Results 6,481-6,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The health matters of Government have to be communicated to the public and dealt with in the normal way. The Department of Health and Children has its requirements in that regard as well and the person concerned does an excellent job. He is highly respected by the profession with whom he deals. As I said in regard to Mr. O'Connor, health is a huge issue for the Government and future...

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: This has nothing to do with that.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Some work for the Minister of Health and Children in that capacity. It is an onerous position.

Departmental Staff. (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: An adviser attached to my Department also advises me on health matters.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a9, Finance Bill 2009 - Financial Resolutions; No. b9, Finance Bill 2009 - Allocation of Time Motion for Select Committee; No. 3, Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage; No. 21, Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad] - Report and Final Stages (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders,...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I can deal only with the matters before us. If there are other matters for debate they should be raised with the Minister and obviously the next stage of the Bill would be the appropriate time to do that. As regards the specific question from the Leader of the Opposition, there is no section of the Finance Bill, as published, relating to VAT. Three ministerial amendments relating to one...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I must check my own records.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is awaiting Committee Stage.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The UN convention to which Deputy Higgins referred was signed by Ireland at a conference in Mexico in 2003. In consultation with the Attorney General's office and other Departments, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has examined the convention and identified what legislation in the criminal law area is required to give effect to its provisions. The Criminal Justice (Mutual...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The report being published today is to be welcomed. It fulfils the Government's intention in setting up the commission that the story of the residents was told. Inevitably, the report will show up failings of the State and others in providing care and protection to these children. The then Taoiseach's apology in 1999 was an admission of failings on the part of the State, and the report now...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I must reply to Deputy Shatter. I listened intently to what he had to say but, unfortunately, he went on to make a political charge that is totally unfounded. What he is seeking to portray as a veil of secrecy is not a veil of secrecy. He tries to conjunct an issue which we all agree was appalling - the vista that will emerge with respect to a bygone time which is, thankfully, no longer...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----if a person was not being given an opportunity to defend them, where a reputation was being adversely affected on the basis of a non-statutory inquiry in which all the people who were asked contributed and participated fully. I do not believe it is right-----

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry, Deputy Shatter, but it is not right to portray it in that way. Legal advice was given. We did not write the report. The report had to be tested against those criteria and it was unfortunate that this level of redaction took place. The Minister, Deputy Mary Harney, and the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, are working on a way to improve that situation without being...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The question of debates on reports, produced by the Mental Health Commission or otherwise, is a matter for the Whips. I do not have an adverse view on these matters if an appropriate occasion can be agreed between the Whips. I do not believe the mental health (amendment) Bill will be available this year. That is my latest information. With regard to a debate on the report that is to be...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The management of multi-unit developments Bill will be published in the next couple of days and the detail will be outlined then. It is very detailed legislation. I understand it will be taken in the Seanad in the first instance.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not sure how fond Deputy Ó Snodaigh is of grass. The Deputy may not have been in the Chamber for the beginning of the Order of Business. To clarify, a prison will be built on the Thornton Hall site. An amended proposal will be brought forward by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and, if necessary, legislation will be introduced in the House and enacted to ensure there...

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the health information Bill are being prepared.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand there is no date for the publication of the other two Bills. If the Deputy is meeting public servants who are complaining about the pension levy, he might remind them that his own party wishes to stop their increments.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not know whether there is any promised legislation on this matter. I will ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to reply to the Deputy.

Order of Business (20 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will have to find out the detail. I will get back to the Deputy.