Results 7,901-7,920 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Ministerial Travel. (10 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: No, I cannot.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The information sought by the Deputy is in the following table. Date Launch / Event 2007 10th Jan 07 Launch National Centre for Partnership and Performance Strategy Document 2007-2010 28 Jan 07 Launch the Report of the Seafood Strategy Review Group (Cawley Report) 5 Feb 07 Launch of the European Year of Equal Opportunities for all 19 Feb 07 Attend Press Conference on Referendum on...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads of the Bill for the National Pensions Reserve Fund (Amendment) Bill were before Cabinet recently and the drafting of the Bill is proceeding. Regarding the Bill referred to by Deputy Barrett, chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change and Energy Security, I understand the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has been in...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I stated previously that the Bill was being drafted at the moment. On the Bill to deal with the pension levy, the decision was just taken on Tuesday and it will now be a priority for the Parliamentary Counsel and Attorney General to prepare it. The Minister for Finance will be handling it.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes. There is no question or doubt about that.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy's statement. A legislative change will be required to proceed with the alteration in the early child care supplement, in addition to other legislative changes on the pension levy and other announcements made yesterday. For children under five, the payment under current arrangements is €3,100 per child per year and after the changes we have announced take...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: ——in revolutionising the direct provision for child care in line with national anti-poverty strategies down the years. Many of the targets were reached. Taking child benefit and the early child care supplement together for children under five, the provision is €3,100 per year. With our proposed changes, it will be €3,000 per year. I do not regard the adjective "punitive" as being...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The purpose at all times has been how to ensure we maintain confidence and stability in our banking system while simultaneously protecting the taxpayers' interest, should a commitment be made by the taxpayer in that respect. The portrayal of the issue in any other way — as a bail-out or other irresponsible comment — does nothing to bring confidence to the economy or address the issues...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That will happen this year.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand that will also happen this year. The Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, is active in that area.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The latest information I have is that it is for this year. I cannot give an exact date.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Finance has indicated that the Revised Estimates Volume, REV, will be available in early March.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The REV will take account of the changes relating to the decision taken yesterday in respect of the €2 billion savings that will result from changes in expenditure levels in various Departments. This exercise must be undertaken this month and that is one of the reasons the REV will only be available in early March. It is not intended to bring forward a Green Paper or a White Paper; it is...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no way we can discuss that matter now.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible to indicate when the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill will be forthcoming. The fisheries (amendment) Bill will be published during this year.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Progress is being made and the Bill will be brought forward as soon as possible. It is not being left in dry dock.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for the publication of the legislation to which the Deputy refers. However, the Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Act 2008 gives the Minister statutory and wide-ranging powers to ensure that prudent lending practices will be the norm in our banking industry in the future. The powers to which I refer will allow the Government to have a far more direct influence in...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The recent contract arrangements agreed with consultants improved the situation for public patients.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The contract to which the Deputy refers provides a better deal for taxpayers and public patients.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I reiterate that it provides a better deal for taxpayers and public patients than was previously the case.