Results 4,161-4,180 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy has just given some good examples of the benefits of a written constitution over an unwritten constitution. I prefaced my reply to Deputy Allen who has a strong interest in this area, by saying that we need a balanced and reflective debate. I am not in any way shy nor am I to be unpersuaded about how we can move from where we are at the moment as a result of the Abbeylara...
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: As I have said the Minister of State is proceeding with that work as quickly as possible. It is a priority.
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy is entitled to criticise if he wishes. I am here to give him the information in Question Time as to what is the position and what is the disposition of the Minister of State.
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: I am aware of that.
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: On the other matter, as I have said the programme for Government made no commitment to introduce a constitutional amendment to overturn, modify or change the Abbeylara decision. In the course of the discussion we have been having on the question, which was a related question that Deputy Allen asked, I gave my personal views on the matter as to what is my disposition. It would require...
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: I would make this point about perhaps not just the Committee of Public Accounts or other committees, but committees of the House. The effectiveness of committees in respect of acting within their remit, whatever it may be now or in the future, is greatly helped by the avoidance of political partisanship on those committees. If there were confidence among everyone in the House that when...
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: A whole range of issues.
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: No, that is not the point I am making.
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: No, I am not making that point. I am talking about people engaging in partisan political behaviour on committees, which greatly militates against their effectiveness.
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: I have been in the House long enough to recall that it was in the absence of partisanship, particularly on those major committees we are talking about, in the past that people worked very well. They did a good public service but were able to do so without the political point scoring that goes on.
- Constitutional Referenda. (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: I already answered that question earlier. It is being prepared and proceeded with. As people are aware, it is a complex area, but regardless of its complexity I accept it is important legislation and it is being pursued as quickly as possible. I refer to the earlier question on the Oireachtas committees. There are things to be done and matters to be investigated by people other than those...
- Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: The Order of Business today shall be No. 4, Finance Bill 2010 - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10 p.m. The resumed Second Stage of No. 4 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 10 p.m. Private Members'...
- Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: I have put the Order of Business to the House to be accepted. The Deputy has indicated he wants to raise issues. During Second Stage of the Finance Bill, he will have plenty of opportunity to raise them or any other matters. The Whips are to meet this evening to order business later this week or the following week. I cannot be any more helpful than that.
- Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy is aware that there are procedures quite apart from the Order of Business to allow for that to happen, including private notice questions. Question, "That the proposal that the House sit later than 8.30 p.m. be agreed to," put and declared carried.
- Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: We were aware of it before that.
- Order of Business (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: I understand the spokespersons have scheduled arrangements for Committee Stage and we are to proceed along those lines. We are proceeding with Second Stage tonight and calling it to a halt. There will be plenty of opportunity for Members to contribute to the various Stages of this Bill during its enactment, as is always the case during the consideration of the Finance Bill. For that...
- Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: Yesterday I recorded our regret at the announcement of the loss of these jobs in Bank of Scotland (Ireland). I made the point that I had been assured that all customers of the bank would be looked after and would not be disadvantaged by the changes. Bank of Scotland (Ireland) will continue to have a presence in Ireland, albeit with the loss of 760 employees now gainfully employed who will...
- Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: -----it always has been my view that if we are to have proper credit access into the economy and a functioning banking system the NAMA operation has to be, and will be, proceeded with.
- Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: These matters have the full attention of Government at all times albeit not always with the support of Members of the House. That is a matter for debate in respect of all the initiatives we have brought forward, all of which have been supported internationally. The next phase of restructuring the banking system relates to the valuation of the distressed assets and their removal to the NAMA...
- Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2010)
Brian Cowen: My understanding is that the Government was notified yesterday under the Redundancy Acts with regard to the proposed job losses of 750 workers from this organisation. With regard to the strategies being devised by Bank of Scotland in terms of its business model for Ireland, these would be a matter under consideration by the bank itself. On the question of what will happen with regard to...