Results 841-860 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Deputy McManus is just doing a bit of point scoring now. I have given the information, which is what Question Time is about. If she wants to ask a question of Deputy Gormley and try to score a point on some date perhaps she should put it directly.

Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The issue is as I have given it. I am sure Deputy McManus is aware of Cabinet procedures and the circulation of memoranda to Departments for observations. These issues are mentioned in the line Department's observations where they are relevant and they are taken into account in the decision-making process.

Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Membership of the Cabinet sub-committee comprises of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Minister for Finance and myself.

Cabinet Committees (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Yes, I mentioned the Minister for Transport. I hope I have mentioned all of the members. To answer Deputy Ó Caoláin's question, I do not have detailed information that would be accurate to give to him. A question to the line Minister might be best. I do not have it as it was not contemplated.

Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 to 7, inclusive, together. Earlier this year, in view of the long-term absence of Mr. John Coughlan, senior counsel, the sole member of the tribunal, Mr. Justice Moriarty, sought sanction to appoint a senior counsel to replace him. In the event, the judge did not proceed on this basis. Instead, Mr. Justice Moriarty sought and received sanction to appoint a...

Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: With regard to legal resources approved for the tribunal, earlier in the year Mr. Justice Moriarty sought additional resources in view of the long-term unavailability of Mr. Coughlan. Initially, he sought and was given sanction for the tribunal to engage a senior counsel on an ongoing basis to assist it in completing its work. Sanction was also obtained for the engagement of an outside firm...

Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not recall the context in which I made the comments the Deputy ascribes to me. It may have been in the context of a supplementary reply where I was probably making the more general point that if the Government interfered with the tribunal in some way, the political charge would be that we were seeking to undermine it or trying to influence the outcome, because, unfortunately, there was...

Tribunals of Inquiry (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The costs to end-October are of the order of €40.8 million, but third party costs have not yet been addressed. Therefore, the ultimate cost of the tribunal is not yet clear. The indications we have had from correspondence, which I brought to the notice of the House on a previous occasion when we discussed this matter, was that the chairman felt that the cross-examination of Mr. Andersen...

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 to 11, inclusive, together. I have received an agenda for the December European Council. Discussions at the Council will focus on economic policy, including the question of limited treaty change necessary to give effect to the question of a permanent crisis mechanism; progress in the Council on the Commission's legislative proposals on enhanced economic...

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: We will have to examine carefully whatever emerges from the process. It is clear that the European Council is seeking very limited change. We do not have a proposal before us at present. We have engaged in bilateral contacts with the President of the European Council, Mr. Van Rompuy, who continues to assess the situation. We will have to carefully assess what steps are necessary to enable...

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Mr. Van Rompuy has not made personal contact with me on the matter. He continues to consider it but until a proposal emerges and is circulated, we are not in a position to speculate. I have emphasised at previous Council meetings the importance of considering any proposal that emerges. I am not in a position to suggest to anyone the means of ratification that should be applied by the Irish...

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I think it is 16 December but I will have to confirm that.

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I did not set the date for the European Council meeting.

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I certainly hope so.

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I assure the Deputy that I look forward to seeing him in 2011-----

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----in whatever capacity.

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I hope things go well for him.

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Absolutely.

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I always knew there was a sense of humour up there on the backbenches.

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Clearly, we will have to take advice once a proposal is brought forward. It will be a matter for the House to discuss on its return. I expect that statements on the European Council can be taken after Christmas as we deal with the various legislative enactments, I hope, pertaining to the budget that will be passed on 7 December.