Results 5,221-5,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Bill has been passed and a commencement order in respect of all sections except section 132 will proceed on 1 December. Consideration must now be given on when to deal with the rest of the Bill, section 132, by a separate commencement order. The Deputies should be aware that to ask when a commencement order to a Bill that has already been passed will be made is a matter for the...

Order of Business (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is asking me about a commencement order.

European Council Meeting: Statements (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I attended the meeting of the European Council in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, 29 and 30 October. I was accompanied at the meeting by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and by Deputy Dick Roche, Minister of State with responsibility for European Union affairs. The European Council meeting was the first regular meeting of European Heads of State in some time at...

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Leader of the Opposition will be aware that the budgetary discussion is ongoing and that clarity will be provided on 9 December. We will indicate what choices the Government had to make, the reasons we made them and we will seek to do this in a way that is as fair and as equitable as possible. With regard to the social welfare budget, I have simply made the case that we have a spend of...

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the next four weeks, the Leader of the Opposition can indicate to a whole series of people that there are easier ways to deal with the situation. We await the alternative budget proposals of the Opposition and we will see how credible and sustainable they are.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Meanwhile, the Government will continue to prepare for the budget, taking all options into account. It is right that we look at all options. In last April's supplementary budget, the Minister for Finance indicated that child benefit would be examined. The McCarthy report also made reference to it. When there are limited resources one must assist those who are most vulnerable and, perhaps,...

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, we have made the decision. It was a very difficult one and had to be considered in the context of the last budget. We decided we would not be in a position to make that supplementary payment this year. The total cost of the Christmas bonus payment in 2009 was approximately €223 million. The estimated cost for 2010 is €245 million. In recent years, there have been...

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore was a member of a Government which gave an increase of £1.50 to pensioners, and said it was plenty.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: They never had to consider cuts because their payments were so meagre.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The point I make is that when resources were available we, quite rightly, improved welfare and pension rates well beyond inflation.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Even this year, we provided for an increase, despite the difficult financial situation. I accept that people on pensions and welfare have low incomes. However, the cost of living dropped by 6.5% this year-----

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----and this means the purchasing power of those increases was 10%.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: In real terms, the increase in social welfare payments was 10%. If payment increases by between 3% and 3.8% and the cost of living drops by 6.5%, the real increase is 10%, in a very difficult year.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government's record with regard to increases in pension and welfare rates is better than that of any of its predecessors.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: However, the current situation is this. How do we sustain levels of payment, given the country's finances, now and in the years ahead?

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not correct to suggest that 35% of the country's total spend can be immune from the situation we face.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I would rather it were otherwise but that is not the case, and everyone in the House knows it. With regard to my treatment of anyone else, I hold no brief for anyone who is involved in wrongdoing, whether in banking or elsewhere.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance will take advice from the Revenue Commissioners in respect of any issue where an avoidance matter is raised with him and deal with it appropriately in the Finance Bill.

Leaders' Questions (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is what every Minister for Finance has done and this Minister will do no less in that regard.

EU Council Meetings. (11 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. I attended the European Council in Brussels on 29 and 30 October. As I will make a statement in the House later, I will merely give a summary account of the proceedings. The Council discussed institutional issues, including implementation of the Lisbon treaty and agreement was reached in regard to the Czech position. I warmly...