Results 5,001-5,020 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Agreements with Members. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Any political agreements are subject to understandings about various policy matters which the Government is prepared to proceed with and which have the support and agreement of any Deputy supporting the Government. This is about people representing their areas in respect of Government policy. At the time the Government was formed, it was possible to enter into political agreements with...

Ministerial Appointments. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. On 22 April 2009, the Government appointed Deputy Pat Carey as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Defence; and Deputy Dick Roche as Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European affairs. As Chief Whip, the Minister of...

Ministerial Appointments. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have no immediate plans in that regard. Political decisions were taken during the course of the year as part of our response to the emerging financial position. I regard the work done by Ministers of State as important; it is not only supplementary to the work of Ministers, as they carry out work which is important for the Government and the general public in their delegated duties.

Ministerial Appointments. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The objective should be, where possible, to have a Minister or Minister of State from the relevant Department but that is not always possible. It is a question of Dáil reform as to when these matters might be taken during the course of the parliamentary day.

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. Of the 169 civil servants currently serving in my Department, 28 have applied through the central applications facility, CAF, to relocate under the decentralisation programme. The breakdown by grade is nine assistant principals, five higher executive officers, two administrative officers, four executive officers, one staff officer, six...

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have to hand information on what are their preferences. It is a matter for decentralised offices to use the central applications facility to decide what personnel will be asked to move to the locations. This will be in line with their preferences.

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Detailed questions in respect of the decentralisation programme are dealt with by the Department of Finance. I am dealing with my Department's position. From replies issued by the Department of Finance at the time and since then by the new incumbent, there has been a saving by Departments and the State in respect of the cost of relocating to sites as opposed to the disposal of sites in...

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I assume there has been no further decentralisation since this question was asked in March. The detail of the programme is dealt with by the Department of Finance. The decision made in the last budget stands. Those who are in the process of moving will continue to complete the move while others are kept under review until 2011.

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The detail of where the programme is in every respect is best dealt with by the Department of Finance. That Department deals with the decentralisation programme on an ongoing basis. Advance parties in temporary offices that will be converted into permanent premises in the location they are in or locations in the same town will complete decentralisation in that way. In 2011, the Government...

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That relates to a review on programme expenditure, the McCarthy report. Recommendations have been made in respect of trying to rationalise local authorities and local authority provision. One reads much in the newspapers coming up to budget time, including speculation, argument and suggestions. Decisions are made on budget day and we should concentrate on these. How I reconcile any change...

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Neither assertion is true. I just made the point to Deputy Shatter's leader that there has been a saving in overall capital cost terms of relocating-----

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes, it is possible to have efficient Government outside the beltway. The Deputy may not be aware of that but it is possible.

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: No-----

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am trying to figure out the source of Deputy Shatter's rumour.

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Shatter is not from the decentralisation wing of Fine Gael. There are a few wings in the party on this issue.

Decentralisation Programme. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Did I hit a nerve? In every other respect, the Deputy is impressing his leader but not on that one.

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: There have been two reports from the public service benchmarking body. The increases recommended in the first report of the body were implemented in my Department in the following manner: the first 25% of the recommended increase was paid in June 2003 with effect from 1 December 2001. The total cost to December 2003 was approximately €405,000. A further 50% of the recommended increase...

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Talks are ongoing; they are not beginning tomorrow. As the Deputy is aware, they are on the basis of the trade unions' indication that they believe policy options are available to the Government for the purposes of achieving necessary savings next year in the public service pay bill. Obviously, the Government has been in discussions with the trade unions on various data and policy issues...

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Pay increases recommended under that process were conditional on real and verifiable outputs with regard to modernisation and flexibility. There were conditions attached to the payment. In some cases where there was a delay in agreed modernisation or flexibility was not forthcoming, the payments were also delayed until such time as that was delivered. It is not right to say there was no...

Benchmarking Awards. (24 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a challenging agenda for all sides, both management and staff. I believe the discussions have been entered into in good faith. There is an understanding and recognition of the Government's position in terms of the financial realities with which we must deal. Obviously, there is limited time available to see whether the basis of an agreement is possible. The Government has decisions...