Results 4,321-4,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: What is being done with that single initiative far exceeds the stated demand Deputy Gilmore suggests requires attention. The new code of conduct on mortgage arrears applies to all mortgage lenders. They must wait six months before initiating legal action from the time arrears arise and this period was increased to 12 months for Allied Irish Banks and Bank of Ireland under the...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I cannot provide a detailed response to the Deputy in that respect. Presumably these matters are still under consideration but I will have the matter checked out. I cannot give an exact and accurate reply without notice. On the matter raised by Deputy O'Dowd, there has been a significant investment in our road network over the past decade with €15 billion spent on national and secondary...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The UK legislation to which the Deputy referred is running into trouble at the moment with regard to its adequacy and whether it can be implemented properly as envisaged. Thus, I am afraid it is not a question of cut and paste. I acknowledge the work the Deputy has done and ask him to contact the Minister for Health and Children and provide her with any documentation that could be helpful...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I know the Deputy is trying to be helpful.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not think it would require legislation.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I have already indicated the effective interim initiatives that have been taken. Up to 14,000 families, for example, are being assisted under the mortgage interest relief scheme at the moment.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: A number of concerns have been raised by Deputies about this Bill on an ongoing basis. As Members know, it is a complex Bill and is being dealt with at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I will remind the Minister to continue to work as expeditiously as possible on the Bill as I would also like to see it published.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It has just been published and is awaiting Second Stage. It is matter for the Whips, but it may be the week after next.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I apologise to the Deputy. The Tánaiste did arrange for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to communicate with Deputy Higgins in this regard, but unfortunately the Minister has been elsewhere in the past week.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will ask that the communication be forwarded to the Deputy.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is something towards which we should be positively disposed. The accusative case in Latin suggests motion towards without actually getting there.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy obviously wants to maintain that high rate.

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: We must respect the decisions of governments in times of difficulty in public finances, when they must make decisions they would not normally contemplate. Our own Government has had to do likewise and we must recognise that good bilateral relations between Sweden and Ireland will continue. While one regrets that an embassy is closing, it does not take away from the good and friendly...

Order of Business (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: I cannot be that specific. The heads of the Bill are being prepared at the moment.

Written Answers — Social Partnership Agreements: Social Partnership Agreements (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The national wage agreements which have been negotiated centrally between employers and trade unions under the framework of social partnership have been voluntary agreements, in line with Ireland's voluntarist tradition of industrial relations. Accordingly, such agreements do not have a legally binding status – there is no legal obligation on individual employers and trade unions to...

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

Brian Cowen: The information requested by the Deputy for 2009 is contained in the table below: Union Amountâ'¬ Association of Assistant Secretaries and Higher Grades 1,581.92 AHCPS 17,389.29 PSEU 16,721.54 CPSU 16,793.35 IMPACT 5,435.20

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

Brian Cowen: The table below provides details of the number of days taken off for trade union leave by civil servants in my Department in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Year Number of Days 2007 16.5 2008 15.5 2009 21

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (2 Feb 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Department of the Taoiseach has no EU Directives awaiting transposition.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I wish to advise that the data sought has been compiled and was sent to the Deputy on 25 January 2010.

Written Answers — Capital Projects: Capital Projects (26 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department has no capital projects.