Results 4,561-4,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 10, inclusive, together. I attended the 13th Summit of the British Irish Council, BIC, in Jersey on Friday 13 November last. The meeting was hosted by the Chief Minister of Jersey, Mr. Terry la Seuer, and was attended by BIC Heads of Administration, including Mr. Peter Hain, Secretary of State for Wales; Mr.Alex Salmond, Scottish First Minister; Mr....

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I remain hopeful that it will be possible to see the implementation of the remaining aspects of the St. Andrew's Agreement, including the question of devolution of policing and justice. It is in that context that these outstanding matters need to be addressed. I agree there is great urgency to be attached to it. The stability and focusing of the institutions require that all aspects of...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: That remains to be considered by the Government in respect of the composition of the board for the organisation. This issue was raised at Farmleigh and three weeks ago at the NMSC. There have been meetings at a bilateral level between the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and Mr. Sammy Wilson, MP, MLA, his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive, who have had good amiable...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is strong co-operation between the PSNI and the Garda Síochána on all of these matters in regard to individual incidents and any trends that may be emerging. I understand there have been some developments on that front in recent days. This is a security matter where criminal activity is taking place. There is a high degree of cross-Border co-operation at all levels. The Deputy can...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the forum, we believe it should be set up by now. Some months ago, we held a consultative meeting in Farmleigh with people from all parts of the island which went very well. It is expected there will be a follow up there in March. Mr. Trevor Ringland and Ms Mary Davis co-chaired it and it went very well. I attended the meeting and I thought the interaction was very good. There...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree the question of devolution of policing and justice to Northern Ireland is a very pressing matter. I agree it must be addressed as a matter of urgency. I agree a good deal of work has been done already which has engendered much public confidence in the process and the support of all sections of the community for devolved policing. It is far preferable to have local public...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Unpaused is a new word in the lexicon. As to the middletown project, work can begin this year. There was a review of what was being looked at and everybody involved in the project is happy that progress will be made in the coming year. In spite of the difficult financial situation, as a Government we were anxious to assist in the progression of that project in 2010, given the all-Ireland...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is of paramount importance and consistent with all the international safety standards we already have in this country that the need for the common good should dominate in this matter. I discussed this with Deputy Enda Kenny during Question Time yesterday. It is time everybody recognised that when we had very little going for us in this country we had rural electrification. People...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: This always arises and then another situation is proposed that we know will cost far more than the way it has been done up to now. The suggestion is that everybody's health will be put at risk. There is no intention on the part of any responsible state body, or otherwise, to be involved in anything like that. Promoting that idea and creating agitation to negate progress is not helpful. We...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have informed myself.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The problem is the Deputy puts forward a point of view and when somebody disagrees with him he wants to shout it down.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are all concerned.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are all aware of the human and real concerns. Nobody has a monopoly on human or real concerns. The Deputy certainly does not have one over me. I am simply making the point, which must be made in this House and elsewhere, that the common good has to take over here. We deal with issues according to proper safety standards and so on, but the idea that everyone is being put at risk by...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I never even suggested that. I am sick listening to you talk about it.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: He is in order.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I said earlier that a constructive relationship has developed between our Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, and his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Administration, Mr. Sammy Wilson, on these NAMA issues which have been discussed at plenary sessions of the North-South Ministerial Council in terms of updating people on the position and the fact that we have now enacted the...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should ask the Minister.

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree with all of what the Deputy said. The important point is to try to ensure that it happens in a timely fashion and in a way which is satisfactory to everyone and on the basis that the process, as envisaged, has been dealt with and completed. I agree with the Deputy. Sometimes one tries to resolve problems on the basis of disagreements between people. It is a question of timing in...

Official Engagements. (16 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Stagg for his constructive comments and welcome, for the first time, his contribution. I encourage Deputy Stagg to continue in that constructive vein for the rest of his political career.