Results 7,581-7,600 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The statement at the time would indicate to the Deputy what the commitment was.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That Bill is on Second Stage. A matter of prolonged discussions within social partnership was the need to ensure that we have a proportionate and practical response in these areas. One cannot attribute the failures in FÁS, brought forward primarily by Dáil scrutiny, to the fact that there were employee representatives on the board. That is not the reason for the problem.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I certainly do not attribute it to that. That is a poor reflection on the many employee representatives who conscientiously worked hard on that board. As a former Minister with responsibility for labour affairs I know that, and that reflects badly, if unintentionally, on people who are trying to ensure that FÁS policies have regard to that perspective.

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand that it is expected in this session which will give the Deputy an opportunity to state her views. To complete my response to Deputy Varadkar's question, the composition of the board is a matter of deciding on the best and most efficient way of doing board business. One should not attribute any recent systems failures to the personnel outlined in his question. That is an unfair...

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware these are matters that are under investigation. In the interests of the principle of accountability not being breached, it is important those given the authority to act independently, as provided for under Acts of the Oireachtas, are able to do their job in respect of any issue referred to them. That is what is happening in regard to the specific case mentioned by...

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: This is beyond the remit of the questions asked.

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The question of reforms that will take place in respect of regulatory matters, financial and otherwise, but especially financial, in the present circumstances, is something that has been accorded the highest priority by the Minister for Finance. He would intend to bring proposals to Government very shortly regarding that matter. It would be his intention in respect of any vacancies that...

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I have said, there are many people who act on State boards, some in the singular and some in the plural who have shown and displayed not only a strong commitment to public service, but a strong competence and professionalism and have brought these particular attributes to the fore in respect of their involvement in State boards throughout the years. Among the requirements for appointment...

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Appointments to some State boards require prior Government approval. The practice initiated when Deputy Gilmore's party took office in 1992, requiring matters to be brought to the attention of party leaders before State board appointments were decided, continues. As the Deputy knows, every State board does not require prior formal Government approval. The specific matter he raises would...

Leaders' Questions (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the House is aware from news reports, this morning the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation was involved in an investigative operation in Anglo Irish Bank under the direction of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. Any such investigation is a matter for the Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement; the Government does not intervene in such investigations....

Leaders' Questions (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the financial crisis, in recent months the Government outlined a strategy based on the need to supply a guarantee in respect of the banking system, such was the imminent threat upon it last September. This did not meet with unanimous approval in the House. However, it met with some approval and the Deputy's party supported that aspect of our strategy. We then proceeded to...

Leaders' Questions (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The bottom line is that we are seeking to pursue this matter in the best way possible and in the national interest for the purpose of trying to restore financial stability to the system as soon as possible. As I stated, this is an ongoing challenge. On the economic issue, the Government has proceeded through its budgets and through raising more than €2 billion from taxation in 2009....

Leaders' Questions (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is a matter for the Opposition parties to determine and decide upon in their own democratic way. Furthermore, in respect of meeting the continuing challenge that faces the country in establishing and maintaining stability in our financial system and the real economic challenge that faces the country in the months and years ahead, it is important to continue to try to do this in a way...

Leaders' Questions (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will make a general point and then answer the specific questions raised. As everyone knows, a thorough investigation is taking place in Anglo Irish Bank and certain matters which have come to the attention of the authorities are being investigated. People will be aware, therefore, that the meeting referred to in The Sunday Tribune article did not take place until 22 January 2009, that is,...

Leaders' Questions (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I take the point that has been made. These transactions, as I said, took place at the end of September last year. The meeting referred to in the article in The Sunday Tribune did not take place until 22 January 2009. I am simply making the point that the Department of Finance official concerned had not been briefed on any discussion that may have taken place with the Financial Regulator on...

Order of Business (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 8, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between the European Communities and Turkmenistan; No. 9, motion re referral to joint committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of a proposal that section 17A of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 shall continue in force...

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The evaluation of files for release to the national archives is carried out by designated officials in my Department. It is normal, as files are processed for release each year, that some are certified by the appropriate officials for retention on the grounds set forth in the Act. Under section 8(6) of the National Archives Act...

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: A case would have to be made as to why the limit should be reduced. The idea behind the National Archives Act is to assist historians by releasing State papers from 30 years ago every year and giving them valuable insights into Governments' analyses at the time. Those studying and examining those historical events find the State papers a valuable research resource. Freedom of information...

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: This is not a matter to which the Government is giving active consideration. However, 30 years ago, in light of the second oil crisis, the problem of our dependence on fossil fuels and the fact that the question of climate change had not yet arisen, it was a valid subject for examination. At present, energy independence is not only a fashionable but also an important topic of discussion and...

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The questions tabled by Deputies relate specifically to the files, if any, that were withheld, the detail of what was provided and the reason behind any material not being provided under the National Archive Act 1986. If there is a wider policy issue regarding the efficacy of having these rules in place in the first instance, perhaps parliamentary questions to that effect might elicit a more...