Results 7,201-7,220 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill for the George Mitchell scholarship fund are being worked on and should be brought to the House this year. I will have to check with the Minister on the status of the proposed amendments to the Student Support Bill.

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Nuair a bhí mé ag labhairt le Príomh-Aire na Breataine, níor shíl mé go raibh sé oiriúnach na hábhair a luaigh an Teachta a thabhairt suas leis mar bhí ag tabhairt bá an náisiúin do phobal na Breataine mar gheall ar na dúnmharuithe a tharla in Aontroim agus i gCraigavon. Bhí mé ag rá leis an Phríomh-Aire go bhfuil sé riachtanach go bhfuil comhoibriú idir na Rialtais chomh...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the first matter Deputy Hayes raised, namely, the British Irish Council, issues arising from its meetings are dealt with through parliamentary questions, as now. Members may be of the opinion that a formal debate from time to time would help to improve the visibility of that work or perhaps a more structured approach within the committee system. There are a number of options...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes. In essence, we did so before the break when the House debated an agreed motion.

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: That would be correct.

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: This matter had come up in previous parliamentary questions and we have notified the British Parliament in this regard and indicated the united view pertaining to it in the Dáil, etc. Such matters are raised through the relevant Ministers, for example, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who have line responsibility for dealing with the...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: In regard to what Deputy Gilmore said, efforts have been made to get weapons in from outside for these groups. Obviously, the Garda works with Interpol and other international agencies to try to deal with that threat and there have been some successes in that area in the past. I have seen reports but I understand from the Garda Commissioner that there is not this cross connection between...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. I attended the twelfth summit of the British Irish Council in Cardiff, Wales on 20 February last. I was accompanied by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Éamon Ó Cúiv. The meeting was hosted by the First Minister for Wales, Rhodri Morgan, and brought together representatives of all eight member...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I can inform Deputy Gilmore, in response to his first question, that a decision on the possible establishment of a standing secretariat, which has been on the agenda for some time, will be made next October. A number of jurisdictions have indicated an interest in providing the location of the secretariat. We have kept out of that to give a number of other countries an opportunity to follow...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: As Deputy Gilmore will be aware, progress continues to be made on this matter and the passage of the necessary legislation at Westminster two weeks ago was an important step in this regard. It is also important that all the political parties continue to engage proactively through the Assembly committee to move the issue forward, and that is happening. Both the Irish and British Governments...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have no such information but if I had, as the Deputy will be aware, it is not something I would bring into the public domain anyway. I did not raise the other matter formally at the European Council meeting. Colleagues are aware of the close co-operation between us and the British Government on this matter at governmental level. We have maintained contact at that level.

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Part of the security briefings is an update by the heads of security in the country, including the Garda Commissioner, on nefarious activities being sought to be undertaken by these dissident and terrorist groups. Unfortunately, because of the length of the previous conflict we had, we know the Garda Síochána is very professional and adept at identifying suspects and keeping very close...

Official Engagements. (24 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Government has noted these legislative developments and it is aware of the procedural steps that have been taken. We welcome the fact that the orders-in-council reflect the legislation and enable the intention of all the parties to proceed on the basis of the agreement reached. It is important we proceed consistent with the agreements reached at political level in order that the...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I take it that the Deputy is referring to the policy for use of the Air Corps helicopters by office holders. Office holders may apply to use an Air Corps helicopter or an aircraft which is part of the Ministerial Air Transport Service. In all cases, my approval is required before an Air Corps helicopter or a Ministerial Air Transport Service aircraft can be used. Procedurally, requests for...

Written Answers — National Honours System: National Honours System (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy may recall that my predecessor replied to questions on this subject from him and other Deputies on 20 November 2007 and from him on 5 December 2007. In his replies, he said it had always been his view that a national honours system would require all-party agreement if it were to proceed. He had written to the main Opposition party leaders in 1999 but it was evident that...

Written Answers — Compulsory Retirement Age: Compulsory Retirement Age (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department employs 21 female staff and nine male staff who are not subject to a compulsory retirement age of 65 years.

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I assure Deputy Stagg that I look forward to the publication of the Bill as much as he does. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is co-ordinating efforts to draw up the legislation. This is not a simple matter to deal with, but I would like the legislation to be published as soon as possible. The Cabinet discusses the matter every week but I cannot be any more specific with...

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern.

Order of Business (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill is currently on Committee Stage. As soon as deliberations in that regard are completed, we will be able to discuss the matter further.

Northern Ireland: Motion (11 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I move: That Dáil Éireann: utterly condemns the murders of Sapper Mark Quinsey and Sapper Cengiz Azimkar in Antrim, and of Constable Stephen Carroll in Craigavon, as well as the injuries inflicted on others in those attacks; expresses its deepest sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of the dead and injured; affirms that the groups responsible for these atrocities have no...