Results 5,521-5,540 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have outlined to the Deputy that the existing programmes and policies extant under the aegis of Government will, of course, continue. The revised programme sets out some of the priority areas and some of the issues that came up for discussion on which further agreement was required. The whole range of Government activity is not encapsulated in any one programme for Government and that...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is over a three year programme. As the Deputy is aware the question of the detailed implementation of the programme is a matter for the Minister for Education and Science. As a general point, the question of allocation of teachers in any year is based on the intake of the previous September, as the Deputy is aware. The question is to establish in what way we can deal with any specific...

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The objective criteria have to be worked out and the basis on which they will be appointed. I am making the point that over the next three years there will be 500 extra teachers.

Order of Business (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I refer the Deputy to the programme for Government which confirms the situation in respect of fees. The question of registration fees relates to specific areas of expense that must be accommodated. That situation is outlined in the programme.

Written Answers — Census of Population: Census of Population (14 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: As part of the preparatory work for the 2011 census the CSO conducted a public consultation by inviting members of the public and various interest groups to make submissions on the topics to be covered, and on the outputs to be produced. A notice to this effect was published in the national press in September 2008 seeking submissions, and all government departments were contacted for their...

Election of Ceann Comhairle (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Ba mhaith liom an Teachta Séamus Ó Coirc a ainmniú chun bheith ina Cheann Comhairle. I am pleased to nominate Deputy Seamus Kirk for the position of Ceann Comhairle. Deputy Seamus Kirk was first elected to the House in November 1982 and has been returned to Dáil Éireann at every subsequent election by the people of Louth. In almost 27 years as a Member of the House he has garnered...

Election of Ceann Comhairle (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I would like to congratulate you formally on your election as Ceann Comhairle and to assure you of the co-operation of the Government in the performance of your duties in the House and in your capacity as chairman of the Oireachtas commission. You will be an excellent Ceann Comhairle. It is a very proud day for yourself, your family, your many supporters and all of your colleagues, both...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Anyone with a cursory understanding of the current financial situation in the country will understand we have to operate within the budgetary and financial parameters set out by the Minister for Finance in respect of the budgets he has outlined to date and this will continue to be the case. The Deputy refers to what the Governor of the Central Bank had to say today. We must listen to the...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny is being disingenuous as usual. The fact is the tax initiatives contained in the programme are about rebalancing our tax system to keep taxes on labour as low as possible. They require a good deal of preparatory work and will be implemented over the lifetime of the Government. Some initiatives will be undertaken in that timeline too. It is important to point out the removal...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out that advancing the programme for Government commitment requires further detailed consideration over the coming period and a range of important issues must be addressed. No definitive or detailed framework for the implementation of the commitment can be spelled out at this point. The final approach will be the subject of a Government decision on the basis of...

Leaders' Questions (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Detailed work must now be done to work up and design a scheme that would provide for the attainment of this objective over time. The policy consideration must take account of the fact that in the absence of any incentive or disincentive effect in terms of the use, we see a good deal of water wasted and used disproportionately in certain households compared to others. We must find a means to...

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a12, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; and No. 20, National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009 - Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 10.30 p.m.; No. a12 shall be decided without debate; and (3)...

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: As regards the tragedy yesterday evening, at its meeting this morning the Government, through the Minister for Defence, conveyed its sincere sympathy to the bereaved families. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this difficult time. The necessary investigations are being proceeded with and the results will be brought forward in due course. In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy,...

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is on 9 December.

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is not the situation. First, I understand the Minister for Finance has to attend an ECOFIN meeting on 1 and 2 December. As the Deputy will be aware, many important issues are taking place at European level. The following week is the best time to take the budget and it is the right time to take it. Second, the debate in the House will not end before or immediately after Christmas. It...

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The unified Estimates budgetary process is in place.

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Members will have the pre-budget outlook.

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of using arrangements similar to the Finance Bill is to assist debate and to make sure we move well beyond the interpretation sections of the Bill and deal with the substance. The Minister is anxious to facilitate debate within the confines of the need to proceed with the Bill as a matter of great national urgency.

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: By the same token, the Minister wants to facilitate debate. The way to do so is provided by the allocation of time motion, similar to the Finance Bill arrangements. The detailed points can be worked-----

Order of Business (13 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Sometimes that happens and it is a totally avoidable outcome.