Results 4,861-4,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Public Relations Contracts. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: No, those assessments are carried out by the line Departments. There are many public information notices and campaigns which are necessary to bring to the attention of citizens. They cover issues such as statutory requirements and matters of public importance in particular areas. In July 2008 the Minister for Finance announced a 50% reduction in departmental consultancy expenditure. It...
- Public Relations Contracts. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to the Quigley report and the recommendations and conclusions therein which set out the advice and procedures to be adopted in various circumstances. The purpose of this report was to bring clarity to the issue and to ensure that Ministers and officeholders are aware of arrangements for the future. I refer the Deputy to the conclusions of that report.
- Public Relations Contracts. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: The guidelines given to the Secretary General of Government and Government secretariat relate to the examination of certain procurements. As such, there is no committee overseeing the awarding of public relations contracts by Ministers. The matter is dealt with by the secretariat. I do not have available the figures requested by the Deputy. In July 2008, the Minister for Finance sought...
- Public Relations Contracts. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I do not recall any instances having been brought to my attention. The guidelines are being observed.
- Departmental Offices. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together. As my predecessor indicated to the House on 3 October 2007 and on 8 April 2008, and as I indicated on 12 November 2008 and on 27 May 2009 in response to similar questions, the implementation of the relevant recommendations of the Nally report in regard to the reorganisation of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor was completed in 2007.
- Departmental Offices. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: The following is the situation in respect of the Office of the Chief State Solicitor as a result of the Nally report. Approval was given in January 2007 for the recruitment of 16 additional staff. The office currently has an authorised staffing level of 249 full-time equivalents and has a total of 233 full-time equivalent staff serving in the office and is carrying two vacancies. Like all...
- Departmental Offices. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that much work in a solicitor's office is dealt with by counsel in terms of the preparation of briefs where cases in litigation are being taken and that this may require the employment of barristers and so on. Obviously, this type of work - if one wishes to call it that - is outsourced. The office conducts its own administrative arrangements and legal requirements,...
- Departmental Offices. (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: All of those issues are considered in the context of there being fewer staff than authorised in that office. A reduction by way of 14 qualified staff, depending on their grade and work, would equate to that amount.
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 1, Companies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage; No. 1a, Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2009 [Seanad] - Second Stage, to adjourn at 7 p.m., if not previously concluded, and the order shall not resume thereafter; and No. 46, statements on climate change (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that...
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: In an effort to facilitate a request from the Opposition yesterday, we reduced the time for debate on this Bill on the basis that it would allow more time for statements on climate change. I am now surprised to hear, having explained this Bill had to be enacted prior to Christmas for the reasons outlined, which are well known to the spokespersons, that there is a problem in this regard. So...
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: The latter is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Regarding the climate change Bill, it is expected next year. The other Bill mentioned by the Deputy is a Private Members' Bill, which is its status at the moment.
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: Whether the Government supports any Bill from whatever source depends on the Government giving consideration to those matters. There are many all-party recommendations from committees on a whole range of issues, reports, etc., that must be considered by Government in due course. It does not denote prior approval by Government in every respect of the issue involved, whether it is legislation...
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I am not aware of any other plans beyond what is scheduled at the moment. Clearly, if there are any changes in social welfare, a Bill would have to be enacted in time for them coming into operation. This would have to be done and is the normal position. A budget debate can be resumed in some instances beyond the period in which we are at the moment.
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I have indicated the position to the Deputy. The budget is taking place on 9 December. We will have a budget debate. A social welfare Bill will also have to be enacted, to bring the budgetary decisions into operation. The Government's only strategy involves making the budgetary adjustments that are necessary to maintain a credible budgetary strategy and enacting legislation in a timely...
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy is wrong.
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: As I have said, the budget debate often continues beyond the immediate aftermath of the budget, or the week of the budget. In my experience, that has been the normal practice in the past. A social welfare Bill is always required in the aftermath of a budget to provide for any social welfare changes that may be demanded. We will have to do that in a manner that is consistent with the...
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I am sure the Deputy will be aware of the statements made in the last week, following the publication of the Murphy report, by the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, about the status of the legislation in question. The heads of the Bill are being prepared in the Department of Health and Children as a matter of priority. The Minister of State hopes to bring those heads to the...
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: The process is under way, as I have said. The question of whether these matters should be dealt with constitutionally or legislatively was referred to the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children, which is chaired by Deputy O'Rourke. The legislative route has been taken and progress has been made. All I can do is reiterate what has been said about this legislation on a...
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I understand that while the heads of the Bill have almost been finalised, there is no date for its introduction.
- Order of Business (2 Dec 2009)
Brian Cowen: I understand it is hoped to bring that legislation forward early in the new year.