Results 4,741-4,760 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The question relates to investment. Investment and recapitalisation do not have an effect on the Exchequer borrowing requirement. This is covered by EU rules in respect of national accounts. Regarding what must be done to avoid exposure to the taxpayer, this is the primary objective of the Government in respect of any investment made in any banks.

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy knows, the recapitalisation that has taken place at the Bank of Ireland and AIB is in respect of preference shares that the State has taken in those banks. The Minister has indicated that ordinary shares will be involved in any further investments or recapitalisation required in the future. We are being paid for the guarantees that we have given and are ensuring that there is...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I suppose on the morning of any budget there will always be a lot of political rhetoric.

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The revisionism that is taking place is pretty predictable. Every developed country in the world faces a large and difficult economic and financial crisis.

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: We have made an adjustment of over €8 billion in gross terms in 2009 through tax and changes in expenditure in order to bring public finances under control.

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of this budget is to stabilise that deficit and to create the necessary confidence within the country, and externally, that it will manage its affairs, that this Government will take the decisions necessary to sustain public services in the future and that there is no way around that. We have a divided Opposition which, on the one hand, wants no cuts in services or welfare-----

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----no cuts here or there, but, on the other, suggests that we will tax our way out of this problem by making further impositions on labour and companies. That would not maintain jobs, it would destroy them.

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the meantime, as one comes to the end of one's contribution, the usual shouting starts.

Departmental Staff. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. All civil servants retiring from my Department are entitled to an annual pension and lump sum, in accordance with the relevant legislation and conditions of service. Since 1997, there have been two occasions when discretionary arrangements were made in accordance with comparable terms applied previously in similar circumstances, and were so...

Departmental Staff. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not want to paraphrase or repeat what went on at the relevant committee but it is clear that in respect of the matters to which Deputy Kenny's question refers there were issues about entitlement on the basis of dismissal and a person ending his service, and to avoid the prospect of litigation, although that had not been formally put to the authorities at the time. However, in an effort...

Departmental Staff. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: These matters were dealt by personnel staff in the respective Departments working within the overall guidelines. As I said, the circumstances that were outlined and the particular issue raised by the Deputy have been well articulated, discussed and debated in the House. The rationale for it has been explained in the House, if it is not accepted by some. This is an issue that will be...

Departmental Staff. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have not dealt with that specific matter since then. As the Deputy said, this matter has been dealt with by the line Department. I have received no advice to the effect that the retrospective-----

Departmental Staff. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy made an assertion that retrospective Cabinet approval is required for that package. That is not anything I have been advised of. I will check out that matter but I would not accept that the Deputy's assertion is correct.

Departmental Staff. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: If I may be allowed to answer the question, I will give my opinion, if the Deputy wishes. If she wants to answer it herself, that is fine. I will sit and wait for her answer.

Departmental Staff. (9 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a fair question. I just want to be allowed to reply, that is all. The Deputy made an assertion that this was an illegal payment and that it requires retrospective Cabinet approval. I certainly have not been advised of that and I do not accept the Deputy's assertion that that is the case. Neither do I accept the assertion she makes that the Minister for Finance acted ultra vires....

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Since 2004 the following numbers of staff received financial assistance for further or higher education under the Refund of Fees Scheme (as set out under the Department of Finance's Circular 23/07 (Post Entry Education – Refund of Fees, Study Leave and Examination Leave) : 2004-2005 20 staff 2005-2006 34 staff 2006-2007 25 staff 2007-2008 20 staff 2008-2009 21 staff In some cases the...

Written Answers — Code of Practice: Code of Practice (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 107 together. The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) is the only Body under my Department to which the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies applies. The NESDO is currently reviewing and updating its Policy and Procedures Guidelines, which contain, inter alia, the detailed governance instructions and guidelines for...

Written Answers — Regulatory Forum: Regulatory Forum (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The recently published Government Statement on Economic Regulation indicates that the Annual Regulatory Forum will meet in the first quarter of each year commencing in 2010. The first meeting of the Forum is expected to take place in the week beginning 1 March. The Forum will involve meetings between the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, the Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Finance,...

Order of Business (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Supplementary Estimates were referred by the House on 24 November last to the Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service and were dealt with by it. All the discussion has taken place. There are nine Supplementary Estimates - six of them are technical and three are substantive. They have been discussed by the relevant select committee and have been returned to the House for...

Order of Business (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand it was broadly agreed on Committee Stage how the Bill would proceed and this proposal reflects that discussion on an all-party basis. I do not know what is the problem.