Results 7,961-7,980 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I am answering questions posed by the leader of the Labour Party. While I acknowledge and accept that the rate of acceleration in unemployment is alarming, indicates the scale of the crisis with which we must deal and compounds the issue, it must be recognised that we are facing into our difficulties knowing that far more people are at work than ever before. The number in employment reached...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Behind every statistic is a reality. I refer, for example, to families whose concerns are being exacerbated by the fact that their job security is at risk. I understand those concerns. I acknowledge that the unemployment rate of 9% is still too high and is rising. The Department of Finance, in the figures it submitted to the European Commission, has taken account and made provision in...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore stated that the way to proceed is to stabilise the economy rather than the public finances. There is a need to do both. One cannot stabilise the economy if one's deficits are increasing to 10%, 11% or 12%. The old-fashioned thinking is that this can be done.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: During a previous period of difficulty, we saw what happened when decisions were deferred and when borrowing and taxation on income, labour, etc., were increased. I am sure what was done during those periods represented a genuine attempt on the part of the then Government to deal with the situation as best it could. I do not minimise the problems faced by that Administration because times...

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is not just because jobs are being lost; it is because we are not competitive. Our cost base vis-À-vis those of our competitors is too high. We announced that we intend to obtain a reduction in electricity prices. We must work with the regulator and those involved in the energy market in order that this might happen.

Leaders' Questions (4 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The discussions with the social partners do not merely relate to the public finances. They also involve how we support enterprise and use the resources that will be available in the area of social welfare as a result of joblessness. We must identify those whose jobs are at risk and provide them with job maintenance programmes before they lose those jobs. Discussions in this regard are at...

Written Answers — Irish Language: Irish Language (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The primary objective of the Official Languages Act, 2003 was to ensure better availability and a higher standard of service to the public in Irish. This was already a key feature of my Department's Customer Charter, which undertakes that customers who wish to conduct their business through Irish can do so. Because the primary focus however, of my Department's work is on dealings with...

Expenditure Control and Economic Strategy: Statements (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Ní raibh dúshlán eacnamaíochta riamh roimh Éirinn mar atá sa lá atá inniu ann. Tá cúlú domhanda oll-mhór ann faoi láthair, cúlú eacnamaíochta atá chomh dona le haon cheann a chonaic an tír seo fós. Socróidh na cinntí atáimid ag déanamh anois an dtréigfimid an dul chun cinn atá déanta againn go náisiúnta nó an dtabharfaimid saol eacnamaíochta níos fearr dúinn...

Expenditure Control and Economic Strategy: Statements (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: It is on the way. The framework agreed with the social partners endorses the fiscal plan submitted to the European Commission and commits to working together to eliminate the current budget deficit by 2013. The difficulty in achieving this cannot be overstated. The social partners have agreed that a credible start requires an immediate adjustment of the order of €2 billion. This must be...

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Savings of approximately €1.4 billion will be made in a full year. As has been said, we are talking about a reduction averaging 7.5% in the public service pay bill as a pension levy or a contribution to a pension. The Pensions Board has done work on the benefit of public sector pensions and the difficulties private sector pension schemes have had in recent times. This will be a...

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The levy is applicable to all people working in the public service and whatever legislative changes required to give it effect will be introduced as a matter of urgency. Regarding the impact it will have on the overall budget deficit this year, we are trying to stabilise the situation by providing a €2 billion provision in this series of announcements today. We will have an opportunity...

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The next €5,000.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy referred to what the levies were. I have indicated — he is reading from the same page — the proposal that was put to the congress last night.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Regarding a salary of €15,000 the deduction as a percentage of overall salary is 3%, which is €420; at €20,000 it is €750, 3.8%. It graduates up along as the Deputy said. At €25,000 it is a €1,250 deduction or 5%.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I can forward the table.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy wishes me to put it on the record I will put it on the record.

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I have two conflicting requests. I will put it on the record if that is what the Labour Party leader wants me to do. at €30,000 it is €1,750 or 5.8%; at €35,000 it is €2,250 or 6.4%; at €40,000 it is €2,750 or 6.9%; at €45,000 it is €3,250 or 7.2%; at €50,000 it is €3,750 or 7.5%; at €55,000 it is €4,250 or 7.7%; at €60,000 it is €4,750 or 7.9%; at €65,000 it is...

Leaders' Questions (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: Yes, it is on gross income. It is on full income. To answer the previous question the Deputy asked about the Exchequer returns, those Exchequer returns are in line with the profile in that we have factored in a reduction in revenue of more than €4 billion compared with last year in the 2009 figures. I understand from the Department of Finance that this profile of expenditure was what was...

Allocation of Time: Motion (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: The purpose for which I brought forward this motion was to state to the House in the first instance the decisions made by the Cabinet this afternoon and not only to do this by way of formal announcement, which procedurally is within my right to do, but also to provide an opportunity to the leaders of the Opposition parties to make a contribution and provide an initial reaction to the...

Regulatory Reform. (3 Feb 2009)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. The OECD report, Regulatory Reform in Ireland, was published in 2001. In response to the OECD's report, the Government published the White Paper, Regulating Better, in 2004 which provides the framework for the better regulation agenda. Some of the key areas outlined in the OECD report and the White Paper relate to specific sectoral issues...