Results 5,461-5,480 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: That was the issue that arose. It was clearly the case that it was regarded as in the best interests of the organisation that the change take place. Therefore, as far as the board was concerned the arrangements made were analogous to those if the contract had been extended. If one considers the guidelines in place, they relate to the severance arrangements whereby people have an...

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is wrong in the contention he makes. The arrangements were that the FÁS board would discuss the matter with the outgoing CEO at that time, refer it to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and obtain the approval of the Department of Finance. That was the arrangement that was made and followed in this case. There was no other arrangement required in that respect....

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Excuse me. Will the Deputy let me explain the situation?

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Had they decided to terminate the contract, under the terms and conditions of employment he would have been entitled to seek those increased severance arrangements. That is the point. In the interests of the organisation, both were coming to the conclusion that this was the right thing to do. He was prepared to go on the basis of being dealt with, as he would claim, fairly. Had the...

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The signing off was by the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Excuse me, I have explained to the Deputy that one has got to move on with the correspondence.

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The severance arrangements were approved by the Departments under the provisions of the Labour Services Act 1987. That was the legislative basis upon which the decisions were taken. It was under that legislation that the remuneration and superannuation entitlements of the director general applied.

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is talking about the normal practice of any office in discussing the pros and cons of issues as they are debated. However, the issue emerged that it was in the interests of the organisation that it be moved on and that it would be decided under the terms of the Labour Services Act. The point I was making about the Department of Finance guidelines was that if the contract had been...

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: They were applied in this case.

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to recognise that the level of mortgage arrears which results in house repossessions by the lender is, thankfully, still very low in this country. In previous discussions we have had on this matter, I have stressed the need for people who are not in a position to pay or who have temporary difficulties, to make contact with the lending agencies. There are codes of practice in...

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: With reference to the measures adopted in other jurisdictions, the Government will examine ways of expanding its own mortgage measures. A range of options and efforts will be made to assist in every way possible. As regards a moratorium being put in all cases concerning mortgage repayments, it is a question of being able to distinguish between those who are not in a position to pay and...

Leaders' Questions (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government parties have in their revised programme indicated that they want to enhance protections for mortgage holders who have a genuine problem. Nobody in the House is at variance on the need to maximise protection in this regard. We need to do so in a way that meets the objectives of what the House is seeking which, at the same time, does not use a mechanism that can have an adverse...

Departmental Staff. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. I am advised by the Attorney General that currently the sanctioned complement of permanent staff in the Office of the Attorney General is 133. There are 117 staff members serving and 16 vacancies. The office also currently has 13 contract staff. The breakdown among the various parts of the office is as follows: the advisory side of the...

Departmental Staff. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I refer to the tenure and duties of contract staff. The office currently engages 13 staff on a contract basis. Three are engaged in the Attorney General's private office and their tenure is directly linked to that of the Attorney General. Two provide clerical support and one is his special assistant. Five are engaged in drafting legislation with their contracts set to expire in April...

Departmental Staff. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The questions relate to the staffing arrangements in the Attorney General's office. I would make the point that Opposition Deputies ask about this Bill or that Bill and if it is put on a B or C list and then removed in the interest of being more accurate, we are asked why-----

Departmental Staff. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----and told to put it back on.

Departmental Staff. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: We need a thread of consistency in that regard. We must streamline the situation but sometimes the argument becomes circular. Regarding the Bills published so far this year, there was a large number of them compared with recent full years. In 2005 there were 28; 42 in 2006; 38 in 2007; 33 in 2008; and to date in 2009 41 have been published. Some long, complex Bills including the NAMA...

Departmental Staff. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I said in my earlier reply that there were four contract drafters but it is important to point out that a recruitment panel has been drawn up. It is the intention over time to replace contract staff with permanent staff. We are constantly trying to build up expertise. We also know that from time to time it is appropriate to seek some assistance in the private sector through legal firms or...

Departmental Staff. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Recruitment panels have been drawn up based on those who indicate an interest. In the broad State-legal apparatus it is possible for personnel from various related activities to do the appropriate tests to determine if they can get on those panels. I am sure there have been occasions when the people working in the Chief State Solicitor's office transferred to the Attorney General's office....

EU Summits. (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 13, inclusive, together. I have received a draft annotated agenda for the European Council in Brussels on 29 and 30 October. Discussions at the Council will focus on institutional issues, climate change, the economic situation, macro-regional strategies, illegal immigration and external relations. I will also take the opportunity to brief my colleagues...