Results 6,221-6,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Relations Contracts. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: Not to my knowledge. Regarding the criteria used by the Secretary General to the Government in considering consultancies, he is concerned that not even the perception of impropriety can arise. Within that broad principle there is full flexibility to have regard to any relevant considerations. I am not aware of any of the cases to which Deputy Gilmore refers.

Proposed Legislation. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. The Statute Law Revision Bill was published on 29 May 2009. This Bill is the only item of legislation relevant to my Department on the A list of the Government legislation programme for this session. It is hoped the Bill will be debated in the House in the autumn session.

Proposed Legislation. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I commend Deputy Gilmore for his sense of fascination.

Proposed Legislation. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy's definition is far wider than mine. It is important to point out that while this is the only Bill within my Department's remit, the wider issue concerning the Bills on the Order Paper and the A and B lists are dealt with on an ongoing daily basis, as the Deputy would be aware, with monotonous regularity on the Order of Business. I can only deal with the Bill before me, which is...

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, together. The total amount spent on the McEntee commission of investigation was €2,632,702. All costs with regard to the commission of investigation have been discharged.

Dublin-Monaghan Bombings. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I stated in earlier replies that the motion was noted but there has not been any formal response to date.

National Forum on Europe. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 to 15, inclusive, together. The decision to close the National Forum on Europe has been taken against the backdrop of the current budgetary position in which the Government finds itself, and the necessity to review all areas of expenditure. Since its establishment in 2001, the forum has provided a platform for debate and discussion on Europe in Ireland....

National Forum on Europe. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in my reply, I commend those who worked in the forum, its chairmen, all who served it and those who regularly attended it. However, while the forum had many good sessions since the first Nice referendum, from which the Government's initiative for the forum arose, its impact on public awareness of the intricacies and detail of how the Union works was no greater perhaps to any...

National Forum on Europe. (16 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: Recently, the aforementioned Oireachtas sub-committee worked very well for the specific purpose for which it was set up. It had a focus and a timeline, as well as being a well-chaired and well-worked committee. All its members are to be commended on the commitment they showed while on the sub-committee and on their ability to do a specific job, which was well done. It was good to see those...

Local Government (Rates) (Amendment) Bill 2009: First Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: No.

Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (Reviews of Commercial Rents) Bill 2009: First Stage (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: No.

Ryan Report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse: Motion (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I move: That Dáil Éireann: - accepts the conclusions of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse and in particular the failure of the State and the religious congregations running the institutions to protect the children who were placed in these institutions from abuse; - acknowledges the pain and suffering endured by the former residents of institutions and that the...

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a9, motion re Ryan report on the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 4.45 p.m. tonight and business shall be interrupted not later than 7 p.m.; the sitting shall be suspended from 1.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. today; the proceedings on No. a9 shall, if not previously...

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank all Members for ensuring an agreed motion and it is appropriate that this is the case. It follows on the unanimous motion agreed in the House a couple of weeks ago. As has been stated by the Government in its statement in the aftermath of a formal Government meeting, the question of an implementation plan being brought to Government in respect of the Ryan report recommendations is...

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the first matter, the committee on legislation will meet today and I expect we should be ready to publish that Bill in a matter of weeks. Second, concerning the Bill now before the Seanad the Government has brought forward its proposals. It will listen to the ongoing debate and see if it is possible to consider any further Government or Opposition amendments in this area.

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding that matter, the Presidency is proceeding with bilateral meetings during the course of the day. It is its business to proceed with this and make progress in this area. There has been a great deal of contact and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, is working on the matter. We intend that the political understandings reached in December will form the basis of the...

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for the legislation sought by the Deputy. The other matters are for consideration in the future.

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not correct to characterise the ongoing discussions as the Deputy as done. The normal, intensive discussions that take place before a Council meeting are proceeding and the Presidency, with which we have been in constant touch, is handling the issues. It is for the Presidency to decide on the nature of how discussions proceed. Our Minister for Foreign Affairs has been in intensive...

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Child Care Bill is due this session and Second Stage debate will take place on it.

Order of Business (11 Jun 2009)

Brian Cowen: The second piece of legislation mentioned concerns consolidation and work is being done on this currently, but there is no date for it. Two Departments, the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Health and Children, are working on the first piece of legislation mentioned and giving priority to that given recent events.