Results 6,841-6,860 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a smart-ass comment.

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: We do not have a date for the publication of the Bill but we should have the heads of the Bill in May.

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I join with everybody in the House in deeply regretting the fact that unofficial action took place, which meant major inconvenience for many loyal commuters of Bus Átha Cliath during the past couple of days. It is very much regretted that this was the case. It is not fair on commuters or on the bus drivers who want to get back to work. Everybody agrees that early implementation of Dublin...

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to say we should not have unofficial action, but it is also important not to characterise all trade union activity on the basis that there was unofficial action. The unofficial action is atypical of the reaction of organised workers to such issues. Unofficial action should be avoided at all costs and in all circumstances. There is competition on commercial routes. It is...

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I reject those criticisms of the Tánaiste. I believe she has been hardworking, as any Minister concerned with employment in the present circumstances must be, having to contend with the most severe international recession this country has seen or any Minister in her position in any other Government has seen. On all occasions, and even as we speak today, she is working with Irish...

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not muted or half-hearted. It is measured, calm and proportionate.

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: My response is measured, calm and proportionate. I have given full support to my Tánaiste, as I would to every member of this Government in respect of the work they do-----

Leaders' Questions (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----because we are all collectively responsible for decisions. I have not been equivocal in any way in my rejection of the criticisms by Deputy McGuinness in respect of how he views the Tánaiste is doing her job. I refrained from engaging in any further criticism because I do not believe it is of any help or use to anybody. I believe I did a job that had to be done with regard to my...

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 9, Social Welfare Bill 2009 - with financial resolutions Nos. 1 and 2 to be moved together and decided without debate by one question which shall be put from the Chair; No. 10, Social Welfare Bill 2009 - motion to instruct the committee, the proceedings on which, if not previously concluded, to be brought to a conclusion after 65 minutes and the following...

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Workers are being affected by the winding down of pensions and pensions rights in insolvent companies. It is to try to assist workers in that circumstance, which could be happening as we speak, that this legislation has been brought forward. It has not been cobbled together over a weekend - in fact, it has been worked on for some time. We hoped to have it at the time of the publication of...

Order of Business (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: -----rather than to their disadvantage.

Public Service Reform. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The e-government potential is outlined in the report, as has been said. A team has been set up for the purpose of transforming public services under this report. All the agencies and Departments are to submit their e-government plans by the end of June, at which stage we can proceed. I refer to the question of redeployment across the public service, flexibility and moving between...

Public Service Reform. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The establishment of the programme office was one of the central recommendations of the task force. As I said in my initial reply, I have reassigned seven officials from the public service modernisation division of my Department to the programme office. They will be supplemented by four officials, three of whom are already in place, who are to be seconded from each of the four main sectors...

Public Service Reform. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: As regards the Deputy's final point, as I said in my first reply, it is expected that the group will report to the Minister for Finance by the end of June. It has already spoken to about 14 or 15 Departments, so that is on track. As regards the Deputy's first question, the report Transforming Public Services referred to the question of redeployment and being able to get flexibility across...

Public Service Reform. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the question of how to reorganise government and how agencies or offices can be rationalised for the future, it is a matter and process which was set out in the budget in October by the Minister for Finance, Deputy Lenihan and one which is an ongoing priority for individual Ministers according to the list outlined. On the question of procurement, a national operations unit has been...

Commemorative Events. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. An amount of €170,000 has been allocated under subhead E of my Department's Estimates this year to support commemorative projects. This funding is available to assist individuals or groups in organising the commemoration of individuals or events of historic importance. To date, funding has been committed towards the cost of the...

Commemorative Events. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: Some of these questions are beyond the ambit of the original question about commemorative events and whether there are proposals for such events this year. I cannot speak on any individual initiatives or events proposed for this year which may or may not be funded. Applications for funding under the commemoration initiatives fund are made to my Department. A number of issues are taken into...

Commemorative Events. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: I agree that we have to prepare well in advance for the 1916 centenary commemorations and we will do that. In January 2007 the then Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Roche, placed a preservation order on No. 16 Moore Street under the National Monuments Act 1930, as amended by the 2004 Act because the preservation of No. 16 is considered a matter of national...

Commemorative Events. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: These matters can be examined. I am not aware of any application from SIPTU on the ITGWU centenary celebrations this year so I cannot comment on the Department's likely response. It is a matter of importance in terms of labour affairs and the history of the country but I am not aware of whether there is an application in under that fund for such a purpose. We will see if there is any...

Commemorative Events. (28 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: The previous Deputy referred to a consultative group within the House, if I am correct. According to a member of the committee it appears that group has met only once. I can ask the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, who is chairman of that group, what is the up to date position.