Results 6,121-6,140 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: Sub-committees deal with various policy issues on an ongoing basis. This Cabinet sub-committee met in February, March, April and May this year. Issues such as Monageer can be dealt with generally at Cabinet meetings.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I always like to be helpful.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: Whether what I have to say is regarded as helpful is a different thing.

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) (23 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is highly unlikely. I have not been able to surprise the Deputy so far. His basic question is whether the sub-committee engages itself in operational matters that come under the statutory authority and remit of the HSE and the answer is "No". However, the sub-committee seeks to ensure in the implementation of policy that the operational responsibility, where it lies, is exercised with...

Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the contention that the Minister of State with responsibility for children let anything slip through his fingers. There are issues which-----

Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: These issues did not slip through his fingers. He is in the process of dealing with another Government to ensure the arrangements to which we all subscribe work effectively, ethically and on an above board basis. That is something which is as important to the parents who are expectant and hopeful that these matters can be resolved quickly as it is to the Irish and Vietnamese people. We...

Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----while being respectful of the need to ensure any concerns that have been raised are dealt with adequately and in a way in which everyone in this House expects them to be dealt with. While we understand the frustration of people in this situation generally, quite apart from the specific issues that have arisen in regard to the international agreement with Vietnam, this matter must be...

Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no proposals to proceed with that aspect of the Act.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: A recent decision in the United Kingdom has implications for our preparation of the secondary legislation in respect of this matter. It is at an advanced stage but I understand it is unlikely to be taken before we rise for the summer.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: The foreshore (amendment) Bill is due later this year. It is on the list, as the Deputy said. I do not know when the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be ratified. I will check that for the Deputy, but a parliamentary question to the relevant Minister would provide him with the exact situation. I will have to check the third issue the Deputy raised....

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no confusion whatever on the Government's part with regard to the establishment of this agency, which is a necessary response to ensure that we have sufficient liquidity in the economy for the supply of credit to businesses both large and small. This is an arduous and complex task and it is being proceeded with as a priority. The question of valuation will be part of that process...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I refute Deputy Kenny's continually irresponsible approach in suggesting that what is being done on behalf of the Irish banking system is some kind of bailout of banks.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: This continuous mantra of a populist message is, of course, something that he feels will give him some sort of political advantage. I do not know, but the real issue here is-----

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: The whole purpose of the Government's action is to ensure there is adequate capital in our banks thus ensuring there is sufficient confidence both domestically and internationally, so that they can get access to the funds that are necessary for them to conduct business and for Irish business to conduct its business, since that is a prerequisite of any modern economy.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: As regards the question of who takes the hit in the first instance, obviously it is the owners of the loans and, indeed, the banks who take the first hit.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: The continual portrayal by Deputy-----

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: The continual portrayal by Deputy Kenny in the past was, of course, that there was no discounting taking place and that the book value of €90 billion was the amount to be mostly undertaken by the banks.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: After the elections, he has a totally different point of view. That concerns the level of discount, which was the point we were making all the time. The ultimate discount depends on asset quality and many other criteria, which will be decided by NAMA in the first instance, and not by anyone outside the House.

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have not had the opportunity to study what Archbishop Martin had to say yesterday, although I recall him speaking on this matter before when dealing with fast developing areas in Dublin, for example. He had much to say about that, which would be broadly welcomed. I had the opportunity to meet with Church of Ireland archbishops this week on church-State dialogue, something with which I am...

Leaders' Questions (17 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I have already stated, I will study the archbishop's speech, but I have not yet had a chance to do so. I already acknowledged in my first reply many of the things that Archbishop Martin has had to say on these issues, and I welcome them. There have been developments in the governance of our school system over time which have seen a much greater degree of parental representation and...