Results 7,921-7,940 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Of course.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Jan O'Sullivan also inquired with regard to the statutory arrangements that must be put in place. These will be incorporated into the Bill relating to the pension levy and other issues to which I referred earlier. All legislative requirements will be dealt with in a single Bill.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The heads were approved on 27 January and drafting of the Bill is proceeding as a matter of priority. As the Deputy stated, this is important legislation and we are according to it the necessary level of attention.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As the Ceann Comhairle suggested, the issue the Deputy raises can be raised in the debate today and tomorrow. I am sure the Minister for Finance will be pleased to answer any questions Deputies may have on monetary policy and the impact exchange rate movements are having on Irish competitiveness during the question and answer session. This issue is of particular importance for Ireland given...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: A voluntary code of practice has been in place in respect of members of the Irish Banking Federation, with which the regulator deals. The statutory code of practice would include——

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: That is fine.

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Financial Regulator has statutory responsibility to draw up a code of practice which will be put on a statutory basis. I presume the Deputy is seeking information in response to his question rather than merely interrupting me. To answer him, it is intended to include in the statutory code of practice being drawn up those entities involved in the sub-prime market which are not part of...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I understand foreshore legislation is due in the course of this year. I referred earlier to this matter when Deputy Barrett raised a related matter regarding a draft Bill relating to offshore development of renewable energy. The foreshore Bill to which the Deputy refers is separate and is due in the course of the year. I am not aware of the second proposed Bill to which he refers. I will...

Death of Member: Expressions of Sympathy. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Is minic a smaoiníonn daoine ar thús nua agus iad ag smaoineamh ar an mbliain nua. Ach muidne a raibh aithne againn ar Tony Gregory ciallóidh bliain nua 2009 deireadh an aistir dó, aistear saoil a thug sé ar mhaithe le seirbhís don phobal. Bhí Tony Gregory ar dhuine de na Teachtaí ab fhaide sa Dáil. Ní raibh baint aige le haon pháirtí agus ba mhór aige an neamhspleáchas. Thug...

Order of Business (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a11, motion re expenditure measures for the stabilisation of the public finances. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. a11 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. tomorrow and the following arrangements shall apply: the speeches of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the idea that we are fixated with one aspect rather than all aspects of the problem. We have to acknowledge to the Irish public today that during the course of this year, as we see a contraction in the economy, we will see more unemployment. We must be straight with people and say this will happen. This is also incorporated in the figures we have been discussing. That is...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Unemployment has now reached 330,000. The official figures on where finances will need to be at the end of the year could well incorporate an unemployment figure of up to 400,000, which is well over 10% of the total workforce.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am making the point that we have to be straight with people. If one is in a recession, there are job losses and casualties.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have listened in silence to what Deputies have to say.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: If Deputy Connaughton has something to say in the course of the day, I will be glad to hear it. In the meantime, under this procedure, I am entitled to make these points. We must do everything possible to maintain jobs in the economy and I assure the House we can and will do so. However, we cannot delude ourselves that not trying to stabilise the public finances would in some way keep more...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: We need a viable plan and are doing all we can. The Minister from the area is working with Deputies from all sides of the House who have a similar concern about the issue. The Government and line Ministers concerned are also trying to find a way which would maintain a production capacity in Waterford. This is the outcome we would all like. As Deputies are aware, as a receiver has been...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. The names, titles and total annual salary, including pension contributions, of each of the staff appointed by me are detailed in the table. Under the direction of the programme manager, the primary function of the special advisers is to monitor, facilitate and help secure the achievement of Government objectives and ensure...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: As I stated, those who have a pension entitlement by way of their employment, for example, advisers who have a previous work record as public servants — some of the individuals in question are in that position — will be subject to the same arrangements as any other public servant based on the decision that was made. I have indicated that those who do not have such an arrangement and for...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is a situation I arranged for and agreed to, on the basis of the heavy workload of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, and the extensive reform programme in which she is engaged. Not only is the policy advice available to her, it is available to the whole Government and covers a range of issues. It was an arrangement I was prepared to enter into in view of the...

Departmental Staff. (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The 3% payroll savings will apply across all Departments. It is how we provided for savings in that area and they are departmental targets. I have also indicated that the offices of Ministers and Minister of State should seek to reduce costs by 10% this year, which is a political decision I made yesterday. We must show every effort to reduce costs in all areas of activity, including the...