Results 61-80 of 3,828 for in 'Dáil debates' speaker:Barry Cowen

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Energy Prices (17 May 2022)

Barry Cowen: Last Tuesday, the Irish Independent carried a story by Charlie Weston on a EUROSTAT report that shows that Irish electricity prices are 25% above the European average. Last year, I highlighted concerns about the State's inability to provide adequate competition in the energy market, resulting in excessive prices for consumers, both household and business. I highlighted the fact that despite...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 May 2022)

Barry Cowen: In the context of the sub-committee dealing with climate change, will the Taoiseach check to see when the territorial plan will be agreed and submitted to the Commission in order to draw down the matched funding to the NDP, which is €84 million, to provide the just transition funding and allow the body administering it, namely, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, to be set up...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 May 2022)

Barry Cowen: 17. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on environment and climate change will next meet. [23214/22]

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 May 2022)

Barry Cowen: My question relates to the Cabinet subcommittee on economic recovery and investment. Notwithstanding that its recent meetings were sure to deal with issues pertaining to the cost of living, I specifically have a question about the costs associated with energy not only for households but also for business and its activities. In recent weeks another independent report and assessment appeared...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Cabinet Committees (11 May 2022)

Barry Cowen: 8. To ask the Taoiseach when the Cabinet committee on economic recovery and investment will next meet. [23213/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Capital Expenditure Programme (28 Apr 2022)

Barry Cowen: 98. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that he is strengthening scrutiny of major public investment proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20518/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (28 Apr 2022)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister of State. I note that the value of the measures the Minister of State has relayed is over €2.1 billion. I would like to ask him about the VAT commitments that have been made for the period until October of this year. Given the situation in Ukraine, and the impact of the war on energy prices, does the Minister of State see the VAT rate being revisited and the...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (28 Apr 2022)

Barry Cowen: 12. To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cumulative cost of the measures that he has taken since and including budget 2022 to help address cost of living issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20523/22]

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Cost of Living Issues (28 Apr 2022)

Barry Cowen: Will the Minister of State inform the House about the cumulative measures that have been taken by the Government to address the cost of living issues since and including budget 2022? I ask in order that the House be especially aware of the effort on the part of Government in this area. It has committed to these measures on numerous occasions in the House but I ask that the cumulative...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Mar 2022)

Barry Cowen: Did the Taoiseach discuss the energy crisis during his meeting with the German Chancellor? For example, did the Taoiseach seek the German Chancellor's support were he to raise at the meeting in Versailles the option for the European Union to champion the provision of a European renewable super-energy grid, combining the potential of Ireland's west coast offshore capabilities with southern...

Ceisteanna - Questions: Taoiseach's Meetings and Engagements (8 Mar 2022)

Barry Cowen: 14. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the German Chancellor. [12884/22]

National Retrofitting Scheme: Statements (17 Feb 2022)

Barry Cowen: I welcome the scheme that has been presented to the House. It was a critical element of the programme for Government for Fianna Fáil and for me. It is the first real tangible link that has been made for households between the carbon tax revenue and their transition, beyond the existing warmer homes scheme, and we welcome the improvements announced to that scheme as well. I am...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits (10 Feb 2022)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister of State for his detailed response. I appreciate much of what has been said, including his honest appraisal and acknowledgement of the problem. I acknowledge the commitments that have been made and that are ongoing to address this issue, with the provision of new permanent staff and the allocation of temporary staff from other Departments to help. I agree that there is...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Work Permits (10 Feb 2022)

Barry Cowen: The skills shortage across many sectors has been exacerbated by the pandemic. While many businesses thankfully survived that terrible vista, in no small way due to the financial supports from the Government, such as the wage subsidy schemes, the CRSS, waiving of rates, warehousing of tax returns etc., the re-opening presents its own challenges. Not least of these is the impact of energy and...

Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures Bill 2022: Second Stage (3 Feb 2022)

Barry Cowen: This legislation is the Government's response to the excessive costs and burdens being placed on households by electricity bills. It might be a welcome reprieve for the moment at a cost of €215 million, but it does little to guarantee that we will not be here again throwing hundreds of millions of euro more of taxpayers' money at meeting bills that are far too excessive and well in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Defence Forces (27 Jan 2022)

Barry Cowen: 97. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects the numbers in the Defence Forces to reach 9,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3768/22]

Violence Against Women: Statements (19 Jan 2022)

Barry Cowen: As an elected Member from the Tullamore area, I was anxious that I place on the record of Dáil Éireann the ongoing condolences of the people of Laois-Offaly to Ashling Murphy's parents, Ray and Kathleen, her sister, Amy, her brother, Cathal, her boyfriend, Ryan, and the extended Murphy and Leonard families. We know an act of depravity has robbed us of one of our own; one reared in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Covid-19 Pandemic Supports (16 Dec 2021)

Barry Cowen: 106. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons in counties Offaly and Laois, respectively, currently being supported by the employment wage subsidy scheme; the number of businesses in each county currently availing of the business resumption support scheme; the number of businesses in each county currently availing of the Covid restrictions support scheme; and if he will make a...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Electricity Transmission Network (30 Nov 2021)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister of State. I do not, nor does anybody else, expect the Minister, Deputy Ryan, to be able to change international gas prices. We have a right to expect, however, a competitive, efficient and well-served wholesale market. I contend that successive failures by the Department, EirGrid and the CRU have resulted in the present situation where we have too little generation...