Results 4,981-5,000 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have made it clear, as I did yesterday when I visited areas affected by the flood, that the Government will see what it can do to assist in every way it can. Businesses are in the process of cleaning up and, as far as is possible, opening again, although some are, of course, waiting for the flood waters to abate in order that they can return to their premises. There are insurance issues...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept Deputy Gilmore's first contention, which is that there was no national response. There has been a good level of co-ordination as a result of the establishment of the emergency planning office some years ago. Those plans are in place precisely to meet such situations. There is good inter-agency co-ordination, which provides a quick response when an emergency arises. We...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I acknowledge the introductory remarks of the Deputy in respect of the second part of his question. On flood protection works, the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh, has visited many areas throughout the country in order to discharge his responsibilities in respect of this matter. Significant funding is being made available. Some €100 million was provided during the past five years....

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will deal with that point in a moment. In respect of the capital works that are ongoing, the OPW has a number of further plans to bring forward.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The people of Clonmel are aware that phase 1 of the works in their town has been extremely successful. Phases 2 and 3 will be commencing, it is hoped, in March 2010. Works in Mallow, Carrick-on-Suir and Kilkenny have also been successful and those in Fermoy are awaiting commencement.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The works to which I refer are ongoing and will become an increasing feature of the overall work of the OPW in the future. As matters stand, there will be a need for an investment of €50 million per annum and that is before any review takes place in respect of recent events. There will be a need to identify and prioritise. I am acutely aware that there are certain parts of the country...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: These are important issues for many communities and they will not be easily solved. There are some aspects of these problems to which there is no technical solution. That is a fact of life for the communities which have lived in the various affected river basins for many years. The problems to which I refer will not be solved overnight, if they are to be solved at all. On how we should go...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy McCormack got the job done in his area. Well done to him. I stress that this is a more medium to long-term issue. It is also a capital works issue and it must be addressed. The immediate priority is that those who are experiencing hardship must be assisted. Members of the agricultural community are also experiencing difficulties as a result of recent events. We must also continue...

Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32 (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: A motion will be taken in the House at 7 p.m.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 43, statements on industrial action by public sector unions in relation to public sector pay; and No. 44, statements on farming and the agrifood sector. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 43 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion after 80 minutes today and the following arrangements shall...

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the third point, that issue has not yet been considered by the Government. It is being examined in the Department of Finance and has not yet been brought before the Government. On the first issue raised by the Deputy, the objective of the Government is to proceed, if possible, on the basis of an agreement that meets the economic and financial objectives we have set. In respect of what...

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That was the criticism that attended the first benchmarking process where we were initiating a process and seeking to provide confidence in the system, but the second benchmarking process was more transparent regarding its terms of reference and information on comparators. The report confirms that; it was a learning exercise in that respect. The purpose was always that the public service...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 7, inclusive, together. These are political agreements that my predecessor entered into as leader of the Fianna Fáil Party with individual Independent Deputies. On becoming leader of Fianna Fáil, I confirmed to the Deputies concerned that I would continue to implement these agreements. The House is aware that such arrangements have been in place for...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not know what the dynamics of politics in County Mayo are but every member of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party supports the Government in office unconditionally and without question.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That would never be the case in this party. It is an old republican principle we have practised for a long time.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a political agreement. The Deputy will have found that when one is trying to secure a majority on a county council or coming into a new Dáil and one has not had a chance to form a Government, political agreements are reached. These agreements are based on the programme for Government, on which basis the support of the Deputies is available to the Government. That has been the...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, they were not asked to second guess political agreements between parties. That would be an unusual precedent to set, as the Deputy will be aware. The agreements, which continue, were put in place on the formation of the Government in 2007. Deputies Lowry and Healy-Rae have those understandings which we will seek to honour in mutually supportive fashion.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have just outlined that Deputies Lowry and Healy-Rae, who support the Government, have an agreement with it. There was an agreement with Deputy Finian McGrath relevant to his support of the Government. He withdrew support for the Government and therefore no arrangements arise. The matter depends on support for the Government and this is usually the way it works. The day a Deputy...

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not get into the details of these agreements but that issue post-dates any agreement made at the time.

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The matter should be addressed to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.