Results 6,721-6,740 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is not true. The contention we have collapsed talks is totally untrue. I value the social partnership process and I believe it is an essential aspect of governance in a modern democratic society, especially in a small open economy like ours where consistency of approach is helpful for economic and social well-being. It is true we have as yet failed to arrive at a basis for a formal...

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The public sector pay agreement?

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Of course we are implementing it.

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes, we deferred it.

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is a problem with the private sector pay agreement.

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a problem.

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore has unfairly characterised the talks that have been taking place in recent weeks and months. That is my answer to his question. He is suggesting it is all process and no substance. It has substance. We are working to a ten-year framework agreement. Much of the effort we have made on the budgetary position arises from the framework agreement, which has content, and getting...

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Social dialogue is important at all times, regardless of the status of discussions and whether there are agreements. Institutions are in place such as the National Implementation Body in industrial relations terms, the National Economic and Social Council in terms of common macroeconomic analysis and the steering committee for the Towards 2016 agreement. All of those bodies are important...

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: We are not suggesting that there be a different type of social partnership. We are trying to provide agreement on the issues of concern that have been raised by the social partners. In the event of it being impossible to find an agreement, we still need structures of social dialogue in place. There are structures that will continue to be utilised with or without an agreement. We have a...

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not in the position to ditch a pension levy that brings in the sort of money it does, given the importance of the changes we have made in the budget. We are not in a position to say that was required in January and not in March. There would be no credibility to that position. I have also said of course that an argument can be made for its introduction. While I recognise it is an...

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: There has been no advance on the position as announced in the budget by the Minister for Finance, namely, that this area is being examined in the context of social welfare and by the Commission on Taxation. Anyone who is sincerely committed to social justice will accept that at a time of scarce resources, the need to target benefits at those most in need is a good principle upon which to try...

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: In relation to the first matter, the issue of pay is being discussed by employers, employees and congress in the context of the current discussions. I cannot anticipate whether agreement in that area will be reached. Obviously, the discussions are ongoing. On the Deputy's other question, I refer him to the Department of Finance circular which outlines the position on these matters....

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I cannot give any such assurance when the Government has made no such decision to tax the lump sum.

Social Partnership. (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is seeking to suggest the decision has been made to tax lump sums in the future. No such decision has been made whatsoever. If I may paraphrase the Minister - I do not have the speech in front of me - my recollection is his statement states that it was considered, it was a matter with which he was not proceeding and would revisit again in December in his next budget. As I recall...

Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 11, motion regarding a referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of An Bord Bia (Transfer of Functions of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara relating to Fish Marketing) Order 2009; No. 12, motion regarding a referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) 2006; and...

Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter, I understand the writs would need to be moved between 8 May and 14 May. It will be a matter for the Whips in due course to agree how that can proceed, but that is the timeframe. On the second matter, I also welcome that the Senate in the Czech Republic has voted positively in favour of the Lisbon treaty. I cannot give any date, unfortunately, for when a referendum will...

Order of Business (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Whip that it will be a matter for those who are dealing with the Committee Stage to ascertain how long it will take for that consideration to be completed and come back to the House for Report Stage.

Leaders' Questions (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Kenny for wishing me well on my first anniversary.

Leaders' Questions (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: Get your retaliation in first.

Leaders' Questions (6 May 2009)

Brian Cowen: From the Government's point of view, the task we have had to undertake, in the context of the economic situation our country and others face, has meant we have had to involve ourselves in expenditure cuts totalling over €4.3 billion. That is 3% of GNP, a reduction greater than that taken by any other country in Europe. We have also had to increase taxes, a measure totalling €3.8...