Results 3,721-3,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Yes, Deputy Higgins. The difference between our policy and that of the Labour Party is that it would have nationalised the banks 12 months ago. The cost to the State and to banking at that time was greater than it is now and therefore the exposure to the taxpayer would have been greater.

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: We said we would provide if necessary-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Those are the facts. Interest rates tell me that.

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The cost of funding tells me that.

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Four and a half percent is less than 6% even in the socialist nirvana in which the Deputy lives.

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: We put forward a position - that is, the establishment of NAMA - that was not supported by the other parties. NAMA puts banks in a better position to access funds and provide credit to viable businesses and households because it will increase investor confidence in the banks through the removal of risky assets and improve liquidity through the exchange of illiquid assets - that is, the loans...

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is not yet operational. We received approval from the European Commission last Friday. There is an idea that recapitalisation is somehow unique to this country. However, more than €300 billion-----

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: We will come to that, if that is the point the Deputy wishes to make. More than €300 billion has been offered in recapitalisation schemes of different types by various EU countries. The means by which we obtain liquidity is to take the illiquid assets - that is, the billions of euro worth of property and development loans - off the balance sheets of the banks, put them into NAMA and trade...

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Without NAMA there will not be sufficient credit.

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Having set up NAMA to clean up the banks' balance sheets, the Government is determined to ensure that through the guidelines provided for in the NAMA legislation and the credit review system, the banks will begin to perform their proper role in the economy, which is to support viable and sustainable businesses and households. That is the Government's policy.

Leaders' Questions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not sure the Opposition parties have yet suggested a credible alternative, on any basis, that sufficiently meets these needs.

Death of a Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I was saddened to learn of the death of Mr. Justin Keating on New Year's Eve. I welcome his family to the Dáil and I am pleased to have this opportunity to say a few words about a person who made a strong and meaningful contribution to the development of our country in a variety of roles. Justin Keating passed away just a week short of his 80th birthday. His life was full of activity and...

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 21, Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage (resumed); and No. 22, Road Traffic Bill 2009 - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Private Members' business shall be No. 38, Civil Liability (Good Samaritans and Volunteers) Bill 2009 – Second Stage, and the proceedings thereon shall,...

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Business to be ordered for the future can be arranged by the Whips. Whether this is an issue that comes up for debate is a matter for the Whips to discuss. With regard to the industrial relations issue, I stated to the House last week that there are well-established channels of communication with representatives of the trade unions in the public service that can be used to establish whether...

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Questions were answered here. The report speaks for itself.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not speak for any committee.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have no intention of engaging in the confusion. The matter has been dealt with by the Oireachtas in the Dáil and the Seanad. I do not comment on what committees do. It has been dealt with in both Houses.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: It has been dealt with. As regards this idea-----

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----of not introducing partisanship, that is a good one.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Making it worse, are you joking me?