Results 5,641-5,660 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The details of that severance package were arranged on that basis, and it was in the interests of the organisation that this change take place.

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It was in the interests of the organisation that this change take place, and take place quickly. I can understand people looking at this situation from the outside and making some effort to suggest we were doing something other than what was going to happen if the contract was terminated. That is what had to be done. We had to take that into consideration and move the situation forward...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is greatly to be regretted that the issue was brought to the House in this way. I have said to the Deputy that I believe that the appropriate forum for a discussion to take place is the meeting tomorrow of the commission that is charged with responsibility for the running of the Houses and the privileges and various arrangements of the Members in this House. The Ceann Comhairle has...

Leaders' Questions (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I was very much of the view that the Ceann Comhairle be given an opportunity to put his proposals and his views to the commission which is meeting tomorrow. I felt that that would be in keeping and consonant with the independence of his office and that he should be afforded an opportunity to do so.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Order of Business is as follows: No. 12, motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 13, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the convention on the European Forest Institute, back from committee; No. 21, the National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009, Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos....

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have made it clear in previous interventions today that as far as I am concerned that it is in the interests of this House, the parties in government and the parties opposite that we have a system in place that has public confidence in all respects. I have always believed that should happen in respect of the issues Deputy Ó Caoláin has raised. As far as I am concerned that can and...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Committee Stage of the legislation will be taken in the normal way and will be dealt with efficiently. On the second question raised by the Deputy, that is a matter for the Government to decide upon. A Commission cannot be formed until a High Representative is appointed by the European Council because the High Representative will be a vice-chairperson of the Commission. The President of...

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand from the past position that the choice of commissionership is dealt with by the Government and is done on the nomination of the Government. If the Deputy wishes us to consider names, we will do so. On the date for the budget, it will be in December. We are having a discussion on a budgetary strategy beginning tomorrow. We will deal with those matters then and give an exact date.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Bill is for this session. I cannot give more detail than that.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The resolution to which the Deputy refers is consequent to the decision of the people on Friday last and will be taken without debate on Thursday morning. There are no plans at the moment in regard to the by-election writ being moved.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: Perhaps it could be taken up directly with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I do not have prior knowledge of the details.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would also be involved in respect of the insolvency fund.

Order of Business (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of any promised legislation. Perhaps the Deputy will table a question to the Minister for Finance.

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet has been meeting every week.

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet meets every week, sometimes more than once a week and, from time to time, twice a week, depending on the workload or requirements. All of these matters are discussed at Cabinet. Cabinet committees can meet in smaller format and their purpose is to provide assistance on specific issues that arise or specific areas of policy that require co-ordination or further discussion. That...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have asked the relevant officials to support the idea of close co-operation between the Oireachtas joint committee and the expert panel on climate change and energy security. I have written to the Chairman of the joint committee to suggest that the best means of achieving such co-operation is to engage in discussions with the relevant officials. We await the outcome of that process. The...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that the Government will have to consider many legislative commitments between now and then. Obviously, there is a view that the climate change Bill can be worked on. At the moment, the real issue is whether the Copenhagen summit will be a success. There are many major policy issues and further discussions will take place to try to ensure that states such as the US...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The role of the committee is of course to assist the economy back to recovery in whatever way we can. With respect to Deputy Ó Caoláin, that cannot be done in a void. It must be done on the basis of a stable financial system both domestically and internationally. The purpose is not to bail out banks but to ensure we have a system which is geared to bring about the recovery that everyone...

Cabinet Committees. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government, since June, has provided an employment subsidy scheme to help those export-oriented industries in the SME sector that need our assistance and support, and that is being been taken up in broad measure. There is a commitment given by Government over the two fiscal years to meet that commitment up to the tune of €250 million. That is a significant commitment in terms of that...

Data Protection. (6 Oct 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. Although sensitive information belonging to members of the public is not generally collected by or stored in the Department's electronic systems, specific measures are in place in my Department to protect all data held electronically. Access to personal information held on databases within my Department is controlled by application...