Results 4,441-4,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: As the Stewards House, Farmleigh was not available to the Taoiseach on the dates in question, the costs incurred relate to the Taoiseach being unable to return home due to Dáil and other official commitments.

Written Answers — Ethics in Public Office: Ethics in Public Office (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The receipt by office holders of gifts of goods or services is regulated by the Ethics in Public Office Acts. Issues of compliance with the Acts are matters for the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPOC). The particular arrangements to be observed by office holders in respect of gifts of goods or services are set out in the Code of Conduct for Office Holders issued by the SIPOC....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: In accordance with the business needs of my Department, divisions and sections change from time to time. The tables give a breakdown of the staff working in the various divisions in my Department since 2007 to date in 2010. As statistics in relation to whole time equivalent staff numbers in my Department are compiled at the end of each calendar month, the current position is as at 31st...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I reject Deputy's Kenny's political assertions on a whole range of fronts in respect of these matters. First, the Government has always said it will give careful consideration to this issue and that it requires such careful consideration. That is why we have come forward with our proposal. Second, we do not wish to cut across existing investigations, whether of a criminal or regulatory...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Political jibes and attacks are no substitute for substance.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny has just displayed his incapacity to look objectively at any aspect of this issue. We need people with expertise who will objectively assemble the facts and on the basis of those facts enable the Oireachtas to deal with them and to come forward with whatever recommendations they wish based on whatever proceedings are proposed in the appropriate Oireachtas committee. That is...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Again, I reject the contentions made by Deputy Gilmore. First, on the question of the holding of an inquiry, I said it did require careful consideration. Absolutely. Issues require to be urgently dealt with by Government in the coming weeks and months on the restructuring of the banking system, the transfer of assets to NAMA, and the need to ensure that the recovery and stabilisation we...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: If Deputy Gilmore on the one hand wants an inquiry to be prolonged and open-ended; we know how one goes about doing that.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The benefit of the commission of investigation approach is that it provides tribunal-like powers without tribunal-like costs and tribunal-like timespans, which is what the public and everyone in this House is interested in. Deputy Gilmore quoted the Governor of the Central Bank. He indicated at the time that what we want to do is put the finger on any processes and structures in our entire...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Those decisions that have been taken by Government have been democratically debated in this House, have been legislated upon and are part of the recovery we are seeking to achieve not only in the financial area but for the economy as a whole. More urgent work needs to be done on that issue in the future weeks and months, which the Government is committed to doing, as the Minister for Finance...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: However, it is clear also, if I may say so, in regard to what Deputy Gilmore has had to say publicly on these matters, even as late as last Sunday, that he has predetermined his decision as to what the situation was regarding this matter, so his objectivity is not really available to us either. Let it be dealt with by people with expertise, let the Oireachtas deal with it on the basis of the...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: I did not say that either.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of the inquiry is to look into the background and causes of the financial problems that arose. That is what we are doing. Since they arose, we had to take decisions, including emergency decisions. They have been debated in this House and their merits or demerits, according to how people have felt democratically, have been discussed and debated. Thankfully, the decisions have...

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: Sorry, Deputy. If I may explain to the Deputy, no one is excluded. I said I am available at any time in respect of any decisions I have ever taken in public office at any time.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the idea that anyone is excluded, nobody is excluded. The terms of reference of the commission of investigation will be drawn up based on the reports which will be provided by Professor Honohan and the international experts.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: In the meantime, in respect of any reports they bring forward, if they wish to speak to any personages in this House or elsewhere, we will all be available to talk to them as well. There is no problem in regard to any of that.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: The point I want to make is that Professor Honohan said at the time that he did not think a witch hunt was the answer.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: He said we should get to the facts. This is a way of getting to the facts.

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is clear that the leaders and others in this House are not interested in getting to the facts. They wish to make a political point. I am confident that when the facts are established regarding any duties I had in regard to this matter-----

Leaders' Questions (19 Jan 2010)

Brian Cowen: It will not be in 2015. It will be reported on 31 May in the first report and thereafter we will seek to have it-----