Results 7,081-7,100 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (1 Apr 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is a continuing evaluation taking place and discussions are ongoing in regard to that matter. That is not the done deal Deputy Stagg would suggest it is, much as I wish it were, but we are working to see if there is a viable way forward.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As stated below, two limited companies have agreements for the provision of full-time services to my Department or to the bodies under its aegis. One limited company is currently contracted to provide a full-time, on-site technical resource to my Department to assist in the operation and maintenance of my Department's IT and PC Network. The Central Statistics Office (CSO) has an agreement...

Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The information sought by the Deputy is set out below. It is my intention to attend the EU-US Summit which will be held on 5 April in Prague where EU leaders will meet with US President Barack Obama. The summit will address issues of global financial architecture and consequences of the financial crisis, energy and climate change and broader foreign policy topics. I have also received an...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The talks will proceed and their length will depend on the progress that can be made on the issues that arise. On the levy, there is a subjective perspective — people see it in a certain way. The wider context in which the pension levy had to be considered was the need for a €2 billion adjustment to be made as a credible response to the fiscal situation at that time. This was agreed...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: While the Chief Whip welcomed Fine Gael's proposals, they will have to be examined in detail. I do not wish to throw cold water on the initiative the Deputy took on behalf of his party but we would not necessarily agree with the approach. We are in an advanced stage of the budgetary process and it needs to be finalised over the next several days. These matters put in the public realm by...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am trying to explain the situation. Deputy McCormack opposed the levy by not voting for it. Now he is wondering if I will take it back. In his next breath he is telling me not to borrow any more and to save more money. He cannot have it every way. If he wants to play games, he can play games; he is good at it. It is about the only contribution he makes anyway. What I have to do in...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Let me make it clear; we made a decision to impose——

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry but I was just about to respond to two questions.

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I wish to make it clear that we introduced a pension levy, with which the unions could not agree and so disengaged from the talks process. Re-engagement has only commenced. It was agreed at the time that we needed to raise €2 billion, €1.4 billion of which was from a pension levy.

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I know that, but Deputy Ó Caoláin has suggested that I should defer its implementation. That seems to suggest to me that he has not yet grasped the seriousness of the position in regard to the public finances or the fact we are not in a position to defer its implementation. It is being implemented. If any proposal comes up for discussion, I will look at it and act in good faith with...

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance and his Department have not yet had an opportunity to inform the Government of that cost. However, I note the announcement by the rating agency Standard & Poors that it is revising its rating of Ireland from AAA to AA+. In considering this, one also should bear in mind the following key points. Ireland is not unique in this regard as a number of other countries...

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have no comment on the gentleman from the credit rating agency other than to note that his job concerns credit rating. I do not know what he knows about Irish politics or what the choices are.

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The important point is that the Government has reacted in the face of a deteriorating financial situation——

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——last July, in the October budget and in February. Very little support was available from all sides of the House. We continue to do this and will do so again next week. There is broad agreement in respect of economic discussions that have taken place and a recognition that a structural deficit of the order of 8% has emerged in the public finance position. Over the next five years we...

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Budgets are prepared and deliberated upon but they are announced on budget day, not the week beforehand. I did not mention any figures when I spoke last Sunday.

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I did not mention any figures. I was simply trying to convey to the correspondents who attended the briefing the scale of the issues we were dealing with and conveying those to the public in a way that was not technical. It was about saying we have seen a gap arise in the public finance position which means our spend and taxation levels vary between 2009, 2003 and 2004 levels. That is a...

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Commissioner is in the business of acting on credit rating agencies with regard to conflicts of interest or anything that arises in the work they do and the forecasts they make.

Leaders' Questions (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is incorrect to say that Commissioner McCreevy is indifferent to the role they play. I am sure the opinions are given in a professional manner but I know that the credit rating agency issue has been taken up by the Commissioner. I suggest that member states, the Council and ECOFIN must step up to the plate in this matter in as much as there is a role played by the Commissioner or the...

Order of Business (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 15, Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 15, Broadcasting Bill 2008 — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages. Private Members' business shall be No. 52, motion re social welfare — consumer debt.

Order of Business (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform indicates that the amendments relating to the Defamation Bill are at an advanced stage of preparation. He is hopeful that they can be brought before the Government, approved, published and inserted into the legislation, which can then be enacted, before the end of the summer session. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and...