Results 861-880 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The question of whether a referendum is required can be determined only when a specific proposal is put to us. It is not the case that a referendum is automatically required in respect of any proposed amendment. It depends on compliance with the constitutional position, based on case law and the established principles set out in various important cases which indicated the position of the...

Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 6, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimates [Votes 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 28, 32, 34, 37 and 38]; No. 7, motion re referral of Supplementary Estimates [Votes 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 28, 32, 34, 37 and 38] to select committee; and No. 3, Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (No. 2) Bill 2010 - Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed,...

Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I do not wish to cross the Ceann Comhairle in any way. The Ceann Comhairle has asked for order in the House and, unfortunately, it seems some Deputies refuse to give any respect to the Chair.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: There is no problem but it has to be in order. There are ways of doing these things. Once the Order of Business is agreed, the Deputy can ask a question. That is the normal situation. We are just putting the Order of Business at the minute.

Order of Business (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is fine. If the Deputy is objecting to the Order of Business, he can vote on it and then ask the question. I will answer it anyway because I answered it yesterday. We are bringing forward a plan for this country and for recovery over the next four years. The first instalment of that plan will be on 7 December, when the decisions taken will be put to the House and we will see if this...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: In respect of Deputy Kenny's remarks, I outlined the position yesterday regarding the timeline for the budget, which has been a matter of agreement between the Commissioner and the Minister for Finance. It is a timeline they obviously find to be acceptable and the Government now must proceed with the four-year plan that is being published today. It is not a question of there being further,...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: We must all be responsible in relation to this matter. To allay any fears, worries or concerns the public may have, I point out to the Deputy that our banking system is fully supported by the European Central Bank in respect of its funding. On the question of capital, we have seen capitalisation provided to the banks heretofore. The Deputy will also be aware that any increase in...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will respond to the second half of Deputy Kenny's question. The sustainability of our debt burden is an important part of how we proceed. I am confident that if we get an outcome we will be in a position to manage that situation. Again, that remains part of the negotiations and we need to await the outcome of those negotiations.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: We are in the midst of discussions with the partners regarding these matters. The discussions are not finalised. It would be wrong of me to pre-empt the outcome of those negotiations at this time, but I will be as helpful as I can in the circumstances, consistent with the right interests of the country and the negotiations as they stand. That is all I can do. With regard to the temporary...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am in no way seeking to avoid my responsibility to keep the public informed. The Deputy has acknowledged that there are ongoing negotiations and acknowledged this in respect of the interest rate and other matters. No decisions on bank restructuring have yet taken place. I am not holding back with regard to any issue. The Deputy may consider various scenarios. They have been discussed in...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----that he would kick it further down the road. We would not get the segregation of assets, we would not get the transparency, we would not get the cost of the distressed assets, and we would not have parked them somewhere else outside the banking system, enabling the banks in some way to try to get to the market on the basis of having the ability to fund themselves given the level of...

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is precisely a bum steer. This is where Deputy Gilmore's policy falls apart. He does not have a banking policy that is supported by anybody. No guarantee at the time-----

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Shouting me down will not win the argument. Not putting in place a guarantee at the time would have resulted in the implosion of the economy and the closure of the banks within days, as confirmed in the Honohan report.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is what the report says. The Deputies should read it. The Labour Party revised its view in order to gain some respectability by stating it was only talking about subordinated debt, which it stated should not have been guaranteed on the basis that it constituted only 3% of the total volume. The view is that if one were not supposed to guarantee 3%, one should not have guaranteed 97%....

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: All recapitalisation would have had to have been achieved by the taxpayer in that case. We are now told the Labour Party does not support the NAMA process, that it would keep the losses in the banking system, kick the matter down the road and get through it somehow, and that, hey presto, because Deputy Gilmore would be in charge, the banks would be repaired and all would be well.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is not a policy; that is what I would define as a bum steer considering the very difficult circumstances the country is in.

Leaders' Questions (24 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That is the truth of the matter. We are building on policies that are being supported by those who are prepared to support the country now precisely because they believe the difficult initiatives we have taken were the right ones to take.

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together. I am satisfied that there are satisfactory procedures and facilities in place in my Department for the preservation and archiving of all records, whether in electronic or paper form or otherwise. My Department complies with the requirements of the National Archives Act 1986 which stipulates that all official records, regardless of their...

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Until the National Archives takes custody of my Department's records or alternative measures to ensure the preservation and accessibility of the records prior to eventual transfer to the National Archives, my Department will continue to retain electronic documents and records indefinitely. The electronic records are held in my Department and there is sufficient storage to hold those records;...

Departmental Records (23 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I am not suggesting the Minister of State, Deputy Mansergh is incorrect. No data has been archived to date as there is sufficient capacity on the storage area network to accommodate all electronic records in my Department. Under the National Archives Act 1986, there is an obligation on Departments to preserve records created and received in the course of performing official functions, to...