Results 2,981-3,000 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Programmes. (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the Minister for Health and Children answered a Dáil question on this matter on 3 March last. As I stated in reply to Deputy Gilmore earlier, we should see the full report and response from the Department before coming to an informed view. It is important that these rigorous and robust exercises point up issues that must be addressed. I would expect the action plans to...

Leaders' Questions (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: As Deputy Kenny said, we legislated on this matter when it arose last year. The issues that arose on that occasion related to an entitlement under existing law, regarding a pension being seen a property right. We are advised that as property rights are protected under the Constitution, any reduction or removal of pensions by legislation has to be proportionate. The reductions which have...

Leaders' Questions (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have made it clear to the Deputy that it is not a question of reluctance on the part of the Government, rather it is a question of the Government having to propose legislation that is lawful.

Leaders' Questions (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of challenging it, but a question of having lawful legislation. I am not saying the situation is the same as pertained in 1992 or any other time. The same legal principles apply because a similar approach was taken then on the question of the abolition of pensions in respect of the legislation passed last year. The Minister for Finance outlined that position in detail....

Leaders' Questions (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The current allowance for free fuel and the various supplementary social welfare schemes in place to assist low income families will be available and cover the period from autumn to March, which is the period when people are most in need of heating requirements. Therefore, the question of the provision of that scheme will be provided for in the normal way from then on. In the meantime, if...

Leaders' Questions (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The situation, as I have outlined it to the Deputy, is that in regard to the time from when the scheme operates allowance will be made for low income families. In the meantime the exceptional needs payment will be provided for anyone experiencing hardship through the supplementary welfare scheme.

Leaders' Questions (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There will not be a question of anyone being snowed under. It is a question of making sure that the exceptional needs payment system will meet any hardship in that regard.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 20, Central Bank Reform Bill 2010 - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 21, Energy (Biofuel Obligation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2010 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 8 shall be decided without debate. Private Members'...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible to anticipate that at this stage. The Minister of State with responsibility for children is working with various Departments arising out of the report, the proposed wording that emanated from it and the good work done by all concerned. Considerable work and consideration must be given to that now to make sure issues are covered and handled properly and also dealt with by...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister of State with responsibility for children has to do considerable work on this with other Departments in the first instance before the Government can consider it and he can come forward then.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance has outlined on a number of occasions that a few Central Bank Bills will be brought forward this year. We are currently dealing with the first of them. The next Bill, the No. 2 Bill, relates to many of the matters being raised by the Deputy. The consultation paper drawn up by the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator will be an excellent input into that and...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be in the autumn.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. There is a national monuments Bill, the heads of which were approved recently, but it requires a lot of work. It is a huge Bill and it will probably be next year before it is brought forward for enactment. I am aware of the issue that has been raised by Deputy Ó Caoláin and I will take it up with the Minister. I was not aware of the import of the other matter raised by the Deputy but...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is not as yet a date for the Bill but work on it is ongoing. The Cabinet committee will deal with it in due course.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: No legislation is promised on this matter but the Government has sought to be fair and compassionate to thalidomide survivors, to assist with their current and future medical and social needs and with reference to provisions made in other countries for survivors of thalidomide. The State Claims Agency has brought forward a report on the matter at the request of the Minister. I understand...

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the health information Bill will be available later this year but there is no date for the eligibility Bill.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no date.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have noted what the Deputy had to say.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not believe I misled the public in any way. The intention was not to mislead but to provide as much supplementary information as I possibly could. I do not accept the Deputy's contention that there was intent to mislead on my part.

Order of Business (27 Apr 2010)

Brian Cowen: The point I was making was that there is a scheme in place on which all pensioners depend.