Results 7,861-7,880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Part of the purpose of the discussions on this matter is to provide reassurance to people who work honestly and reasonably, taking account of changed circumstances, with the bank or lender to reschedule mortgage arrangements that there will be no precipitative effort by financial institutions, including those outside the voluntary code who must now, in my opinion, sign-up to the statutory...

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is important to point out in response to Deputy Gilmore's question about identifying the bad debt provision that all bad debts are provided for in the accounts. Deputy Gilmore is asking me to predict what will be the performance of individual loans, be they residential or commercial mortgages. That cannot be predicted in the here and now. The suggestion is being made that provision is...

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is the case.

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The point was made that there are different laws in respect of different people. That is not the case.

Leaders' Questions (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: No. What we are trying to do is, first, to ensure that assets that can perform do perform and, second, to provide reassurance to people who get into difficulties in respect of their principal private residence. What I am saying in respect of the latter is that reassurance will be provided. People who make contact, as they have been doing up to now — one must take into consideration the...

Order of Business (10 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 Finance Act 2004 (Section 91) (Deferred Surrender to the Central Fund) Order 2009; No. 9, motion re referral to Select Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the Stabilisation and Association Agreements between the European Communities and the Republic...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy said, this is a legal requirement regarding the capital carryover. It represents approximately 1.4% of the total revenue position for voted capital in 2008 being brought into 2009. As the Deputy is aware, there are arrangements for the Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service at any time to invite before it the various authorities which are responsible for major...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Funding was provided in the Estimates this year to begin this scheme. The question of taking Committee Stage after Second Stage is a matter for the Whips. There is usually a two-week interval for Members to prepare amendments if they wish. I am not aware there is any particular problem with the——

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the first Bill referred to by the Deputy were cleared last week and that work is proceeding as a matter of priority. On the question of the code of practice regarding mortgage issues being put on a statutory basis, that is being prepared and will be brought forward. The Financial Regulator is finalising arrangements in regard to how it will work and it should be available...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy said, the decision on the limits was taken today by Government so the legislative work will now begin and will be conducted in such a way as to make it effective for the forthcoming local elections this year. The intention would be to introduce it in a timely manner. With regard to the statutory arrangements being put in place for the pensions levy, the heads of the Bill were...

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: When the legislation is published that date will become clear. My indications are that it will be from next month onwards. Regarding the Bill, the Minister for Finance attended an ECOFIN meeting today. The heads of the Bill were approved by the Cabinet and the Minister for Finance will revert next week with more detail.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, I do not agree. I do not believe we require a supplementary list. The legislative changes that must be brought about as a result of last week's announcement will be incorporated in one Bill. The early childhood supplement legislative changes will be incorporated in the Bill to which I referred in answer to Deputy Gilmore.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware there is any problem. It will probably be enacted later this year.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The legislation will be introduced to the House and that will be an opportunity for everyone to discuss their views. The levy is structured in such a way that those on lowest incomes pay at lower rates than those on higher incomes.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is hoped to have that resolved sometime during the course of the year, hopefully by the middle of this year. However, there are industrial relations issues to be addressed.

Order of Business (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand there will be legislation in due course.

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 17, inclusive, together. Agreement was reached on the review and transitional agreement 2008-09 on 17 September 2008. The transitional agreement sought to provide certainty and stability during a period of great change and difficulty facing the economy while maintaining the orderly conduct of industrial relations. The transitional agreement was...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We have social partnership structures and processes in place. It is true that we have a pay freeze in the public sector until October. We indicated that we would not be able to pay the instalments due in October 2009 and June 2010, due to current financial arrangements. Representatives of ICTU and IBEC have had discussions on the private sector pay agreement and others issues related to...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I said, we have a voluntary system of industrial relations in this country, and employers and unions agreed a pay deal last September. There is flexibility within that pay deal for those companies that wish to claim inability to pay. If companies that have profits and are in a position to pay decide to proceed with payment, they will be in compliance with the pay deal that was agreed...

Social Partnership Agreement. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I refer to the agreement that was formally adopted and endorsed by representative bodies on both sides after the negotiations were completed. What was Deputy Kenny's other question?