Results 8,321-8,340 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: In respect of specific areas, the Minister has, as she is entitled to do under the various Acts, indicated the priority action she wants to be taken in the context of the service plans the Health Service Executive has presented to her for the purpose of outlining how services will be applied next year. That is part of the process. She has been able to make informed decisions based on the...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The economy was not mismanaged during the past ten years, particularly if by mismanagement the Deputy is referring to having the highest growth rate in the European economy. The latter would be an unusual description of mismanagement.

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: During the past 12 months the public finances deteriorated following the extremely rapid decrease in growth rates. As a result, the economy is now contracting. This raises serious challenges for us in the short to medium term. I intend using the social partnership process as a means of seeking to address that issue in a timeframe that is credible at home and abroad. Due to my interest in...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. I launched the Government statement on transforming public services on Wednesday, 26 November. In tandem with this statement, the report of the task force on the public service, the report of the organisational review programme and the Civil Service customer satisfaction survey 2008 were also published. The cost of the launch,...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The questions relate to the public service transformation project in which we are now engaged. There are ongoing reforms in the public service. Many of the pay agreements are based on agreed changes in work practices, etc. It is not a question of having a public service that mirrors exactly what it was in 1922, 1962, 1982 or 1992. Several initiatives have taken place which have brought...

Public Service Reform. (16 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have explained to the Deputy that I am not talking about process. I am talking about changes that now have to be negotiated with public service unions in the same way as many of those unions, or their like in other areas of the economy, are engaging in change programmes as we speak in order to survive in the marketplace in which they operate. I expect that within the next six months —...

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The legislation was signalled by the Government in respect of the reforms that we brought forward in the interests of maintaining a sustainable level of service for all citizens, including those aged over 70 who have an entitlement to a medical card. The large threshold we have devised in respect of the income thresholds that will apply confirm that 19 out of every 20 existing pensioners...

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The only general observation I will make is that if the Leader of the Opposition wants to have a good handle on what Irish foreign policy is at any time if there is a contest between the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Mr. Bonde, the Minister for Foreign Affairs will win it quite easily.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are working intensively with the Presidency and with colleague member states to bring to their attention this issue coming up and trying to put our case. Obviously, no agreement will be reached until any conclusions are adopted. With regard to the other matter there are no Government proposals.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand one will come back from the Select Committee on Health and Children tomorrow for a short debate. I do not think the Supplementary Estimate with regard to Agriculture is due until next week and I cannot anticipate anything at present.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is on Report Stage in the Seanad.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The commendation by the Deputy of the legislation to which he referred would not be sufficient to guarantee my support.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Both those Bills are subject to a public consultation process. Neither will progress until that process is completed.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is currently no date for the introduction of this Bill.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the final part of the Deputy's statement.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the other matters, I will ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to collate that information for circulation.

Order of Business (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: That Bill is awaiting Committee Stage. We hope it will be taken up soon by the relevant committee.

Leaders' Questions (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy was making some good points, but he concluded with a facetious comment. The fact is that the common management of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service will remain in place. Front line services will not be affected in any way. I did not suggest that the service represents a panacea in this instance. It is important to make people aware that an objective service is available to...

Leaders' Questions (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should check the record of the House. Deputy Gilmore inquired about the rise in the waiting list for social housing. In his supplementary question he also asked me to indicate what changes in housing policy we are making to adjust to these new realities. I am simply pointing out what those are.

Leaders' Questions (10 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not as you are. The new incremental purchase scheme has also been introduced, which works with the Affordable Homes Partnership and others, who have made some very good proposals on shared equity to ensure that people who are in rental accommodation at present could get onto the ownership ladder in accordance with and as appropriate to their own particular needs.