Results 5,441-5,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I saw the Director of Public Health from the Health Service Executive, Dr. Doorley, interviewed on this subject yesterday evening. He brought to public attention the fact that the vaccine is now being distributed and that it would be two weeks before everything is in place. We need to ensure that adequate arrangements are put in place. That is the up to date position. It is a question of...

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is in play at the moment. We made an early order for the vaccine and we have it and are proceeding with distribution. It is an operational matter at this stage for the HSE.

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: This legislation is due next year.

Order of Business (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill are being worked on. It is a complex area and we are proceeding as quickly as possible.

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The HSE has been doing much good work to make sure that money follows the patient and that resource allocation is appropriate for the needs of patients. The issue referred to by the Deputy relates to a position he outlined in recent times. We have invited him to get his plan objectively costed by the Department of Finance, but so far he has declined to do so. Two key changes would probably...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the continual portrayal of the health service, for all its problems, as not providing any successes or improvements. That is clearly not the case. If one examines successive HSE yearly service plans, one will see that many of the targets set in the plans have been met and in some cases exceeded. Measures taken in areas like cancer care and the reorganisation of hospital...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out the NAMA legislation and the changes in banking generally are to effect orderly restructuring of the banking and financial system over time. Instead of speaking continually about stumping up money for the banking system, one should note an investment is being made by the taxpayer in a shareholding in two of our main banks and by way of having to nationalise...

Leaders' Questions (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the contention that there has been very little change. There are different chairmen in various banks and different chief executives in various banks and building societies. With regard to the institutions covered under the guarantee scheme, there have been a number of changes. As the Deputy stated, there was an increase in the number of public interest directors...

Death of Former Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am pleased to have this opportunity to pay tribute to Nuala Fennell, a woman of great energy and strong achievement. On behalf of my party and the Government, I extend sincere condolences to Nuala's husband, Brian, her children, Jacqueline, Garrett and Amanda and her grandchildren, Ian, Eveline, Kate, James and Amelie. I also extend sympathy to Deputy Kenny and the Fine Gael Party on the...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out that we look to all sections of the community to make a contribution, but we also have to do so in a way that respects and is consistent with the constitutional independence of the Judiciary. I hope and believe that will all be demonstrated in due course to be the case. I do not wish to enter into a controversy with any particular section of the community. My...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said in an earlier response on this matter, it is important to point out that the seven social partnership agreements we have had have helped to provide the stability and the means by which society generally has progressed, not only in terms of wage and remuneration or pay issues between employers and employees but in terms of the wider social policy advancements that have been made on...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: First, the figure of adjustment we believe is required is in the order of €4 billion, given that at present we are seeking to stabilise, let alone reduce, the deficit position for next year vis-á-vis this year. This is an important point to make. On the question of the public sector pay bill, as I have stated, we believe that is an area of public expenditure from which a contribution will...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The analysis we received from NESC earlier this month follows its analysis provided in January which fed into the February framework. It also provided further analysis in March. The Government recognises that there are many facets to this problem. The analysis also makes the fundamental point that this matter is not alone the responsibility of Government but of all economic and social...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. The Government has had extensive discussions with the social partners during the course of the year following the framework agreed with them on 28 January 2009. Under that framework we agreed on the need to stabilise the public finances to achieve a reduction in the overall Government deficit to below 3% by 2013 through an...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It would be better for the Deputy to address the details of his latter questions to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The discussions with the social partners are about meeting with them on the basis of the updated NESC report, which confirms that an integrated approach is needed to resolve the problems that we face. Engaging with the social partners is not just a matter...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government will give an up-to-date assessment of its view on the current budgetary and fiscal challenges. When one looks at public expenditure in general, one notes that, in broad terms, one third of public money is spent on social welfare and social services, one third is spent on public sector pay and pensions and one third is spent on the provision of services. Our first aim is to...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Pay and pensions comprise a very considerable proportion of total public expenditure, as I have outlined in broad terms. The severity of the funding crisis has already brought about a reduction in the numbers employed in the public service. With colleagues retiring and taking career breaks, and with the moratorium on recruitment in place, there is wide recognition among staff and their...

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny knows the scale of the public finances crisis which confronts the country. Stabilising next year's deficit requires a considerable adjustment. Is it his contention that there are swathes of the population who can be immune from contributing to the necessary adjustment? If so, that is not a fair, comprehensible or accurate assessment of the situation.

Discussions with Social Partners. (20 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny suggests that there are swathes of people who could be immune from contributing. I simply make the point that the situation we face in terms of the public finances requires that every area of public expenditure on all fronts has to be considered. All areas of the public sector have to be considered. One acknowledges the role the public service plays in our society. Public...

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The situation as has emerged has not changed the position in respect of this matter. The correspondence simply reflects the fact that the FÁS director general's severance arrangements were informed by what he could have claimed under the 1998 guidelines if his contract had been terminated. It has been quite clear all along that the terms he received were broadly in line with what he might...