Results 5,821-5,840 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no proposals to decentralise my Department or any of the bodies under its aegis. The Department of Finance has responsibility in Government for the decentralisation programme.

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: On Deputy Higgins's question, there are four ways to return to economic growth. We bring order to our public finances while at the same time improving competitiveness to restore jobs and growth. The fourth thing we must do is restructure our banking system.

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: Has the Deputy got his line in now? It is about the most intelligent thing he will say today.

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: We will leave that alone.

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will respect the other Members of this House who have a point of view that is different from my approach or that of Deputy McCormack.

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are entitled to have a discussion on what they have to say. If we fail to do one or two of the three things I have mentioned, our approach will not work. All three have to be done simultaneously. I would like to speak about the question of borrowing and the extent to which there is room for a stimulus package. The stimulus package being provided by the Government is in excess of the...

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will speak about the stimulus that is being provided. It is not a question of taking a sort of monetarist approach. It is a question of providing a stimulus through the public capital programme, the investment in which is one of the highest in the world. We are continuing to invest in the programme at a specific rate of our total GNP, even at a time when we are very stressed on the...

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the meantime, we have to get on with the business of the country. That is what we should proceed with. I was asked to comment on the most accurate means of measuring the number of people on the live register. The seasonally adjusted figure is the most accurate measurement. That is the situation.

Programmes for Government. (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes, exactly. There is no argument about that.

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 24, Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 - Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; and No. 25, Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Bill 2006 [Seanad] - Order for Report and Report and Final Stages. 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...

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: This Bill has to be enacted as soon as possible for a number of reasons, the most important of which is that the stamp duty and additional age-related tax credits provided for in Parts 3 and 4 of the Bill are to apply from 1 January this year. The Attorney General's office has recommended, having regard to the risk of challenge to the provisions, that early enactment is advisable. Some of...

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the Bill, I understand-----

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: If I may-----

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: I should never refer to a contribution from the Deputy as being "useless", perhaps I should say not useful.

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: Another point as regards procedures for the enactment of the Bill is that I understand Committee Stage took an hour and we have Report Stage until 5 p.m. this evening.

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the NAMA legislation, Deputies will be aware we are working to a schedule in respect of this urgent legislation, which is complex. We hope to bring it forward for publication in July. That is the target set by the Minister for Finance. If necessary we will arrange for its enactment by a recall of the Dáil in, perhaps, September. The Minister is working hard on the matter as is the...

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of publishing legislation at any time is to allow adequate time for people to assimilate, examine it and to prepare for debate of the important issues set out in the legislation.

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said, the drafting of this legislation is proceeding as a matter of urgency and priority. It is important legislation. I was making the point that the Attorney General is ensuring that the legislation being brought forward is robust and will withstand scrutiny. That is normal criteria in respect of the preparation of any legislation and is an important consideration in this case also....

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill were cleared by Government at its meeting on 23 June. Detailed preparation on the legislation will commence later this year.

Order of Business (1 Jul 2009)

Brian Cowen: The financial services regulation Bill is a consolidation Bill. No date has yet been fixed for its publication. The relevant Department is currently dealing with other legislative priorities, including that which we have just discussed. On the second issue, no date has been set for publication of that legislation either.