Results 7,601-7,620 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Some of the points the Deputy raises are not related to the questions which are specific to the release of papers this year under the 30 year rule. Regarding the part of the Deputy's contribution on involvement by me or my office in decisions, which is relevant and on which I can reply, the evaluation of files for release to the National Archives is carried out by designated officials in my...

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is nothing in the information supplied to me to indicate that anything relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings was withheld in this tranche of material. The Deputy would have to put down a specific question for me to be able to answer with accuracy on issues relating to that important matter. As I said earlier, to my recollection I did not have any involvement, good, bad or...

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have any information among the files available to me for the purpose of responding to these four questions.

National Archives. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: To be as helpful as I can, I do not recall receiving any representations from Department officials to the effect that there was a particular problem there at the moment.

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 8, inclusive, together. The information sought by the Deputies concerning appointments made by me or my predecessor to State boards and agencies under the aegis of my Department since June 2002 is set out in the following tables. The relevant bodies are the National Statistics Board, the Law Reform Commission, the National Economic and Social Development...

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not have supplementary information on that matter based on the questions which have been tabled. Committees have the right and entitlement to invite people before them to discuss a range of policy questions not only in respect of the particular competencies they bring to the operation of State boards but also in terms of the policies that are being implemented, which are presumably...

Departmental Agencies. (24 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Ceann Comhairle stated, this State board is not under my aegis. I am sure the requisite announcement and communication of decisions taken will be done by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan. I understand this is an interim authority pending the enactment of legislation providing for the broadcasting authority of Ireland, which represents a...

Written Answers — Cabinet Committees: Cabinet Committees (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security met six times during 2008, most recently on 5 November 2008. The date of the next Committee meeting has not yet been confirmed, but it is expected to meet before the end of April, with further meetings as required during the remainder of 2009.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: My Department has not signed any contracts for capital spend in 2008. The five highest value contracts for current spend in 2008 are detailed as follows: Company Value (Nett of VAT) Nature of Work € The Economist Intelligence Unit 337,500 Consultancy — independent Review of the Economic Regulatory Environment; Ipsos MORI 57,700 Consultancy — Survey of Civil Service customers;...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: There are no regulators or regulatory bodies under the control of my Department.

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I will mention the Deputy's suggestion on the first matter to the Ministers for Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The report issued by Grant Thornton earlier indicates some companies are not complying with the code and this will be carefully examined to see what policy response is needed to help bolster business and public confidence, which is an important consideration at this...

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Legislation is not required. It is a commercial arrangement with a facility being provided by the banks concerned to the industry and the public generally in respect of assisting in the accessing of finance for important work such as energy efficiency and so on, which can make business more competitive, maintain jobs and contain and cut costs. The fund does not require a statutory basis....

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The electricity (transfer of transmission assets) Bill will be later this year.

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The National Pensions Reserve Fund (amendment) Bill should be published later this week. The financial services (deposit guarantee scheme) Bill will be later this session and the social welfare Bill will be later this year.

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is impossible to indicate at this stage when that legislation will be introduced. I understand there is a consultation process in place. As the Deputy knows, the electricity industry is a regulated industry.

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Commission for Energy Regulation dictates prices. I have indicated, as has the Minister, that an interaction is going on to see in what way, consistent with the regulatory regime, we can reduce prices as an assistance to business at this time. I believe that as a result of that work any possible changes that may be envisaged can be brought forward more quickly than would otherwise be...

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We will do it. The Deputy need not worry.

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We will do it, unlike the Labour Party.

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We will do it, unlike the Labour Party.

Order of Business (18 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy has raised a legislative issue, which will be dealt with by the Minister for Finance during the course of the debate.