Results 3,681-3,700 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not have to correct anything.

Order of Business (3 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Tá an cheist á plé ag an Aire Oideachais agus Eolaíochta agus beidh cinneadh déanta aige in am tráth.

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The information requested by the Deputies relating to appointments made by me to State boards and agencies since I became Taoiseach on 7 May 2008 is contained in a schedule that I propose to circulate with the Official Report. Schedule for Inclusion in the Official Report in reply to Parliamentary Question Numbers 48401/09,...

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is right.

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not contacted concerning every appointment to every board. As regards appointments to the Seanad, I am obviously satisfied about Senator Ó Brolcháin's suitability for the post. The fact that someone is a current or former public representative does not disqualify them from service.

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am sure there are many other occupations, including accountants, solicitors, farmers and doctors, which may be suitable depending on the tasks undertaken by a given board. That should determine the suitability of any person to be a member of the board. I have no reason to believe that, in respect of any of the organisations the Deputy mentioned, those people would not be qualified to do...

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The point I was making was that membership of the boards is not limited to specific personnel or people of a specific background, nor does it exclude people with a political background. The majority of the people appointed to the boards are not known to me personally, but if they are vouched for by the relevant line Minister as people he believes suitable for appointment, I accept that the...

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I thought I made it clear that appointments to some boards do not require my consent. I do not micro-manage board appointments by Ministers. Certain appointments to statutory bodies must come before Government, other appointments are dealt with by Ministers. There may be some occasions when a board is being constituted where discussion takes place with me, but in the main I leave the...

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I commend the Deputy on his dexterous attempt to introduce a supplementary question that has nothing whatever to do with the question. I cannot answer any speculation about that matter and I have no comment to make on it. With regard to the question that was relevant, I stated previously in the House that the detail and scope of the legislation envisaged in the programme for Government has...

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: That relates to the two leaders of the Government and the Tánaiste where appropriate. Programme managers are put in place to deal with some of the mechanics of these issues. To return to the Deputy's points on the legislative basis for systems of appointments to public bodies, that will have to be pursued and the scope will have to be worked out in the first instance. It will then be...

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: A commitment has been made to put it in legislation.

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. There is already a Broadcasting Act provision that relates to a reference to Oireachtas committees in respect of appointments to boards. Some issues arose even when the committee dealt with that issue so there is a need to ensure the matter is handled properly and appropriately.

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have stated in previous replies that the scope and detail of this legislation have yet to be worked out. To give any commitment before that is done would be rather speculative, so I will not do that. I have already outlined the approach for the bodies provided under the Broadcasting Act 2009. Different boards require different approaches, and each needs to be treated on an individual...

Appointments to State Boards. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I indicated that there are many statutory duties which Ministers must fulfil. One of these duties, which must be discharged, is to make appointments to State boards. If there are those inside or outside the House who know people who might possess the relevant experience and who would be suitable for appointment to State boards, they should bring the matter to the attention of the relevant...

Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together. Procedurally, requests for use of this service are made by Ministers' private secretaries to my office and are dealt with, in the first instance, by the staff of my office. Requests are examined by my staff with regard to the need for and purpose of travel, the destination and other logistical details. Any necessary clarification...

Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: My function is simply to approve the use of the service. If Deputy Kenny wishes to have detailed records of any flights undertaken I understand they are maintained by the Department of Defence and that question should be tabled specifically to that Department.

Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I authorise the provision of the aircraft for the purpose of ministerial visits to a country. I do not deal with operational matters that occur when people get there. If the Deputy has any questions on operational matters a phone call to the Department of Defence will get him the answer rather than looking up the Internet.

Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am trying to figure out where Deputy Kenny is coming from in all of this.

Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I was appointed Taoiseach on 7 May 2008. Deputy Kenny referred to a flight that took place on 3 February 2008. I had no involvement in the matter. That is the first point. The second point is that in my reply to Deputy Kenny I said that any Taoiseach of the day provides the authorisation to use the Government jet for ministerial visits abroad. As Deputy Kenny knows ministerial air...

Ministerial Travel. (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I explained, nor would the Taoiseach of the day have been involved in that issue.