Results 8,921-8,940 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Not yet but I inquired.

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I always try to be helpful within the rules. On Deputy Gilmore's first point, I am not suggesting for a moment that we would take actions that would be regarded as in any way hostile to US investment in Ireland. It would not be in our national interests to do so.

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: While I accept that things are said in campaign speeches, I do not minimise the import of what has been said. I do not wish to draw conclusions which may be adverse to our interests as to do so would be to take a leap too far. As I stated, this type of issue has arisen in the past in terms of treatment of tax treaties, etc., and we have always negotiated, worked and used the goodwill of our...

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: What was wrong with that?

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will not find that in there.

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not like Deputy Gilmore to fail to press home a point when he has material in his hand. I know he paraphrased me as the word he ascribes to me was not used. I wish to set out the situation more accurately. I do not have plans to speak to President-elect Obama. On behalf of the Irish people, Government and Parliament, I have congratulated him on his success and extended our...

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The question of US policy in Iraq is a matter for the United States. I point out that all troops there are there at the request of the democratically elected Iraqi Government on foot of UN resolutions, so we have moved on considerably from the initial situation. These are matters for the bilateral arrangements that exist between the Iraqi Government and the United States, as regards what is...

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy would be the first Galway man.

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the questions asked by Deputy Ó Caoláin, there is no basis for his contention that the Garda does not do its duty in the matter in question just as in other matters. The Garda, if it is to act lawfully, can only act on reasonable suspicion and cannot act on any other basis. The assurances we have received from a friendly country, namely, the United States, are ones we...

Official Engagements. (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Enright assiduously agrees on that point. In response to Deputy Shatter, I did not meet the President of Iran. Were we to meet in our bilateral relations with the Republic of Iran at ministerial level, we would, of course, reiterate strongly the common position of the European Union on the continuing refusal of Iran to comply with the International Atomic Energy Agency's, IAEA,...

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 17, Charities Bill 2007 — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stages; No. 16, Financial Motions by the Minister for Finance 2009, motion 15 (resumed), to be taken immediately after Private Members' business and the order shall not resume thereafter. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and...

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Mechanisms are available to Deputies, such as Private Members' business, for considering matters. I am not in a position to accede to the request made by Deputy Gilmore. It is up to Members to use the procedures of the House in that respect. In regard to the matters he raised, we have as part of our arrangements for a revised medical card scheme provided for a group which will meet under...

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: In respect of promised legislation, which is the second issue raised by Deputy Kenny, the programme for Government commits the Government to legislating for civil partnership. We will fulfil that commitment within the current constitutional context and developing case law. It is imperative to stress that the general scheme of the civil partnership Bill has been drafted within a...

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Work can only begin on the legislation to which the Deputy's second question referred on foot of the policy decisions announced in recent weeks. We will proceed with that in due course and as quickly as appropriate or possible. In regard to the first matter raised by the Deputy, it is our intention to publish a civil partnership Bill next year. I cannot indicate when exactly that will be...

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of the details of the matter but the Government will of course consider any Private Members' Bill that is brought forward. It is the entitlement of every Member of the House to bring forward such legislation and, where it has merit and is in line with Government policy, it can be considered for a common approach, if possible. I cannot give an undertaking to the Deputy, however.

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I know that.

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will speak to the Minster about the matter and revert to Deputy Quinn on it.

Order of Business (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Housing Bill is on Committee Stage in the Seanad. The Minister will bring forward a Finance Bill to give effect to many of the budgetary announcements. If a legislative base is required, that may be the mechanism for that proposal. The Attorney General will provide advice to us on the apartments question, which was raised by another Member on yesterday's Order of Business. We will...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I join with Deputy Kenny in wishing Senator Obama well in the transition which must take place before he takes office in the new year as President of the United States. We look forward to maintaining a good relationship with the incoming Administration, as we have had with the outgoing one. I do not agree with Deputy Kenny on his perception of cynicism and pessimism. If that is a trait he...

Leaders' Questions (5 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Of course I have a view on this. Were Deputy Kenny to send me a copy of the letter, I will follow it up. Clearly, if clarification is being sought on a person wishing——