Results 3,541-3,560 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Staff. (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: There has been reform in all of those areas.

Legislative Programme. (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 to 11, inclusive, together. The legislative priorities of Government for the current Dáil session are set out in the Legislative Programme published on 19 January 2010. The Government will as usual publish its legislative programme at the beginning of each session throughout the remainder of the 30th Dáil. My Department has no legislation planned for the...

Legislative Programme. (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the second report, no decision has yet been made in regard to when legislation will be introduced. The Government has decided to go the legislative route in respect of the matters raised by the Deputy. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for children and youth affairs obtained Government approval on 8 December last to...

Legislative Programme. (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not believe it is a standard feature of all legislation.

Legislative Programme. (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: However, where it is necessary it can form part of the legislation. The important issue that arises here is that the general principle of governance applies where in the event of people working for Government, the Government sets the policy and people implement and operate the policy. That is a basic principle that is often stated. If there are, for reasons of commercial sensitivity,...

Legislative Programme. (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: To refer to the previous question, the purpose of programme managers is to assist in the monitoring and progressing of the programme for Government. It is not surprising, if the programme is passed in October or November, that the existing legislative programme is in place and therefore work must begin on any fresh commitments made in that programme. There are regular meetings between...

Legislative Programme. (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will know the Bills are graded into three lists, A, B and C. List A is the most relevant for those who want to consider what legislative proposals will be coming forward rather than refer to Bills that obviously are not accorded priority or which are not in prospect of enactment in the near future. The Deputy will know that when promises are made in respect of legislation, the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: According to my information, and subject to correction, the Minister of State indicated there were 23 cases of children who had died in care, had recently reached the age of 18 and were known to the child protection services. The important point is that yesterday he asked the board of the HSE to validate the list of all relevant cases at the earliest opportunity. He has established an...

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I cannot anticipate what information or facts will emerge in respect of the Roscommon inquiry. It will be dealt with. At all times, the intention is, where possible, to provide for publication of reports. This must be done in a way consistent with the rights of affected parties. I cannot anticipate the outcome save to give an assurance that the view of the Minister of State in all these...

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I refer to the questions raised by the Deputy regarding employment in the country. Unemployment in the European economy is running at 10% and, unfortunately, we are at 12.5%. We will do everything we can to protect and create jobs. I assure the Deputy that were we to follow policies put forward by his party in recent years, the numbers unemployed would be far in excess of what they are...

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am on the side of people throughout the country who want to try to create jobs and maintain jobs, but I cannot agree to a proposal where it is clear from a legal and constitutional perspective that wholesale interference with existing lease arrangements,-----

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----which, essentially, are matters of private contract between private parties, is not a feasible option. It is also clear that any move in the direction of imposing a rent freeze across the board would be impossible to implement in a constitutional manner. To put it briefly, the advice received from the Office of the Attorney General is that-----

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----real, legal and constitutional difficulties would arise if property rights were to be affected retrospectively.

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will come to that point. The other point is, obviously, that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, will be in the House tonight to explain in detail the Government's position on this matter, and the situation. Obviously, his argumentation will incorporate the advice available to Government in the matter. Were all of these matters legally possible they...

Leaders' Questions (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The group has also been asked to explore how the arbitration system can be better used in these cases. I make clear to Deputy Gilmore that in every way we can assist, Government will seek to assist. However, it is not true that one can decide, based on the proposal that he put forward, that one can disregard the constitutional guard that exists, and that can be amplified in the House later...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a ghabháil le clann Tomás Mac Giolla, a chailleadh le déanaí. Bhí prionsabail agus fealsúnacht poblachtánach aige. Bhí sé misniúil i ngach rud a dhein sé ina shaol polaitiúil. Ba mhaith liom mo chomhbhrón a chur in iúl dá chlann. Bhí an-aithne agam air nuair a bhí sé mar Bhall den Teach. Chuamar thar lear le chéile. Is maith is eol dom go...

Order of Business (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 6, Finance Bill 2010 - Financial Resolution; No. 7, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2010; No. 18, Finance Bill 2010 - Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 7a, motion re Broadcasting Act 2009, Levy Order 2010, to be taken not later than 7 p.m. tonight and...

Order of Business (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The matter has been noted and discussions are continuing.

Order of Business (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The matter has been noted by the Government.

Order of Business (9 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: That Bill is being worked on. Only ten weeks of the year have elapsed.