Results 5,421-5,440 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----that deal, in a targeted manner, with particular problems. He is committed to progressing such proposals in a helpful way. To ascribe mal fides, in the way the Deputy has done, is not responsible or accurate. It is a question of dealing with the issue in a substantive way, recognising that some schools require continuing assistance, which the Minister is anxious to facilitate on the...

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have information specifically relating to this question, of which I did not have notice. I can contact the Deputy in due course and clarify many of the issues he raises. I do not accept that it is the universal view that there are insufficient beds in the system. What is needed is the utilisation of those beds to best effect. We have seen a big increase in the number of day cases...

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the changes currently under way, more than 20,000 additional day-case treatments have been delivered by our health services so far this year, compared to the same period last year.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: If it is about increased activity to deal with waiting lists, which was the premise of Deputy Gilmore's question, the idea that they can only be dealt with by the provision of additional beds flies in the face of the facts.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The reforms which have been implemented have seen a more efficient and effective utilisation of beds in the system currently.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Those co-located hospitals for which there is project agreement, subject to planning permission and the availability of finance, will proceed. The question of existing bed complements is not a static situation. Efficiencies have been and are being achieved by an increase in the number of day-cases and shorter stays by patients in surgical units.

Leaders' Questions (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is the issue. The detail on the up to date position can be provided by way of letter.

Northern Ireland Issues. (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 12, inclusive, together. Together with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, I met with Gerry Adams, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and representatives from Sinn Féin on 8 July last. I then met with Mark Durkan, Minister Margaret Ritchie and their SDLP colleagues on 9 July. At these meetings we discussed recent developments...

Northern Ireland Issues. (21 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said in my reply there have been a number of meetings involving both Governments and the Northern Ireland parties in recent weeks. The main focus of those talks has been the financial package to support the Northern Ireland Executive once devolution of policing and justices has taken place. The Prime Minister has taken a close personal interest in those discussions and I am grateful to...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Taoiseach was consulted on 19 occasions in 2007, on 15 in 2008 and on 6 to date in 2009 further to Section 1.17 of the Cabinet Handbook. All requests indicated the appropriateness of the Minister being accompanied by his/her spouse/partner and on that basis were not refused. The Deputy will appreciate that Departments would not be likely to submit requests unless they considered them...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The cost to my Department of official domestic travel, including all transport costs, accommodation, meals and other incidentals incurred by myself, the former Taoiseach and the Ministers of State in 2007, 2008 and to end of September 2009 is detailed in the following table: Taoiseach Minister of State for European Affairs Chief Whip 2007 € 186.84 € 235.45 € 0.00 2008 € 1,067.50...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The cost of foreign travel, including flights, accommodation, food, subsistence and other incidental costs, incurred by myself, the former Taoiseach and Ministers of State at my Department, and including Private Office Staff (normally 2-3 officials), and Security who travelled on these occasions in 2007, 2008 and to the end of September 2009 is detailed in the following table: Taoiseach...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department has not incurred any costs relating to leaflet design, production or delivery for either my constituency office nor the constituency office of the Minister of State (Chief Whip) in 2007, 2008 to the end of September 2009. The Minister of State for European Affair's constituency office is based in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department currently has 21.60 staff at the grade of Principal Officer level or higher. This represents 13 % of the total staff of my Department. Following the full implementation of the incentivised early retirement scheme, my Department expects to have 20.60 staff at the grade of Principal Officer level or higher.

Written Answers — State Agencies: State Agencies (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) which includes the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) comes under the aegis of my Department. The normal civil service rules for travel and subsistence expenses apply to all staff of NESDO travelling on official...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the agreement between the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Ireland concerning mutual legal assistance in criminal matters; No. 11, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimates [Votes 7,...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am disappointed with Deputy Gilmore's concluding remarks. The Government proposal is a compromise to the various suggestions floating around. The Select Committee on Finance and the Public Service will meet tomorrow at 2 p.m. to discuss the timing and processing of Committee Stage of the NAMA Bill. It is expected the committee will agree to meet at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday morning in the...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree with Deputy Kenny it was welcome news to hear at the weekend of the successful outcome of the negotiations to secure the safe return here of Sharon Commins and of Hilda Kawuki to her family in Kampala. I join with everyone in the House in welcoming that outcome. I also thank all of those people who worked so hard, skilfully and patiently over such a long time to achieve it. I...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: We want to publish the report as soon as possible. There are still some legal issues to be determined between the DPP, the Attorney General and the Department. We must keep a balance between the need to publish as soon as possible and not doing anything to prejudice any prospective prosecutions or proceedings that may arise. This was a recent development and I assure the Deputy it is being...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for that.