Results 6,661-6,680 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the referendum Bill mentioned by Deputy Gilmore in the first instance, that will be prepared in the hope of having it ready before the next referendum. On the question of the legislation referred to by the Minister for Finance, a direct question tabled to the Minister would give the most up to date and accurate response, but it takes its place among a great deal of involved legislation...

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: These are matters that are being worked on as a matter of priority.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: This is a matter that is being worked on as a matter of priority.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Of course, we would like to do that as soon as possible. We have to draft the legislation obviously.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The question of whether it can be brought forward as a stand-alone Bill is something that would be best addressed to the Minister for Health and Children. A date has not yet been fixed for the consideration of the public health (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. I understand the public consultation process on the preparation of that legislation has just concluded but I do not have a date for...

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the legislation, I am informed by the Chief Whip that, unfortunately, we do not have a date for the legal costs Bill. We will have to consider how soon it can be brought forward. A good deal of legislation has had to be enacted in view of the economic and financial crisis which means that some Bills are not making the progress that would otherwise be the case.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Employment Law Compliance Bill is before the House and it is hoped the other two Bills will be published before the summer recess. On the basis of a successful outcome, it is hoped to hold discussions on the December Council meeting. In the event it is taken at the June Council meeting and on the basis of decisions we would hope to see taking place there, that will enable us to consider...

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: This is a matter best dealt with by the Chief Whip who is running that process.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand the road traffic Bill is at an advanced stage.

Order of Business (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot say at the moment but it is at an advanced stage.

Departmental Expenditure. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Questions about specific areas of specific Departments should be addressed to specific Ministers. At the end of April this year the number of whole-time equivalent staff serving in my Department was 2,009. We will endeavour to redeploy staff according to key business needs and activity levels; to restructure work loads as appropriate; and achieve greater productivity through exploiting new...

Ministerial Responsibilities. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 5, inclusive, together. On 22 April 2009 the Government appointed Deputy Pat Carey as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Defence, and Deputy Dick Roche as Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European affairs. As Chief Whip, Deputy Pat...

Ministerial Responsibilities. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I hope the very low opinion Deputy Burton has of Ministers of State does not reflect her own experience when she was one. I would hate to think-----

Ministerial Responsibilities. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I would hate to think she had such a bad experience and that she was relegated merely to speaking at germane debates and felt excluded from the general workings of Government. It would be a great pity if that were the case. I hope it is not a reflection on her personal experience. In the general workload of Government, the work of Ministers of State is substantive, namely, to be supportive...

Ministerial Responsibilities. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The whole idea of Question Time is to get accurate information. There is no better man to give accurate information on integration policy than the former Minister of State who has held that responsibility for a couple of years. Out of the 15 Ministers of State appointed, six have a primary responsibility in respect of a substantial area of the work of key Departments, and will have...

Ministerial Responsibilities. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with Deputy Ó Caoláin. There is no question of downgrading the importance of dealing with the drugs issue. The Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Curran, continues to have that responsibility and has shown a strong commitment to the area and knowledge of it. He is trying to ensure that money gets to those who require...

Departmental Expenditure. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. As a result of the supplementary budget on 7 April, my Department's 2009 estimate has been reduced by €3.583 million over the Estimate published last October. The reductions have been identified across several of the Department's administrative and programme subheads. My Department's revised estimate for 2009 is €32.686 million which is...

Departmental Expenditure. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the supplementary questions arising from the question on the Estimates, it is important to point out that there has been a reduction of 22%. It is not true to say there has been an increase in PR or consultancy spending. That is not correct. In fact, consultancy provision in the Department's Vote in 2008, under subhead A7, was €275,000, and this has been reduced to...

Departmental Expenditure. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Those are not matters covered by the general question on Estimates here.

Departmental Expenditure. (12 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The only point I would make is that I have answered a question on the tribunal and issues arising in recent weeks so I refer the Deputy to that detailed response to the questions asked then. As regards the report of the Moriarty tribunal, it is a matter for the chairman of the tribunal to decide how he wishes to proceed. He has used a different method from other tribunals in trying to avoid...