Results 6,341-6,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 9, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputies concerning appointments made by me to State boards and agencies under the aegis of my Department since May 2007 is set out in the following schedule which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. The agencies in question are the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, the National...

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not acquainted with the Bill to which the Deputy referred.

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank the Deputy and I look forward to receiving it. People are appointed to State boards on the basis of the competencies and knowledge they can bring to the work. These are non-executive appointments. We need good people for public service. We should base our views of their work, in whatever role they are asked to take up, objectively on the basis of their performance. As the Deputy...

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will outline the current gender breakdown of all the bodies under the aegis of my Department, distinguishing between direct appointees and nominations. As for the National Statistics Board, there are five male and one female direct appointees, as well as one male and one female nominee. The Law Reform Commission is formed by nomination and there are two male and three female nominees. On...

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In my Department?

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Personally, I invite anyone who feels he or she has something to offer by appointment to a board to contact my office at any time.

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Such people should write to me, let me know and send me their curricula vitae.

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Exactly. It genuinely is important that the Government should know who is available and, by definition, one must search to find people. Some organisations have indicated their preferences through directories and others have sent lists of people for consideration. Such people are considered and some are appointed. It is difficult, however, to set out a form of bureaucratic system of...

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will provide this information to the Deputy. Offhand, I am unaware whether former Oireachtas Members are serving on the boards of the aforementioned agencies. I reiterate that former Oireachtas Members can, in certain circumstances, be highly valuable members of boards, depending on the activities in which the boards are engaged.

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Arising from that contribution, I presume the Deputy's view is that he does not want any changes arising from what happened in FÁS.

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The facetiousness emanated from the Deputy's bench.

Appointments to State Boards. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Whatever that is supposed to mean.

Standards in Public Office. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 to 12, inclusive, together. The code of conduct for office holders was drawn up by the Government pursuant to section 10(2) of the Standards in Public Office Act, 2001, following consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission, and was published in July 2003. Deputies will be aware that the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007 provides...

Standards in Public Office. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of any problems of compliance with the code of conduct by any office holders - certainly, none has been brought to my attention. The code of conduct was published in 2003 and the review of the code will be carried out when it becomes available after the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill has been enacted.

Standards in Public Office. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, I have not given any consideration to that matter.

Standards in Public Office. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: What the Deputy refers to is the need for good public administration and that there be good administration practices in Departments, agencies and among Ministers so there is an efficient relaying of information upon request by colleagues in the Oireachtas in respect of any policy or other issues that arise, such as constituency matters. While it is not part of the code of conduct, it is...

Standards in Public Office. (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy brings to my attention certain matters, I will follow them up.

Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 24, Finance Bill 2009 - Order for Report and Report and Final Stages; and No. 25, Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 - Second Stage (resumed). 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 on the conclusion of Private Members' business, which...

Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said yesterday, I presume a substantive motion will be moved when the debate takes place. I thank Deputies for the welcome they have given to the statement that was issued by the Government yesterday. It is clear from what has been said in the House this morning that we agree unanimously that the possibility of a further contribution being made by the congregations - it is possible...

Order of Business (27 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Whips can continue to discuss the matter during the course of the day. They may decide that a motion can be agreed tomorrow morning without debate. Such a motion could note whatever might be agreed between the parties.