Results 3,901-3,920 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

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

Brian Cowen: Fine Gael's posturing about a motion of no confidence is completely spurious and is merely a diversion.

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

Brian Cowen: That party's intent to seek the resignation of the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, is indicative of a growing tendency within the Opposition that focuses on personality rather than on politics. It is sad that once again their approach amounts to playing the man rather than the ball. Rather than be out-done in the sham indignation stakes by Deputy Gilmore, Deputy Kenny has chosen to join...

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

Brian Cowen: The waste of valuable hours of Dáil debate on an unnecessary and unjustified motion of no confidence, at a time when there are real and pressing issues to be addressed, owes more to Deputy Kenny's need to prove to his Members that he is, in the words of Deputy Coveney, "up to the job" than it does to any real concern or reservation regarding the running and administration of the Department...

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

Brian Cowen: I wish to say unequivocally that I am happy to affirm complete confidence in the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea. I have the utmost confidence in his abilities and in his capacity to do his job. On my election as Taoiseach it was my privilege to reappoint him as Minister for Defence. Deputy O'Dea has served in that role with distinction and his track-record is second to none. While...

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

Brian Cowen: -----and have settled the matter with the aggrieved party, I do not see why I should listen to the usual, predictable calls from the Opposition to remove from office arguably the best, the most efficient and the hardest-working Minister for Defence to serve the country in recent times. Members of the Opposition are more interested in innuendo and stirring up controversy than in people's...

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

Brian Cowen: I would like to spend some time balancing those books and pointing out that I have the utmost confidence in Deputy O'Dea, who has shown real skills in overseeing the continued modernisation of the Defence Forces and bringing about significant progress across a broad range of areas.

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

Brian Cowen: The McCarthy report acknowledged the ongoing modernisation in defence and this is the vein in which I want to see the Minister continue during the period ahead. It is worth pointing out some of the many achievements of Deputy O'Dea as Minister for Defence. He has placed great priority on acquiring equipment and rationalising military barracks. The investment he has overseen has led to an...

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

Brian Cowen: I wish to share time with the Ministers for Finance and Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputies Brian Lenihan and Ryan. I make the point that whether it is in respect of overseas peace support, the development of the medical corps or the involvement of Defence Forces personnel in cash escorts, the Minister has always acted competently. In highlighting the Minister's...

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

Brian Cowen: The first of the three policy differences to which I refer relates to the triple lock. Unlike the other main political parties - Fianna Fáil, Labour, the Green Party - and the key independents, Fine Gael is committed to abandoning the letter and the spirit of the triple lock of Government, Dáil and UN approval before Irish troops serve overseas. The idea most consistently pursued by Fine...

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

Brian Cowen: -----which would require us to more than double the number of people working in defence administration from just over 600 to over 1,400.

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

Brian Cowen: It is clear that Fine Gael has little to contribute to discourse on defence policy.

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

Brian Cowen: Fine Gael's approach is to try to drag down the Minister and inflict whatever damage it can on the Government to disguise from its lack of ideas and policy.

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

Brian Cowen: This Government is not going to bow to those cheap tactics. We have full confidence in the Minister for Defence and we look forward to him continuing to serve the Government and the people.

Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Order of Business is No. 22, Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Bill 2009 - Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; and No. 4, the Road Traffic Bill, Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. Private Members' business is No. 3, Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Powers of Inquiry) Bill 2010 - Second Stage (Resumed) to conclude at 8.30 p.m. tonight...

Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: In view of the point the Deputy has raised, I am quite prepared to give Government time today for the taking of a confidence motion on this issue. I am giving notice that we will do so.

Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: Is this about promised legislation?

Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy's question is not in order.

Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is not in order.

Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: No.

Order of Business (17 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will give the Deputy an answer when his question is in order. He cannot make up the rules as he goes along.