setting out Ireland's position in respect of the relaunching of the Mercosur talks. The Minister obtained a commitment from the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Dacian Ciolos, to the effect that he will be vigilant in the context of carefully monitoring the situation. In...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: The EU-Latin American and Caribbean Summit had its own agenda and the issue specifically of competitiveness of the European economy comes up in the context of Question No. 2 where the Deputy asked whether the agenda for the European Council meeting has yet been finalised. As I said, the EU 2020 strategy is being brought forward for further discussion at the Council meeting. The question of...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: In many cases the fiscal stimuli that are being provided were in the productive sector, in the capital area. The average capital investment in EU countries is some 2% to 2.5% of GNP, but in Ireland it is twice that. Different countries are at different stages of development in terms of how their infrastructure matches their requirements. We still have some way to go but have made a huge...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: In regard to the Mercosur talks, Ireland led the food safety agenda on the last occasion when these discussions were taking place and we have continued to make the point that for European farmers to compete we must obtain a level playing field. Ireland has been to the fore in these matters. It is not just about putting forward, as has been suggested, some type of protectionist measure; it...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: I outlined the agenda for the European Council meeting in my primary reply. There have been occasions when issues that have arisen between the setting of the agenda and holding of the meeting have been discussed. It is a matter for the President of the Council, Mr. Von Rompuy, to assess the position. Also, the General Affairs Council of Foreign Ministers will be meeting on these matters on...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: On the question of what poverty or reduction targets will be involved in the strategy, we welcome the promotion of greater social inclusion, including a target to measure progress in reducing poverty in Ireland and in a number of other member states. I voiced certain concerns about the indicator proposed by the European Commission. We have all agreed that further work needs to be done and...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: On the matter of the common foreign and security policy position on the Middle East, the Deputy, as a close observer of these matters, will be aware that regarding the position of the European Union, any movement in position towards what we would regard as our national position has been slow in the extreme. This incident, if not properly responded to, very much weakens the view of those who...
- Official Engagements (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: -----does not exactly increase influence. There is a need for people to look rigorously at what is happening here and as a chain of events, as the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said, to indicate that a position has been taken here which seems to suggest that people can act with impunity or that one nation's or one government's particular definition of events is the one that should dictate...
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 20, Merchant Shipping Bill 2009 - Report Stage (resumed) and No. 21, Adoption Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage. Private Members' Business shall be No. 35, Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2010 - Second Stage (resumed), the proceedings of which, if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at 8.30...
- Order of Business. (2 Jun 2010)
Brian Cowen: I am not aware that any work has been done in respect of the Committee of Public Accounts issue. The question there is of enabling the Comptroller and Auditor General to conduct a report which report is then considered by the committee in the normal way. It is an important committee and conducts its-----