Results 2,541-2,560 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: He brings some sort of order to the House.

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is Deputy Gilmore's assertion, but it is not the situation.

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am responding to the situation-----

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance has brought in a good deal of important legislation in the House over the past 12 to 18 months. It is not a question of the Minister twiddling his thumbs while there is legislation to be passed. He has done a considerable amount of very important work in that area for the country, the Parliament and the Government. This is another Bill that is required to be...

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: Again, that will be a matter for the line Minister to bring forward in due course. I believe it would be helpful to bring forward such legislation. In previous referendums we saw substantial funds being applied which were not accounted for in the way that political parties have to be accountable for funds. That was the thinking behind that.

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: Yes.

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy raised this two weeks ago and the fact that the Minister is proceeding with it now is something the Deputy does not support either. The issue of the independent electoral commission and the preparation of Green and White Papers on local government reform are all matters the Minister is proceeding with. He indicated to the House yesterday that he is proceeding with that particular...

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: These are obligations on individual Members of the House. It is up to those who are officeholders to discharge whatever requirements exist. They are submitted, as the Deputy knows, to the Clerk of the Dáil. They are also submitted, as appropriate, to the Standards in Public Office Commission. That is where they reside and that is where the records appear. These are matters all Deputies...

Ethics in Public Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The code of conduct does not stand in isolation but is part of the wider ethics framework established by the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001. Section 10(7) of the latter requires office holders to have regard to and be guided by the code. The code cannot impose any new requirements that are not already set out in legislation; it mainly attempts...

Consultancy Contracts (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. The Quigley report, which was published in 2005, highlighted the need for special care in cases in which a proposed consultancy comprises an element of direct service to a Minister or Minister of State, particularly in area of public relations or communications, or where a Minister or Minister of State suggests the name of a person...

Consultancy Contracts (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no committee in place. Guidelines were established which set out a procedure that must be followed when a particular set of circumstances arise, that is, a proposed consultancy or any proposed contract for services comprising a significant element of direct service to a Minister, particularly in the PR or communications area, or a suggestion by a Minister of the name of a person or...

Consultancy Contracts (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. The question is about the procedures that are in place with regard to public relations contracts as they pertain to me, arising from the Quigley report, which was drawn up at a time when an issue arose in a particular Department. It sets out general guidelines, and that is the basis on which I am replying today. I do not have any of that information.

Consultancy Contracts (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: Eight cases that came within the terms of the guidelines have been processed so far. In September 2008 I agreed to the appointment by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources of a consultant to conduct a facilitation exercise with regard to a consultation paper on next-generation broadband. In 2007 one case was noted by my predecessor following consideration by the...

Consultancy Contracts (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in my primary reply, there is no special committee or group in my Department to oversee the awarding of public relations contracts by Ministers. Any workload arising from the application of the additional guidelines as outlined in the Quigley report is handled within existing resources within the Government's secretariat. Neither do I have involvement in respect of semi-State or...

Consultancy Contracts (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I made the point that as the Deputy is aware, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has appointed a chairperson who has a particular expertise in corporate governance to that authority. Reports have been considered by the Minister and will be published in due course. I have every confidence that the new chairperson and board in the Dublin Docklands Development...

Chief State Solicitor's Office (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: As previously indicated in reply to similar questions on this matter, the implementation of the recommendations of the Nally report was completed in 2007.

Northern Ireland Issues (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 14, inclusive, together. I spoke to Prime Minister Cameron by telephone on Wednesday, 11 May and offered him my congratulations. We discussed the importance of maintaining the close relationship between both Governments, in respect of Northern Ireland and other matters of mutual interest, including economic ties and European Union matters. I will meet...

Northern Ireland Issues (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the matter raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin, from 2003 to 2008 the Remembrance Commission operated the scheme of acknowledgement, remembrance and assistance for victims in this jurisdiction of the conflict in Northern Ireland. Under the scheme, payments were made to groups offering support services to victims of the conflict and under this element of the scheme, payments were made to Justice...

Northern Ireland Issues (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: First, no date has been fixed for that meeting. Obviously, we intend to try to fix that meeting in the coming weeks. Second, the assurances were given that in his capacity as British Prime Minister, David Cameron will seek to utilise his role as co-guarantor of these agreements to ensure they are fully implemented, both in the spirit and in the letter of the law. On the matter raised by...

Northern Ireland Issues (26 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I join the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and others in the House in thanking the security services for the find they unveiled in County Louth in the past few days. It is an indication of their determination to thwart in every way possible those who would seek to undermine the express will of the Irish people, North and South, who wish to pursue political progress in this...