Results 6,461-6,480 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I raised the tax deferral issue with President Obama when I met him on Saint Patrick's Day. At that time, the President confirmed that this was an issue not to be resolved overnight. He was mindful of the possible impact on Ireland, but he would act with caution and would be ready to discuss any potential unintended consequences. The Tánaiste also met with senior members of the US...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Corporate America will be making its views known and setting out how it sees the proposal developing and evolving in terms of its meeting policy objectives. While we must respect the right of any government to set out a taxation policy we will need to use the good relationship we enjoy with the US Administration and Congress to ensure all aspects, or any unintended adverse impacts of the tax...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have no problem in principle with keeping Opposition leaders informed of any developments that are noteworthy in terms of movement of the original proposition. I take Deputy Gilmore's point that it is important, for example, that the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland and other business groups are able to convey to their counterparts in the United States that there is a strong united...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The conference which it is intended to hold in September is a type of global economic forum bringing together people of influence and expertise from the diaspora, not alone from the US but worldwide to discuss developments in the economy over the next ten years. It will also consider where Ireland fits into that scenario and how it can develop a strategic view of its own policy framework in...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: If one considers other diasporas, including those from Israel, India and others, it is clear that we have used our diaspora in the United States and in the UK for the purpose of helping to consolidate the peace process, which was a priority and a precondition for establishing some stability and being able to engage the diaspora. One of the great outcomes of the peace process is that we now...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: As things stand there are no indications that there is about to be a major outflow of American companies from the country. There are issues that will now need to be addressed and on which we will need to work. No kind of exodus is about to begin. Thankfully we have seen second and third stage investments here in higher end manufacturing and in research and development, which will deepen...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, they have not. There is no one.

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are not people lining up to leave Ireland. I have said the opposite. There are people who have been in Ireland and who are investing in Ireland and continue to invest in Ireland. There has been an increase in the first quarter of this year compared with last year, despite the difficulty of the country's economy contracting by 8% this year. The level of foreign direct investment in...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I assure the Deputy that there is no competition or problem. The more delegations that come, both North and South, the more we welcome them. If we get 20 of them in the same month, all the better as far I am concerned. I am aware of the Irish Technology Leadership Group and have met its representatives who are doing very good work. They have made a commitment to also working on the...

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am coming to that.

Ireland-America Economic Advisory Board. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: US businesses form the biggest component of these investments. More than 450 US companies operate in Ireland and they have invested over $55 billion in this country. In regard to competitiveness issues, significant adjustments are clearly being made to labour cost competitiveness in the context of this downturn. The European Commission and others have commented on the flexibility displayed...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 to 6, inclusive, together. My advisers are Joe Lennon, programme manager; Gerry Steadman, special adviser; Brian Murphy, special adviser; Declan Ryan, special adviser; Peter Clinch, special adviser; and Oliver O'Connor, special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children. The programme manager at my Department is the principal special adviser appointed...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The figure of €6.2 million, if it is correct, is approximately 0.002% of the Government's total expenditure of more than €65 billion. The system of special advisers was first introduced in 1992 and has been maintained by every Government since then.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are working within the legislative and strategic framework set out in the Public Service Management Act 1997. I refer to the question about Mr. Oliver O'Connor, the special adviser to the Minister for Health and Children, coming under my guise. I believe that, because it is such an important Department which is undergoing major reforms, there is plenty of work to be done by him on behalf...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The contracts relating to advisers terminate on the termination of office of the holder of the office.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, not as soon as the Deputy thinks and, perhaps, far too prolonged for his career to be able to withstand it.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: He has been right so far.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We all live in hope. With regard to the second matter, I am not aware if there have been applications to terminate appointments or to seek a contract renewal. I do not think there has been. On the third question, there has been a 10% saving. I replied to this question on another occasion and we have brought in efficiencies to the tune of 13%.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, special advisers do not have specific responsibilities in those areas. Those responsibilities are taken up by established civil servants.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The advisers employed are doing their work capably and well and they enjoy the confidence of those for whom they work. If they did not, they would not be in the employment they hold. They cannot be held responsible for the international financial crisis and every other issue that has happened, no more than a poor Opposition can.