Results 3,281-3,300 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand there to be some legislation on the first issue raised by Deputy Lynch. For the purpose of accuracy, work is beginning on it.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I apologise to Deputy Lynch on that issue. Second, on the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill, I have a great personal interest in the greyhound industry, which is going back to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I have a stake in some greyhounds, which might be helpful in the future.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not believe the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill will be moving with the industry. It will remain where it is.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister of State, Deputy Curran, is settling into his brief. I am sure he will be able to discuss this matter further with his constituency colleague, Deputy Tuffy, in the coming weeks.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Justice and Law Reform has recently made public his intention to propose to the Government an amendment to the Constitution to delete the provision concerning blasphemous libel. The proposal would avail of the opportunity afforded by other planned referendums. He indicated this approach during the consideration by the Oireachtas of the Defamation Bill. It will be...

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: That report is a matter to be considered by the Government, having been recently published.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no promised business in this regard. The Deputy is aware that a ten-year derogation was attained in respect of the traditional rights of turf cutters on protected bogs. The then Minister, Síle de Valera, obtained that derogation, the length of which was unique in the context of the aforementioned directive. This is how matters stand.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is not entitled to do so on the Order of Business.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have to hand that information.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not in order.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I would like to address that matter.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the question of the misuse of drugs, etc., work is ongoing. A cross-departmental group is working on the legislation and we hope to have it some time in June.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is out of order.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should sit down in his chair.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand that it will be dealt with later this year.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: As things stand, it will remain with the existing Department until, as I have said, a transfer of functions order is signed and dealt with. In the first instance and as of today, we need to sit down with the FÁS operation. Two thirds of its operations deal with placements and all of that area will be dealt with in the Department of Social Protection to get people working together to...

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy asked about the final situation, that is, what the setup of FÁS will be. Our first job is to align and co-ordinate the work being done and deal with issues of how to proceed. In due course, whatever legislation is needed to effect a Government decision will be effected. In the meantime, corporate accountability for the organisation will remain with the current Department until...

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: We will-----

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Can I explain to the Deputy? In due course and over a period of time, there may well be an integration of that part of the FÁS operation into the Departmental of Social Protection.

Order of Business (24 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Excuse me, but the first thing I am doing is providing a better service for the people who need it and are unemployed. That is what we are doing. I do not know what Deputy Gilmore is shaking his head about.