Results 5,321-5,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The live register headline figures are officially coming out this morning and they are expected to be 412,400. That represents a month on month decrease of 11,200 or 2.6% since September 2009. The decrease is evident across all nationality groupings. One takes no great heart from the fact that we have 412,400 people on the headline total for the live register at the end of October. The...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The best way to maintain and increase jobs now and in the future is by making the economy more competitive. We must bring back growth into the economy. This year there has been a contraction in the economy of 7.5%, which has been a huge challenge to the system. What we have agreed with other members of the eurozone and what we will set out in our budgetary strategy in the coming weeks will...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: While I recognise the wonderful work done by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the moral situation we must face is how we can provide a sustainable level of assistance to people who are on social welfare, based on our current economic circumstances. If it is suggested that the choice is that one leaves everything as it is because one wants to be in favour of helping those who are...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: However, we now face a completely different situation as a result of a crisis that has developed.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The idea that we can deal with that situation by stating that over 35% of our current spending can remain immune from consideration in all circumstances does not take into account the seriousness and scale of the problems we face.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am interested in providing a solution to this problem which recognises that we must assist the people who are most vulnerable to the greatest extent possible and consistent with a sustainable path forward and a sustainable budgetary position. If we do not have such a position, we will place at risk our ability to maintain the level of supports we would otherwise be unable to maintain if we...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Last year we provided a 3.5% increase. I acknowledge that this is a difficult matter for anyone to be obliged to deal with. During the good times, however, when resources were available we ensured-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----that money was provided to the categories to which I refer, and rightly so. We now face a situation where, if we want to maintain levels of support into the future, we must discover a sustainable budgetary position and policy. The idea that 35% of the total current spend should remain immune from consideration does not take into account the scale of the challenge we face.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the contentions made by Deputy Gilmore and I wish to make a number of points in reply. I had a discussion with Deputy Kenny a few moments ago regarding the importance of providing employment in order to avoid the possibility of people's incomes falling. In the budgets introduced in October 2008 and April of this year, we increased personal taxation to a considerable degree in...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: To the best extent possible, we must also maintain the position of those on low incomes. There is a 12% deficit in respect of the current account. In light of the cyclical nature of things, when growth returns to the economy that deficit can be dealt with over time. However, there is also a structural deficit in the economy-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----which must be dealt with.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the context of the deficit and what we are spending compared to what we are in a position to earn-----

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----there is a gap which must be closed.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: In attempting to close the gap, it is necessary to consider all areas of expenditure. The size of the problem is such that the idea that we can exclude 35% of the current spend from consideration is unacceptable. There are those who say that the social welfare budget should not be touched, while another constituency is stating that the €19 billion in public service pay and pensions should...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: No. I am simply making the point that in that context and in this year alone, purchasing power was approximately 8.5%.

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: When we bring forward our budget and when those opposite frame their alternatives, we must all consider what is the sustainable way forward. In light of the fact that up to the end of October the total revenue accruing was €26 billion while the social welfare bill alone stands at €21 billion, are the Deputies opposite suggesting that it will be possible to maintain all payments into next...

Leaders' Questions (4 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is not possible and the Deputies opposite are aware of that fact.

Written Answers — Climate Change and Energy Security: Climate Change and Energy Security (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: The last meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security took place on 7 October 2009. The next meeting of the committee has not been scheduled yet.

Written Answers — Programmes for Government: Programmes for Government (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: Last month, the Government parties agreed a renewed programme for Government. Our initial Programme for Government, published following the 2007 General Election, made clear that its delivery was based on a growth rate of 4.5%. It was negotiated prior to the worst global downtown since the 1930s. The recent review is about ensuring the programme for Government reflects current economic...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (3 Nov 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together. Our records show that the Taoiseach was consulted on 67 occasions in 2003, on 52 in 2004, on 26 in 2005 and on 25 in 2006 further to section 1.17 of the Cabinet Handbook. As I stated previously, Departments would not be likely to submit requests unless they considered them appropriate.