Results 8,381-8,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The results from samples taken from 11 of the 35 restricted herds do not have significant implications. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland is satisfied that while there was technical non-compliance in three herds, eight were clear. The level of increased levels of PCBs over proposed levels in beef does represent a risk to the public. There is no reason for a product recall of beef because...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will certainly reply as factually as I possibly can. In no way is the purpose of these discussions to erode confidence in the products mentioned by the Deputy. The precautionary principle, which is being applied in the pork and beef situations, is the proper principle to apply in the interests of maintaining confidence in Irish products. A decision was taken on foot of the facts as they...

Leaders' Questions (9 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is correct that we want pork products back on the shelves as quickly as possible. An assurance can be given that, post-recall, all Irish pork products on shelves at home and abroad will be proper and appropriate products. Those ten production units on the nine farms identified as being in receipt of the contaminated feed are restricted and no product from those farms will find...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The measures we took this year in terms of expenditure mean our expenditure plans will come in broadly on target. The problem that has arisen relates to the serious decline in tax revenue across nearly all tax heads, a reduction in the order of 13% this year. This will have an impact on our opening position next year also. Our strategy involves a collective effort by all stakeholders,...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer Deputy Kenny directly, he makes the case that there should be €5 billion in cutbacks next year. That is a matter to be decided by Government in terms of the credible timeframe in which——

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——we can restore balance in the budget without damaging the economy unduly. We have set up a process by which we will do this and we have ensured that our expenditure programmes this year have come in on schedule. A difficulty has arisen in that 13% of projected revenue was not raised this year. We must react to this position, but we should not do so by adding taxes to the economy...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am talking about over and above our current budgetary position. We have introduced an income levy and some minor changes in capital taxes as part of our balanced approach and in light of a gross return on revenue of €2.3 billion. We also had cutbacks in the context of the July decision, which will have an impact of €1 billion. Further economies were also brought about as a result of...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: As part of his solution to saving €5 billion he told me to spend an extra €1 billion on the capital side.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I presume this makes for a total of €6 billion. The Deputy also stated that the rate of VAT should be reduced. The difficulty in respect of cross-Border trade does not relate to VAT.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The exchange rate between sterling and the euro is causing that problem.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not want to become involved in an argument with Deputy Kenny. That is not the game I want to play.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I want to be straight and outline where we are at.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Kenny does not have a strategy.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I wish to make a point in passing. Fine Gael's finance spokesperson has stated we should have a deficit of 5.5%. For the past six weeks, Private Members' motions have decried every cutback and economy we have been had to introduce and make in order to achieve a balance.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: What I have stated is a fact. Those in Fine Gael are speaking out of both sides of their mouth. However, they can do so because that is the luxury of being in opposition. In August I was criticised by Fine Gael's finance spokesperson for not concluding the pay agreement. In September I was congratulated by him for concluding it.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: He then stated in October that there should not be a pay agreement.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: My position is simple. We will continue to examine the operation of our pay arrangements in partnership with the stakeholders and not throw away partnership as Deputy Kenny suggested.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The only way this matter will be satisfactorily resolved——

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The difference between Deputy Kenny and me is that——

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The difference between us is that I believe the social partnership process is a problem-solving process, not a problem avoiding process.