Results 7,121-7,140 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Departmental Staff. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Ní chóir go mbeadh straitéis ann. Nuair a chuireann daoine glaoch ar an oifig, tá oifigigh ann chun an eolas atá á lorg a chur ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. Tá sé ar fáil i nGaeilge.

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 9, inclusive, together. In January, the Government and social partners agreed on a framework for a pact for stabilisation, social solidarity and economic renewal. That framework acknowledged that urgent and radical action was required to restore stability to the public finances; maximise short-term economic activity and employment; and improve...

Social Partnership. (31 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: In welcoming contributions to a process of discussion, one does not, by that token, provide prior agreement. There are a number of principles contained in the framework that are central to trying to devise a way forward. One of these principles is that which relates to stabilising the public finances. An issue that has arisen is the ongoing question of how to deal with this matter. In the...

Written Answers — Immigrant Support Services: Immigrant Support Services (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I discussed the undocumented and immigration reform with President Obama and I believe that this is an issue that the new administration would like to see addressed. I also met with the Friends of Ireland group led by Congressman Richie Neal and also with Senators Patrrick Leahy and Chris Dodd and discussed the issue with them. Pending agreement in the United States on comprehensive...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: However, the idea that my job is to enable others to write the budget is not the position. What we want to see is people putting out what they believe is the way forward. They should put their proposals on the table, just as we will on 7 April. They can either do so beforehand or afterwards. That is the position and any suggestion to the contrary that we are trying to engage in any other...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together. I attended an informal meeting of EU Heads of State and Government in Brussels on Sunday, 1 March. The meeting was called by the Czech Presidency in response to the international financial and economic crisis. The meeting was useful on a number of fronts. While there were no formal conclusions, there was broad agreement that...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am informed that Prime Minister Topalanek's government narrowly lost the vote of confidence in the Czech Parliament yesterday and while this is highly undesirable from the point of view of the Union because the Czech Republic holds the rotating Presidency and we need to have stability in these times, it is not unprecedented. It is for the Czech Republic's democratic process to resolve the...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government is appreciative of the all-party committee's work on this matter prior to the December Council meeting. It made recommendations on what can be done nationally as well as what has to be done in terms of assurances and allaying of concerns that specifically are best dealt with through the process of protocols when these are ultimately obtained in respect of certain issues....

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Discussions are taking place with legal services and our people on the texts. Discussions are ongoing and that is part of the process. As soon as it becomes clear that a meeting of minds has been arrived at which meets requirements and has been gauged to have the necessary support, we can talk to the Opposition about what the situation then is, based on texts which we will know have passed...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I believe that summit will involve picking up on the G20 meeting that is to take place on 2 April. There will be an opportunity, too, for EU heads of government to meet the President of the United States, and to take whatever further steps will be envisaged as a result of the G20 meeting, discussions for which were discussed at the last Council meeting.

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the first matter, when there is sufficient progress to report, the House will be informed of these issues. As I said, we are not in a position to report sufficient progress at this point but when sufficient progress has been made, when we know where were are going and understand there will be support for what the texts state at that point, we will be in a position to have a...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: On the comment on common foreign and security policy at EU level, that is a decision to be taken by the General Affairs and External Relations Council and, indeed, the European Council should it come up for discussion at that level. We have made our position clear. It is well known and appreciated by those who are interested in this area. We have had a consistent view on this matter. I do...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the last suggestion by the Deputy, that is a matter for Members to decide. There are strongly held views on this matter. It is important, from a Government point of view, that in saying we are even-handed we are not ambiguous about the need to stand up for what is right, fair and just in all the circumstances. It is an issue which has not been amenable to solution, despite the...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Not at heads of Government level, but whatever conclusions refer to foreign policy matters would have been discussed at the Foreign Ministers' meetings.

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the first matter, such matters are dealt with by the Department of Foreign Affairs' legal department, acting on advice from the Attorney General's office in the normal way. There is not sufficient progress to report to the Deputy. Until such time as there is sufficient progress, we are not in a position to discuss it with him. We will discuss it with him when we see what is...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: We will ensure our position is consistent with our common foreign and security policy in these areas.

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Nobody is getting short shrift. If the Deputy wants to keep his little niggle going with the Green Party, that is his business. I have outlined the overall position. In regard to the second question, it is a matter for the committees of this House to invite who they wish to their meetings and to issue whatever reports they wish. In the context of discussions on the Middle East, which is an...

European Council Meetings. (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have the conclusion before me but my recollection is that the matter has been dealt with as I have indicated and that there will be a report to the European Council meeting, as well as to the meeting with the United States President, Mr. Obama, that is due to take place.

Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 12, pre-budget statements (resumed); and No. 1, Industrial Development Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Second Stage. Private Members' business shall be No. 49, motion re Oireachtas reform (resumed), to conclude at 8.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Order of Business (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding the prospect of a constitutional referendum on children's rights, it has been our long-standing position to see whether a consensus can be arrived at through the deliberations of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children. I understand discussions are ongoing and that a consensus has not yet emerged. The Minister of State with responsibility for Children,...