Results 4,781-4,800 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----one has to be vigilant all the time and invest in whatever control mechanisms we can devise that will be effective. We must also be fair and ensure we do not suggest there is a level of defrauding taking place because that does an injustice to those who are entitled to it. I accept totally and unequivocally that anyone who uses the system on the basis of not being entitled to it does...

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is completely at variance with the facts. As the Deputy said, we met with the ICTU representatives on Tuesday morning. A proposal was put to the Government which I said would be considered by Cabinet. It was considered by Cabinet but unfortunately it did not meet the first requirement on the amount of savings that would be required. We reserved our position with regard to it. We...

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I completely reject that view. It is unfortunate that it is usual practice to introduce personalities into the situation. In any discussions I have had with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on these matters the Minister for Finance accompanied me to all those meetings and full and frank discussions took place between all the parties concerned. The Government was at one with regard to...

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not wish to go over everything again but unfortunately on Wednesday it was stated in the media that morning, and subsequently, that a deal had been done-----

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: That was not the case and it was never the Government position

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government discussed this matter on Tuesday at Cabinet and conveyed our position which was the Government position. I had stated time out of number that the amount required was €1.3 billion. I also made the point-----

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: I ask the Deputy to allow me to reply to his leader. I made the case on Wednesday morning in this House that we required permanency -----

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy must listen while I explain the situation. The negotiations developed. I want to make it clear that the Government had a view on this matter. We were prepared to continue with those discussions. I outlined the Government position clearly to the House on Wednesday and I stated that we needed permanency and a sufficient amount, and we needed to ensure there would be no disruption...

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: These were sectoral discussions that took place between management and public sector unions. I know about the documents to which Deputy Gilmore refers. In fact by reason of continuing with the talks, one was able to develop the very sectoral documents to which the Deputy refers.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: They relate to the agenda for transforming the public service which is a continuing item on the agenda and which will need to be addressed.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: They provide for-----

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore does not wish me to speak uninterrupted although he spoke without interruption. Deputy Gilmore made a very politically charged comment and I wish to respond without interruption, but the continuing interruption is to suggest that I am not to be allowed to do so.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance can present his proposals in the pay area in a stronger position tomorrow morning because we have come to an understanding that this is the sort of figure that is required for 2010. The problem was that the public service unions had to come with a very restricted mandate which was not about being in a position to negotiate a pay cut so they proposed a deduction for...

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: What we had was a commitment on the basis that everyone agreed and understood-----

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----that the transformation agenda would not provide us with €1 billion in 2010, were one to proceed with it. What we had was a commitment to continue to discuss that matter in 2010 but no clear way in which the balance of savings could be found. Those are the facts of the position.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government had to make a decision on what we believed would be the right thing to do in the circumstances. Clearly, what we have to do is ensure that there is a reduction in the public service pay bill that will be sufficient and permanent for the circumstances we are talking about. That is what we did.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is the truth and it was the consistent position that emerged.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, we have in place today a long-term agenda to transform services which will still be available when we return to it. While there is considerable unhappiness at the moment, we should seek to re-engage on the change agenda against the background of a measured agreement reached last week.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is clear that unless we do this over the coming years, we will put at risk the ability to maintain current remuneration levels without further reform.

Leaders' Questions (8 Dec 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is what we need to get down to. The fact of the matter is we have an unsustainable position in relation to welfare and public sector pay.