Results 3,881-3,900 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Regulatory Reform. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together. The OECD report Regulatory Reform in Ireland contains a wide range of recommendations. Progress on their implementation has been reported many times in the House since the report's publication, including in the context of the follow-up to the Government's White Paper on regulation Regulating Better. Individual Ministers are responsible...

Regulatory Reform. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: There have been a number. As I said in my reply, there are specific questions to be asked about specific Departments. Questions on the effectiveness of certain regulatory arrangements would be best addressed to the Ministers concerned. On the matter raised by Deputy Kenny, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is leading the project and has measured administrative burdens in...

Regulatory Reform. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Again, the specific sectoral issues that arise should be addressed to the Minister concerned. Thankfully, prices came down last year and all the statistical data confirm that. Whether that can be totally accounted for by the abolition of the groceries order is a moot point but it is a fact that food prices have come down. With regard to the issue of "Hello" money, I understand the National...

Regulatory Reform. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that, having acknowledged that €4 billion in savings was required in the last budget, a series of proposals was put forward by a body established by the Minister for Finance, which included that recommendation. It was not taken up on this occasion by the Government. Obviously, there are further adjustments to be made in future budgets and I cannot anticipate the...

Regulatory Reform. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I recently heard an interview with the new IFA president who commended the Tánaiste for the work she was doing in this area and acknowledged this was an issue which had to be continued to be pursued with the multiples. The whole question of a fair price being provided and Irish producers having fair access to the shelves of Irish supermarkets is a very important priority for the Minister...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The evaluation of files for release to the National Archives is carried out by designated officials in my Department. I have no role in that process. As files are processed for release each year, it is normal that some are certified by the appropriate officials for retention on the grounds set forth in the Act. Some 805 files,...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: A Cheann Comhairle, as the questions relate to the National Archives Act, I do not have any supplementary material on issues other than that. That said, the bomb that went off in Newry must be condemned out of hand. The security co-operation between the Garda and the PSNI is at an all-time high. I met with both the PSNI Chief Constable and the Garda Commissioner only yesterday at an aside...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The principal National Archive storage accommodation is located at the headquarters offices at Bishop Street and the Four Courts. It is acknowledged that the National Archives suffer from a long-standing storage challenge on a constrained site. While efforts have been made to accommodate the State records within its Bishop Street premises, the accommodation currently available is...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of the position on the electronic aspect of the Deputy's question but I will check it out for him. I do not have available to me supplementary information in that regard. On the 30 year rule in respect of Cabinet records, it is important to point out that the Constitution provides that the confidentiality of discussions and meetings of Government shall be respected in all...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, the FOI legislation takes into account the constitutional position while at the same time providing for a differentiated approach which remains with the FOI decision-makers who, while independent, seek to comply with the legislation. The legislation envisages a differentiated approach in respect of certain if not all information being provided. It is not a question of all...

Departmental Records. (23 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy said, the functions retained by the Taoiseach relate to those records older than 30 years, which are retained for public interest or other purposes. That is rightly in the domain of the Taoiseach because these are matters of major public interest with serious issues attaching to them. That is a function retained by the Taoiseach. I have never had reason to use it. I do not...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Your standards.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: What about standards?

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Nonsense.

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I move: That Dáil Éireann has complete confidence in the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea. These are challenging times, possibly the most challenging facing any Government for decades, and the progress of many projects and plans will be subject to constraints on resources. Following on from the difficult decisions we took in the budget and the Estimates, and the review of the...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It will be circulated. My understanding is that where there is no intention to mislead and the matter is corrected as soon as possible, there is no question of perjury. The position is that for perjury to occur a person must know the statement to be false or not believe it to be true. Perjury in Ireland is governed by common law as the British Act of 1911 governing it never applied to...

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the issue of timing, Deputy Kenny informed the House yesterday that he found it "truly astonishing that two months after an issue in respect of a Cabinet Minister became public knowledge the Taoiseach did nothing about it. This is a matter of the most serious import." Who is the Deputy trying to fool?

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: If he was of the view that this matter was of the most serious import why did he not raise it with me when the Dáil resumed last month? Why did he not demand a statement from either me or the Minister for Defence before now? Why are we debating the matter this week? Is it as a result of the traumas Deputy Kenny and his party endured last week?

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Is the Leader of Fine Gael trying to divert attention from his crisis by foisting a drama on to somebody else?

Confidence in Minister for Defence: Motion (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Is he tabling motions of no confidence because he is afraid that if he does no another party will and that he will once again be seen as being behind the curve?