Results 7,161-7,180 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a fact around the world.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is one of the issues that one must take into account. Small, open economies are finding the impact more difficult to handle than other economies. That is also a fact. Economic recovery can be brought about only by a multi-annual approach that indicates the pathway to recovery we can achieve, and that will involve putting the public finances back into order. We must ensure that by...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That was my position. We have to sit down and organise a budget, get to the meat of the issue and decide how to return to 3% over five years in a way that is proper and right, taking into account all considerations including economic impact.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not meaningless. There is nothing meaningless about what I had to say; we are committed to restoring order in the public finances.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: We will emerge with an outcome that seeks to find a balance between the need for cuts in expenditure, the need to raise taxes and the need to revise capital programmes, all of which will happen, for several years hence in a way that protects to the greatest extent possible those whom people would like us to protect. That is not an easy task and, if necessary, based on a detailed...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I was answering a question on the day the Exchequer returns came out, based on the information available to me then, which was an honest assessment of the situation. I remain committed to bringing order to the public finances. If the Deputy wants me to do it in a way that seeks to destroy the economy, that is his view.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: If Deputy Kenny were in my position, he also would have to give due consideration to all of that as full and detailed analysis and projections for the remainder of the year become available. That is what we must do.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy can proceed with the semantics of that argument. I am saying that the Government is determined to deal with this matter in a way that seeks to find a balance that will not be easily achieved.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet is in discussions at present on budgetary issues. We are looking at all the different case scenarios and taking all the advice one would expect us to take. I am not aware of any Taoiseach who came into the House during budgetary discussions to give a progress report, week on week, on how those discussions were going——

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——except to say that we are committed to bringing forward a multi-annual approach that will seek to reduce our deficit to 3% by 2013. That is our objective and in the meantime we are working out the best way by which that adjustment can be made on a yearly basis, taking account of all the situational requirements. I am not in a position, nor would Deputy Gilmore be if he were in my...

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: All of which the Deputy and his party opposed.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy opposed every proposal.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I wish to answer some of the Deputy's rhetorical flourishes. First, I am as aware as he is that this is the public's money and it is precisely because that is the case that I am leading a Government which is prepared to take the necessary decisions rather than suggest there is some painless alternative available, based on what the Deputy had to say.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is the first point. The second point is——

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I listened to the rhetorical flourishes. My second point is that there has been more information available to the parties and to their spokespersons than would be available even at election time.

Leaders' Questions (25 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is true. That is the situation. If people wish to have discussions, or if spokespersons wish to meet the Minister for Finance who is charged with bringing forward the budget, that facility is available. At the end of the day we all know the responsibility for bringing forward the budget lies with the Government. The House will have a pre-budget debate today and Members can put...

Written Answers — Departmental Licences: Departmental Licences (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Neither my Department nor the bodies under its aegis issue licences or permits.

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 121 together. Mr. Pat Carey T.D., Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence, is assigned two official drivers. Their assignment and remuneration is a matter for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Mr. Dick Roche T.D., Minister of State at my Department and at the Department of Foreign...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I pointed out to the Deputy in my reply to Question No. 98 of 11 March 2009, requests for use of Air Corps helicopters are made by Ministers' Private Secretaries to my office and are dealt with, in the first instance, by the staff of my office. The requests are examined by my staff with regard to the need for and purpose of travel, the destination and other logistical details. Any...

Written Answers — Departmental Allowances: Departmental Allowances (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no individuals in receipt of fixed car allowances within any semi-State body reporting to my Department.