Results 8,421-8,440 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: Members opposite cannot take it. They can give it but they cannot take it.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The bottom line is, I am not taking it from them.

Leaders' Questions (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The bottom line is — I can produce the statements — that Deputy Bruton in August criticised the fact that we did not conclude the negotiations, in September congratulated me on bringing them to a conclusion and now says I should not have an agreement in place. Members opposite are now suggesting we should cut pay by 10%.

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. These questions relate to the findings of the Quigley report, which was published in 2005. That report highlighted the need for special care in cases where a proposed consultancy comprises an element of direct service to a Minister or Minister of State, particularly in the public relations or communications area, and-or where a...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to what progress has been made in implementing the remainder of the recommendations contained in the Quigley report, the first point to make is that by immediately drawing up and issuing the additional guidelines, all recommendations relevant to my Department were implemented. In regard to recommendations addressed to other Departments, I understand the position to be as follows. A...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: As part of our savings, we introduced a 50% cut across all these areas. The point here is that many offices serve Departments and Ministers in respect of dealing with the media and public affairs, etc., who are themselves career civil servants; not all of them are brought in but some are and it is a matter of preference for Ministers who may have built up a relationship with people in this...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to how many cases referred to the Government Secretariat under the procedure have received the Taoiseach's approval, seven cases coming within the terms of the guidelines have been processed so far. In September of this year, I agreed to the appointment of a consultant by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to conduct a facilitation exercise in connection...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not have that information but I will get it for the Deputy.

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have asked for 50% reductions in PR contracts as part of our savings in the July initiative. That has been carried out. On the question of how it is decided whether to use somebody in-house or to get somebody from outside, it is a matter in many instances for the Minister. Under the guidelines Ministers have an entitlement to bring two or three advisers with him or her to a Department...

Public Relations Contracts. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: A committee is not involved; the Minister for Finance is involved in the approval process. Arising out of an initiative that arose some years ago, the Quigley report indicated, where a Department proposed to engage consultants, that fact must be brought to the attention of the Taoiseach where there is an element of direct service to a Minister, especially in the PR-communications area, or if...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. My Department currently has one item of legislation on the B list of the Government legislation programme, the Statute Law Revision Bill. That is the latest element in the statute law revision project. In preparation for the Bill, work has been completed on the analysis of local and personal Acts up to and including 1850, and...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the second part of the Deputy's question, I do not believe legislation will be required. I am not sure that a statutory basis should be provided when establishing a forum but obviously the preparatory committees in both the Oireachtas and the Assembly in Northern Ireland can consider the means by which it can be put in place. I welcome the establishment, at the earliest possible...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: The report of the task force on the public service identified a range of actions that will require enabling statutory provision. It is likely, however, that as the report's recommendations are implemented, the case for further legislative provision will arise. The forthcoming White Paper on local government will also necessitate new legislation, which may provide an opportune vehicle for...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am aware that on one occasion there was a Minister of State in the Department of Fisheries who was regarded as an outstanding drafter of legislation. I understand his name was Deputy Eamon Gilmore.

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am just making the point that when the Deputy recalls his own particular skillsets, drafting legislation was not one of them.

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not unfair but was offered in the same spirit in which the question was asked. The legislative priorities for the Government——

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am more resilient that he thinks. The legislative priorities for the Government in the current session are as per the A list which was published in September 2008. Five of those Bills have been published and a further three that were not on the list were published. We will review the priorities for the next session in the normal course and a new list will be published in January. The...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: For the purpose of shortening the Order of Business——

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——which I would greatly welcome, I will answer. That Bill was approved by Government this week. Its purpose, simply, is to amend the Health Acts in respect of the automatic entitlement, regarding means. As the Deputy knows, the reforms we are to introduce mean that 19 of 20 existing cardholders will retain their medical card entitlement. The change will concern people on incomes well...

Proposed Legislation. (3 Dec 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will check——