Results 8,401-8,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I recently engaged in discussions with IBEC and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU. Collectively, we will bring forward an approach that will best guarantee our way through this problem.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have done so for the past 20 years, in good times and in bad. We are the authors of the partnership process, which Fine Gael has always decried. We will again prove them wrong in respect of it on this occasion.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not seeking to attack the Opposition. I am defending myself from attacks by the Opposition, which I am entitled to do. Those opposite are entitled to attack me and I am entitled to defend myself and the position of the Government in respect of its policies. That is fair enough. Let us keep it simple. We have a strategy in place. In order to ensure that spending would remain within...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It was originally a programme worth €9 billion, based on 4% growth. We will now have a programme worth €8.2 billion based on a contraction in the economy. We could not show a greater commitment to the capital investment programme in current circumstances. The amount to be spent on it would only be increased by €800 million if the economy was growing by a far greater rate. This is a...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We need to build up the capacity of the country and to do so as quickly as we can and as public finances allow. Also in regard to the strategy, we have brought forward incentives in the Finance Bill. The Minister for Finance outlined these incentives on Second Stage and in amendments tabled for Committee Stage. These are significant incentives which will allow multinationals to increase...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Finance Bill will help to secure and advance our enterprise economy while maintaining and enhancing pro-employment business tax reliefs which will support jobs. I recognise that in a recession we will not be casualty free. There are people who are losing their jobs and the prospect of more people losing their jobs is great. We must, to the greatest extent we can, bring about a...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have to make that decision strategically, and we are doing it. On the banking situation, which is fundamental as a strategy in terms of bringing about the prospect of economic recovery, we are continuing our engagement with the banks. We swiftly introduced a banking guarantee which meant we did not have the calamitous situation of a collapse in our banking system. We continue to strive...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It has been suggested that everything that has happened during the past ten years was illusionary.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: With respect to Deputy Gilmore, there are no contradictions. An bord snip referred to by Deputy Gilmore is an advisory body. We will make the decisions.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Do Members want to have a serious discussion or not? On the question relating to public service numbers and expenditure programmes, the Minister for Finance has appointed a public official in his office and four others to go through every item of expenditure relating to public spending on the current side. Members should read what the man has to say. The group's remit is to examine items...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We do not contract out Government responsibility——

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——as we do in social partnership. Whenever we hear good ideas around the table, we will take them. We will even take them from the Opposition if we can get them. The Government's plan is simple. I have outlined it. Through our budgetary strategy we need to provide stability in the public finance position. We have not yet achieved this because we have a deteriorating economic situation.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have seen, through the balanced approach taken, the virulent opposition from all sides in respect of every aspect of what the Government must do to bring about that stability, which is a prerequisite for any prospect of recovery. Without it, recovery will be prolonged. If we want quick recovery, we must accept that budgetary stability is an absolute prerequisite. On whether it is...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are trying to ensure that recapitalisation, if it is to take place, is done in a balanced way which does not require Joe taxpayer to put it up as the first request, which was the view of the Opposition.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Labour Party opposed the bank guarantee scheme. One can only imagine the precarious banking system of which we would be speaking if we did not have that scheme. The plan for economic renewal will be on the basis of social partnership. We will work with the social partners, those who employ and represent workers in this country and with the voluntary pillar and will devise our own...

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will not withdraw it because that is the approach of Fine Gael.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I must contend that the so-called arch strategists of the Opposition, who told me in August——

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——-I am expected to accept a strategy on pay policy——

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am expected to accept a strategy on pay policy which even the Labour Party said last week was confusing. Even the Labour Party, following its big day in Wexford, said there was confusion.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is Members opposite who are shouting.