Results 521-540 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: It can be difficult to disprove a motion of no confidence in three minutes listening to the heckling that is going on here. One would almost feel like a contestant on "Countdown". I will get straight to it. The majority of the Opposition is piggybacking on the genuine fears and concerns of very vulnerable people. It has created an unhelpful caricature of the evil landlord. Many others,...

Confidence in Government: Motion (29 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: March into office.

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: 8. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action being taken on the recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces that the future disposition and structures of the Army be regionally balanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14375/23]

Written Answers — Department of Defence: Defence Forces (23 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: 23. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the action being taken in relation to the finding of the Commission on the Defences Forces that in the current structure, the army brigades are not deployable and do not align to international standards in terms of their strength or capabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14376/23]

Written Answers — Department of Health: Hospital Appointments Status (23 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: 343. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on a case (details supplied) and when the person concerned can expect an appointment at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin. [14422/23]

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: As we started late today due to the voting block in the Chamber, I ask for members' agreement to defer the private business until next week. Is that agreed? Agreed. I welcome Dr. Conor O'Toole, Dr. Kieran McQuinn and Ms Wendy Disch from the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI. Before we begin, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege and the practice of...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: I thank Dr. McQuinn for that comprehensive opening contribution. I will now open the meeting to our members, following our usual rota. I call Deputy Doherty.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: I thank Deputy Doherty. We will move on to Deputy Boyd Barrett.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: This is particularly relevant for Ireland because it so often happens to us that our corporation tax exceeds what we expected.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: Can that be linked to our new 5% increased annual spending rule?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: Dr. McQuinn mentioned the sectors of pensions, climate change, housing and health in his opening statement. There is a major difference because they often fit in very different categories of capital expenditure and pensions are a world unto themselves.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: The site value tax is a policy that has floated around in my party for a very long time. Economists tend to like the idea because it is very clear and effective. However, very few EU countries apply it in its purest sense and tend to use a much more mediated version. Certainly we looked at the report compiled by the Commission on Taxation and Welfare that recommended we keep the current...

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: Is Dr. O'Toole describing what we have now in terms of housing taxation as a subset of site value tax?

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: I will ask a final question and then bring in Deputy Canney. We talked a little bit about inflation and we have the Central Bank coming in after this session. Would the witnesses like to make a comment around the current banking crisis in the United States and whether they believe it will impact on rates and inflation in general? I presume they are keeping an eye on that.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: Deputies Canney and Durkan have joined us. I advise them that we are running a little late due to the vote that took place at 5.30 p.m. We have two sessions tonight. I am very aware that representatives from the Central Bank are waiting outside, so I might ask people to keep their comments fairly short if that is okay. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has also arrived.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: The next speaker is Deputy Michael Healy-Rae, followed by Deputy Durkan. I ask Deputy Healy-Rae to be mindful that I need to conclude this session at 7.30 p.m.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: I will ask the witnesses to come in at this point. The Deputy's question is about access to mortgages. There is a broader question about access to credit more generally, including for businesses.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: I know Deputy Healy-Rae wants to come back in but we have witnesses from the Central Bank waiting outside the room and we have another session to get through tonight.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: I ask the Deputy to do so quickly.

Committee on Budgetary Oversight: Stability Programme Update: Discussion (22 Mar 2023)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Deputy. I will not bring him back in because I want to give Deputy Durkan a chance. I encourage the Deputy to be brief as I will soon look to start the session with the representatives of the Central Bank.