Results 6,561-6,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot indicate at this point, as the heads of the Bill will be only available in June. We will proceed as quickly as possible with it subject to the Attorney General's advices. I hope to have the Bill published before we rise.

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am giving the Deputy an answer to his question.

Order of Business (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The concern must be on the basis that, as Dr. Somers said, it is got right, and that we bring forward legislation that will withstand robust scrutiny and that the process is in play. I have indicated what stage it is at currently and I will continue to keep the Deputy apprised of the issue. On the referendum on the Lisbon treaty, I stated previously in the House that this is a matter we hope...

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand Report Stage of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill will be taken next week.

Order of Business (Resumed) (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have outlined the position as things stand on the legislation we are bringing forward on NAMA.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Department's Estimate in respect of official entertainment for 2007 to end April 2009 is detailed in the table below. Year Budget Allocation 2007 €460,000 2008 €450,000 2000 (end of April) €400,000 A breakdown of the actual spend from 2007 to 2009 is detailed in the table below. Official Entertainment hosted by the Taoiseach, Ministers of State and Senior Officials 2007...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (19 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department's responsibility relates only to the Tribunal of Inquiry into Payments to Politicians and Related Matters (Moriarty Tribunal). This was established in September 1997 on foot of resolutions of the Dáil and Seanad. The cost of its legal team to the Department up to 30 April 2009 was €28.952m. The legal team currently consists of seven people - three Senior Counsel (two at a...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I answered this question yesterday. Until such time as the June Council meeting is finished and we see what is being provided by colleagues at the European Council in respect of the reassurances we sought and it was agreed at the December Council we should get, the question of calling a date for a referendum is premature. The position of the Government is that on the basis of obtaining and...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the normal way, statements were made after every European Council meeting as to what took place. We had that debate in the House and the position was clear. I outlined to the House that political undertakings had been given to the Government and we believed that if they were transposed in the way we sought and agreed by the June Council, we would be prepared to call a referendum. I also...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We obtained commitments last December from member states as to the nature of the reassurances they were in a position to give, short of re-ratifying the treaty themselves. That is the situation. We are now dealing with the wording and drafting to give expression to that so a decision can be made at the June Council in regard to these matters. As the Deputy knows, in the aftermath of the...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In the coming weeks.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The term "an bord bailout" is being used, but what we are trying to do is to assist those who depend on banks and get some stability into system. The matter is being dealt with as a priority in the Department of Finance. Interim arrangements regarding preparation of the work that will be conducted by the NAMA are being undertaken by the Minister. There is also a debate underway in the...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The programme for Government made a commitment providing for a directly elected mayor of Dublin by 2011. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has confirmed that the Government has agreed to proceed with that initiative and to prepare legislation to ensure it can happen on time next year.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, though I hear the Deputy is interested.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I expect this matter to come before the Government in the coming weeks.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The third matter is being examined and I understand the first two matters will come forward this session.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: To make the point again, the recommendations that were redacted were done so on the basis that the manner in which the report was brought forward meant there were legal issues arising with regard to those aspects, as there were with regard to the narrative itself. It is not a question of censoring the report, but a question of having to act on legal advice in terms of what information can be...

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform brings forward such legislative matters on behalf of the Government. In respect of the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, while the Garda Síochána has been successful in arresting and achieving the conviction of gang members, this has not stopped people involved with gangs committing further acts of violence and engaging in intimidation....

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill were cleared in January and we hope to publish the legislation in this session.

Order of Business (13 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill are expected soon but six Bills have been published from the A list since we resumed sitting.