Results 3,741-3,760 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand mediation efforts are being made and I hope they can bring a successful conclusion to it. As I stated earlier when the Deputy asked me to comment on the position of the Minister for Defence, I cannot join in speculation. I continue to hold that position and when there is a change I will bring forward a motion to the House.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I understand the prescription charges Bill will be dealt with this session and the other Bill will probably be dealt with later in the year.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: As Deputy Rabbitte indicated, this is a complex area. A significant number of amendments are envisaged on Report Stage. I presume they arise from the debate on Second Stage and Committee Stage in terms of ensuring the legislation is robust enough to achieve its objectives. I understand the preparation of those amendments is close to finality. I acknowledge there may well be a significant...

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of the amendments is to improve the Bill. I cannot give any more detail to the Deputy than that. The Bill needs to be enacted. Points were raised during the debate and it is right that they have to be responded to by ensuring that the legislative framework reflects the validity of the arguments raised by both sides.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept that the Minister is incapable of dealing with the matter. I will take up the matter again. I am aware of the general issue and I will find out what is the current position.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: No, they have not been agreed by Government.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I could not anticipate that until the Bill has been considered by Government.

Order of Business (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: The question of rents and arbitration is being examined. The Government takes its advice on all matters from the Attorney General but I will consider the correspondence.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: When the moratorium on recruitment is lifted the question as to whether any further staff are required by my Department will be considered further. Until then, my Department will continue to manage its staffing resources within the budget allocation in a manner which will ensure that priority is given to achieving the key activities and objectives of the Department.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department did not incur any expenditure on the lease, rental or purchase of car parking spaces for use by civil and public servants in 2009. The rental cost to the National Economic and Social Development Office of car parking spaces for use by its staff in 2009 was €38,100. The Central Statistics Office spent €12,417 for this purpose in the same period.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: Five Assistant Secretaries in my Department qualified for performance related pay prior to that payment being abolished. The current pay scales for the Assistant Secretary grade are set out in the most recent Department of Finance pay circular, Circular 28/2009, which is available on the Department of Finance's website, www.finance.gov.ie.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 386 and 389 together. On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Ireland has participated in the NATO–led UN mandated mission since 5 July 2002, following the Government Decision of 2...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action, it is not possible to provide a response to his question at this time.

Written Answers — Overseas Missions: Overseas Missions (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: In July 2009, the Government approved Ireland's participation in the Swedish-led Nordic Battlegroup 2011. The Nordic Battlegroup 2011 will be on standby for 6 months commencing on the 1st January 2011. To date Ireland has deployed four Officers to serve in staff posts at the Force Headquarters in Enkoping, Sweden and these officers took up their duties on the 28th August 2009. The Nordic...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action, it is not possible to provide a response to his question at this time.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (2 Mar 2010)

Brian Cowen: I regret to advise the Deputy that due to industrial action, it is not possible to provide a response to his question at this time.

State Visits. (24 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have spoken recently to the Irish Ambassador to the United States about these matters. He mentioned them to me and what is the congressional view on them. Unfortunately, it is not an issue at the top of the domestic agenda in the United States, for obvious reasons. However, it is one in which I know the President has a personal interest. We will seek to obtain from him what the present...

State Visits. (24 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Minister has noted what the Israeli Foreign Minister has had to say regarding the absence of knowledge by the authorities about this matter. He has also taken up the matter with his EU colleagues and it will be pursued. As has been said, we have no wish to see the integrity of our passports being compromised in any way. We recognise the impact this could have for the security of our...

State Visits. (24 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: No. No one has been more vigorous than the Minister, Deputy Martin, in respect of pursuing the matters that have affected the countries in the passport issue and I do not accept that there has been any absence of vigour on his part. I refer to the appointment of the Commissioner. The nomination for Commissioner, Máire Geoghegan Quinn, was decided by Government. It was intimated to me by...

State Visits. (24 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I made the point that Máire Geoghegan-Quinn had to go before a parliament and be accepted. She was simply our nominee. I refer to the issue of the possibility of the former Senator de Búrca pursuing a career or seeking to establish if there were prospects in that area. I sought to assist in whatever way I could after it became clear that it would not be possible for her to become a...