Results 5,261-5,280 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: If there are changes to be introduced before the beginning of the year it will have to be before the House before Christmas.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I simply make the point that if the Bill includes changes which come into place on a certain date the legislation must be enacted before that date. This is obvious. If Deputy Gilmore is suggesting that issues of the scale facing us can be dealt with without reference to the €21 billion budget, I do not think that is fair either.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is being a little previous. I understand that during the debate on Committee Stage, the Minister will indicate his intention to bring forward an amendment on Report Stage.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes. It cannot even go to the committee without Cabinet approval. Of course it has.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no change to the second Bill. It will come forward next year. The Multi-Units Development Bill is in the Seanad. It gives rise to a number of issues. The Office of the Attorney General, the Parliamentary Counsel and other Departments are discussing ways and means of preparing and drafting Committee Stage amendments when it returns to the Dáil.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Greens are in the Government.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It might be raised on the Adjournment. Deputy Costello might even raise it himself.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will have to revert to the Deputy on the second matter. With regard to the first matter, the Minister has met his counterpart in Northern Ireland, Ms Margaret Ritchie. He believes this matter could be dealt with on an all-Ireland basis.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not imminent. Discussions are taking place.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Looking at the renewed programme for Government, there is no change in the policy position in regard to that matter.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: They certainly were when Deputy Stagg was in charge as well.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the issue Deputy Stagg raised with me last week, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was able to correspond with him today based on my inquiries on his behalf. As he said, both Bills completed Second Stage in the Seanad before the summer recess but since the publication of the Bills, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has received a large number of...

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be next year.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The normal situation is that the social welfare Bill enacts those aspects of the budget that require legislative change in terms of social welfare announcements in the budget. The Deputy referred to other legislative proposals on the legislative programme which will take their own course. The social welfare Bill relates to the budget but Deputies have an opportunity to speak about social...

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for that legislation.

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I explained, a discussion is taking place between the Attorney General and the Parliamentary Counsel in respect of amendments which were deemed necessary based on the debates which have taken place in these Houses and the consultation which has taken place with stakeholders to meet the policy objective for which the Bill. In order to have legislation which is effective and meets the...

Order of Business (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said, this matter requires further amendment and work is ongoing on it. I am aware of the interest Deputies on all sides of the House have had in regard to this legislation and the need to bring it forward as soon as possible. As Deputy Rabbitte said, there has been an unusually heavy workload on the Attorney General's office in respect of the preparation of legislation given the...

Official Engagements. (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board was established in late 1992. Its purpose is to engage corporate leaders in the United States in an effort to promote Ireland as an investment location, to avail of their help in the Northern Ireland situation and to respond to Irish-American leaders' willingness to be identified with Irish issues. Meetings with the board provide an invaluable...

Official Engagements. (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to investment, even in the past five years there has been a significant change in the profile of investment. Five years ago, 10% of IDA-approved projects from the United States were in the area of research and development whereas 40% of the investments last year were in that category. This demonstrates the strong capital-intensive commitment being made by multinationals in...

Official Engagements. (10 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am aware the committee of which Deputy McManus is a member has produced a report and the heads of a Bill on this question. It is a matter for the Minister and the Government to decide what contribution that can make to legislation envisaged in this area. The goodwill of the European Union is not in question on this matter. We have set out our targets and in the conclusions of the...