Results 5,701-5,720 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: We have to do that and that is the total motivation behind this proposal. There is no other motivation behind that it but that.

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of seeking to mortgage the future of taxpayers. We are seeking to crystallise the losses that have to be transparently shown now in order to ensure that international finance will continue to fund our banking system and return it to a viable future for our country. That is what we are seeking to do. The Bill is again being portrayed as an attempt to mortgage futures....

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----and continued to reduce debt. These are the recorded facts.

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: The people want to know where we are going from here and I am here to say that the initiatives we are bringing forward are seeking to address that problem. Regarding the question of expenditure that was wasted, no Member of the House can stand over wasteful expenditure since it is taxpayers' money. We have seen accountability being exercised through Comptroller and Auditor General reports...

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have said unequivocally on many occasions - maybe not to Deputy Gilmore's satisfaction - that I accept responsibility for every decision I have taken in government and that I did so at the time from the best advice and my best judgment, and that every initiative I took-----

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----was for the purpose of improving the common good in this country. If, as happens every year, a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General, who holds that constitutional position, demonstrates-----

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----that there are instances where taxpayers' money is not used to best effect, of course I have to take responsibility for that. However, it is a situation that is part of the accountability mechanism in this House. No one can stand up here and say with certainty that the €55,000 million that is spent on current programmes in this country is spent exactly as it is sought to be spent from...

Leaders' Questions (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: In every case, on every occasion, we seek to effect the principle of accountability so that if something goes wrong we bring in changes to make sure it does not go wrong again. That has been the constant effort of Government, the constant role of the Committee of Public Accounts and the constant job of every Comptroller and Auditor General since the foundation of the State. I take full...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Order of Business is No. 3, National Asset Management Agency Bill 2009 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. 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 9 p.m.; the proceedings on Second Stage of No. 3 shall be taken today and the following arrangements shall...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: This Bill is being brought forward by the Government as its response to the necessity to ensure that we have financial stability in this country so that we bring forward in a transparent way the means of solving the problems that have been bedevilling the credit system in the banking sector for some time, and that we do so on the basis of a very considered proposal, which is the National...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a considered proposition put forward by the House. As has been said by others, it is a matter for this House in its democratic debate to decide on the merits or otherwise of this legislation. We are very strong supporters and advocates of this legislation. We believe it is essential as part of the response of this country to the challenges we face today. That is the Government's...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said earlier, this is the proposal brought forward and approved by Government. I was simply making the point in my previous contribution - which was neither patronising nor condescending but simply a statement of fact - that we are open to listening to the points made in this debate because of the importance of the legislation for the country. I also made the point in my previous...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: While proposals on this issue are being worked on, as has been stated, it is not possible to present a Bill to the House. Many of the proposals will be much better developed by the end of the year.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: Legislation is not promised on the first issue. In recent times, changes have been introduced on internal and foreign travel, as is proper in the new circumstances in which we find ourselves and given the need to ensure we use taxpayers' money and scarce resources in the best possible way. It is also the case that all such expenses are audited by the Accounting Officers of the respective...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will have to revert to the Deputy on the second matter. On the first matter, the Minister of State visited Vietnam where he dealt directly with his counterpart on the question of foreign adoptions. As we all know, this is an important and sensitive matter and one on which the Minister of State has been seeking to make progress. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, is active in...

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: As regards the first matter, I understand the European Defence Agency Bill has been published and is awaiting Second Stage. I will have to revert to the Deputy on the second matter, when I have spoken to the Minister about what, if any, his intentions in this area might be.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: There has been no Government decision on that matter. It is up to the Minister for Education and Science at any time to bring forward proposals for consideration by the Government. There has been no formal decision by the Government, however.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy was a member of the Cabinet himself and will be aware that time limits are not imposed on Cabinets by anybody. It is a question for the Government to consider at any time any options put forward by Ministers. I am simply making the point that no decisions have been taken in that matter.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: He is a very respected member of the Cabinet and a very good Minister, too.

Order of Business (16 Sep 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for decision by the Whips as to how this is dealt with.