Results 2,701-2,720 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the Deputy's suggestion that the balance of evidence was in favour of taking other proposals, the balance of evidence was along the lines I outlined in my speech. We took account of the IMF, OECD, stockbrokers and other forecasting firms internationally and domestically that were setting out their views. The Department of Finance, as former Ministers for Finance will know, will...

Leaders' Questions. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I refer Deputies to my budget speeches, all of which also set out the downsides. What is clear is that the Department of Finance took forecasting on the conservative side of the equation, rather than taking the most optimistic forecasts available. It has taken this approach under various Ministers of all political ilk and persuasions. The record will show that is the case. It is all right...

Leaders' Questions. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----would have meant a substantial reduction-----

Leaders' Questions. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: Shouting me down does not change the position.

Leaders' Questions. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The proposal from the Labour Party was to change the basis on which stamp duty was computed. One would not pay the full rate. Instead, one would only pay the higher rates in respect of those parts of the property that were within the higher bands. The position was that one would pay the full amount on a property costing €400,000. The Labour Party brought forward a proposal which would...

Leaders' Questions. (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: It would also have increased property prices because more disposable income would have been available for the property price and the State would have taken less in the transaction. Those are the facts of the matter. They speak for themselves.

Social Partnership (19 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. On 12 March last, along with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, I met with officers of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. The purpose of this meeting was to explore the potential and appropriate conditions for a renewed...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (18 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: Neither my Department nor any of the Offices under its aegis keep such records as requested by the Deputy unless it is relevant to the current employment of the persons concerned.

Written Answers — Departmental Procurement: Departmental Procurement (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The tables below show amounts paid for each of the past five years for IT Services supplied to my Department - Vendor Name Description Total for Supplier € Tender IT Services 2005 EuroKom Limited IT Network / Security Review 9,281.61 y NCC Escrow agreement for eCabinet 15,001.03 n Fujitsu Services eCabinet security features and review 48,641.94 y In.Vision Research Limited...

Order of Business. (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am already on record as telling the Deputy that the education patronage Bill is expected this session. Amendments are being drafted in respect of the Students Support Bill and I will inquire on the updated position for that. As I understand it, I have already informed the House that the National University of Ireland abolition legislative proposal will probably be ready at the end of the year.

Order of Business. (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I mentioned earlier to the Fine Gael spokesperson, there is no date for the legislation as things stand. I understand the Minister for Health and Children will be taking questions next week and these matters would be best addressed then.

Order of Business. (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy brings these matters to my attention today and I do know the reference. Practical arrangements are being made to ensure these services are being provided and that reorganisation can take place in due course. On advice, the Government made an order on 27 April to transfer all functions in respect of FÁS to the Minister for Education and Skills with effect from 1 May and since 2...

Order of Business. (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will check it out.

Order of Business. (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should try not to kill a good point with an exaggeration regarding the Russian President.

Order of Business. (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: Question Time would be the best way for the Deputy to ask the Minister whether it is intended to change the current position in order to accommodate the issue he raises. Regarding the matter raised by Deputy Tom Hayes, the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill is in the Seanad, as he said. The Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2010 has been published.

Order of Business. (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: No.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I would not know that from the information available to me.

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I have said a number of times, the committee issued three reports in this regard. The first of these recommended that the Government establish a statutory scheme for Garda vetting to regulate the collation, exchange and employment of hard and soft information for the purpose of child protection and to require that all persons working with children be subject to vetting. In conjunction...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy that the Government does not place a high importance on these matters. Under a previous Administration we set up the Office of the Minister for Children, which has been a welcome development and has resulted in many improvements in the administration of this area. The Office has brought together disparate activities that traditionally had been associated with...

Constitutional Reform (12 May 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand there is an agreed wording from the committee. The advice the Government takes on these matters is from the Attorney General, who, as the Deputy knows, must be given an opportunity to provide such advice. The various Departments must also consider the impact of the implementation of the comittee's recommendations. The Government must be allowed that opportunity, because it is...