Results 8,221-8,240 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: My answer to that question is that were I to accept the "No" vote and do nothing about it I would have to have a Commissioner under the Nice treaty arrangements, which were worse than the existing Lisbon treaty arrangements. We put forward a proposal in the December Council that is better than the Lisbon treaty position.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the situation.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the legal situation and the Deputy cannot get away from it.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: What the Deputy cannot get away from is his continuous effort——

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——to suggest that to reject the Lisbon treaty puts Ireland in a better position. To reject the Lisbon treaty puts Ireland in a worse position.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Anyone who knows anything about politics or political economy understands that point. We are engaged in a democratic process. We must address the concerns that the people raised, as they are entitled to do, in terms of the democratic decision they made last May. That is what we are doing. Sinn Féin has decided to use a different tactic, namely, to go about suggesting to the Irish people...

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The other member states do not agree with Sinn Féin.

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: One cannot dictate what people should do. People sometimes think one can dictate but one cannot. One must work with practicalities and realities and deal with the concerns of the Irish people. The people must be given the reassurances they need not only in respect of sensitive issue in regard to our Constitution but in regard to workers' rights and the Commission. We must give a clear...

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter, the parliamentary committee outlined various recommendations, some of which must be addressed with member state colleagues at European Council level and others which must be dealt with at national level. In the context of employment rights legislation and so on, it should be pointed out that we have a good record on employment rights. Employment rights legislation which...

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is urgency in respect of this issue. However, there are also issues to be dealt with such as how we balance workers' rights——-

Official Engagements. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——with competitiveness issues in the interests of maintaining workers in employment, which is also a critical workers' right. We must consider these matters in a sensible way. There is no major ideological chasm between us in respecting the rights of workers, which is something to which I adhere. What we need to do is ensure this is addressed in a context that does not affect...

Order of Business (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a12, motion re Spent Convictions Bill 2007; No. 25, statements on European Council, Brussels; No. 12 motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31] and, subject to the agreement of No. 12, to take Supplementary Estimate [Vote 31]; No. 4, Appropriation Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second and Remaining Stages; No. 24, Finance (No. 2) Bill...

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny often has spoken of the need for efficiencies in the delivery of public services, which is precisely the context in which——

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——the HSE has devised its service plan.

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It has obtained efficiencies totalling €280 million during this year, which will be repeated next year. The figures being spoken about in the public debate this morning are not those of the HSE. As Deputy Kenny observed, the HSE has set out a public service plan to support its goals, which are to maintain services to patients and clients in both hospitals and community settings in a manner...

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Certainly——

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The health service would never be sorted out were Deputy Kenny in charge, because he is in favour of the status quo plus——

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Are the Deputies opposite finished?

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Are they finished?

Leaders' Questions. (17 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Whenever the Whip is ready.