Results 7,321-7,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a critical issue for our party and this Government, I assure the Deputy. It is why we introduced——

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——we introduced the Commission for Taxation, the first one in 30 years. In fact, public servants and other low income workers are paying a lot less tax under this Administration than they paid under the Administration of which Deputy Stagg was a member.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Just to remind the Deputy, the tax rate used to be 26% after the first £84, so I do not need any lectures from him on how progressive we have made the tax system during the good times.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The important point is that it will now have to be adapted to the new circumstances in which we find ourselves. Regarding the Commission on Taxation, which has been mentioned, the Minister for Finance has already indicated in last night's debate that he expected that it will be brought forward in the late summer. I can make the point here that, clearly, whatever taxation decisions are to be...

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Everything is on the table.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Everything is on the table, including the Deputy's proposals.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I convey my sympathies to the family on the bereavement and the sad circumstances in which it happened. Regarding the legislation itself, I understand that it should be later this year.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy has asked me to anticipate the decision. Obviously, however, the Government has made clear that given the scale of the challenges facing us this year and in future years, the supplementary budget, as part of a wider stabilisation plan, will involve revenue raising issues and expenditure issues to deal with the emerging situation in the public finances. Whatever enactments,...

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the referendum Bill, it can be considered only on the basis of the work that is currently being finalised to the satisfaction of everyone, including Ireland, at European Council level.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Not yet.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand it will be during this session.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: Work continues.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand it is to be taken tomorrow.

Order of Business (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: A cursory reading of the Bill might assist.

Leaders' Questions (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: When we talk about the need to bring order to our public finances, which everybody agrees we must, the record will show that the Opposition agreed with that proposition in principle but opposed it in practice. In the present context the four cornerstones of any policy needed to help deal with this situation, are, bringing order to our public finances, trying to get our banks to operate in a...

Leaders' Questions (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: If there is a global recession in all the markets in which we operate that has an impact in the real economy of this country. That is a predicament that every Minister of Finance and every Department of Finance must face. This Thursday, the European Central Bank, which has access to the data of all euro area banks in respect of the European economy, will revise its economic forecast, having...

Leaders' Questions (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I want to clarify an issue that has been thrown at the Tánaiste on an ongoing basis. The Tánaiste spoke in respect of control of our public expenditure and the quotes are there for anybody who wishes to read them. Perhaps it might be reported to give a full flavour of what the Tánaiste had to say on this matter. She said: "We have made a decision on the amount of expenditure that we are...

Ceisteanna — Questions (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. There are political agreements with individual Independent Deputies which my predecessor entered into as Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party. I have confirmed to those Deputies concerned that I will continue to implement those agreements. The House is aware such arrangements have existed for more than 11 years. The House is also...

Ceisteanna — Questions (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no arrangements with Deputy Joe Behan. Deputy Kenny should not make a mountain out of a molehill. There are political agreements and on that basis they are confidential. They are obviously based on the programme for Government. Part of that programme sets out that all programmes and policies are predicated on trying to maintain order in our public finances in order that they are...

Ceisteanna — Questions (4 Mar 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am amused at the Deputy's fixation with the political arrangements which others have with the Government. It is their entitlement to support the Government if they wish. The fact they are not interested in supporting the Deputy's party——