Results 4,721-4,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Given that good substantive questions have been asked I would like the opportunity to reply. I listened attentively in silence to what the Deputy had to say and I would like to respond. After my first sentence, perhaps people will allow me to expand and give my side of the equation. I do not expect the Deputy to agree with everything I have to say but, perhaps, that courtesy could be...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Towards 2016 document which was devised some years ago was a ten-year framework which set out very challenging objectives for everyone in social partnership. The economic crisis that has enveloped every country around us clearly means that many of those objectives have to be modified or prioritised because they were based on a time when the foreseeable future was far less uncertain than...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: If the outcome of the discussions does not result in the certainty and permanency which are needed, one has to consider alternative ways of going about it. I do not take away-----

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree, but some negotiations succeed and others do not.

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: One proposal was referred back to the trade unions and then further discussions took place on the sectoral side. A further proposal was starting to emerge but it did not meet those tests, which is to be regretted, in my view, and people on the other side also regret it. There is the idea that, once negotiations are commenced, they have to end up successfully - that is what one always hopes...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: With respect, a full divulging of the composition of the pay bill and all the necessary data was being exchanged for weeks in advance. It is all very well giving advice as to what to do a week or a month before but we had come to the substance of the issue and it was not possible to find an agreement. This is unfortunate and I regret it as much as anyone else because I had been working for...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I reiterate that the Government met as a Government on Tuesday and I communicated thereafter to the trade unions the Government position. The first basic requirement was the quantum, the amount of money that would have been generated by this proposal in the first instance, was insufficient and, therefore, the Government would reserve its position in respect of all other aspects of it because...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: If I may reply to Deputy Kenny, the intrinsic merit, worth and value of that remains because it is against the background of much tightened financial constraints on Government - on any Government. The issue of having to provide new ways forward that will not only maintain services and improve them for service-users, where possible, but also improve the work and the environment of...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: As we know, that was not an accurate reflection of the status of negotiations at the time.

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy's contentions or theories on this matter. The Government entered this process in good faith, knowing it was difficult for all sides to try to find a common agreement on the issue. On the issue the Deputy raises, the Government considered its position on Tuesday morning and conveyed what its position was. It confirmed that the amounts that were contemplated as...

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not see what purpose the Deputy's proposal would have. What one should rely on is the work that has been put together and on which there would have been agreement had other things been worked through. There is an intrinsic merit and a worth to these documents that should not be easily forgotten and can form the basis of work for the future.

Social Partnership Negotiations. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The documents, as they emerged, do not require further background information. They set out the direction of reforms and transformation that could be contemplated in the right circumstances. As I stated, these circumstances can and should arise again sooner rather than later.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 41a, Budget Statement and the financial motions by the Minister for Finance, to be taken on the conclusion of questions to members of the Government. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and the motion for the general financial resolution shall be moved not later than 12 midnight...

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: To answer Deputy Kenny's question first, the grouping of resolutions or the way in which we take them will be agreed at the Whips meeting at 7 p.m. this evening. The social welfare Bill will be published after the Budget Statement has been issued. It will be later on this evening.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I can get the Whip to confirm the actual time but it will be later on this evening.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We can issue the Bill any time. My understanding is the publication of the Bill will not be dependent on taking a vote.

Order of Business (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are confident enough, no more than the Deputy himself.

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Recapitalisation arises as a result of the nationalisation of Anglo Irish Bank in that specific case and because of the investments taxpayers have made in other covered institutions. Those issues are separate from the Budget Statement to be made by the Minister for Finance today. We need a functioning banking system in order to have a proper economy. That is a continuing challenge for the...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have made the point to Deputy Kenny that I will not speculate on any further recapitalisation required for any bank. Clearly, any future recapitalisation that may be necessary is not incorporated in the figures for today's budget.

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The question relates to an investment-----