Results 9,021-9,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: At the same time, however, the Deputy is telling me not to kowtow to bullying exercises. There is no bullying taking place; member states are stating positions. Ireland must decide where this leaves us, what we want to do about it and which of the concerns raised it will be possible to have addressed in a way that would give people more confidence on some of the issues. That is my job and...

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I did.

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I did.

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: Okay.

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: No newspaper can anticipate Government decisions. They can write about them and there are many items in the average Sunday newspaper and in daily newspapers. I would have to spend a great deal of time here talking to the Deputy if I was answerable for every one of them.

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will leave that aside for the moment. The first point is that no decision has been taken on a second referendum. The second point is that the situation at the moment is as the people decided last May. The third point is that the 26 other member states have given their views as a result of that and, fourth, it is my job to work with them to see whether the concerns raised in the...

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not have any supplementary information on the last point raised by the Deputy. I have no problem talking to Opposition party leaders before the December Council meeting. No provision was made in the Estimates for a referendum next year because no decision has been taken. Calls for a constitutional amendment to enshrine children's rights under the Constitution have been referred to....

Constitutional Amendments. (4 Nov 2008)

Brian Cowen: I cannot anticipate any Government decision. As of today, that is the situation. I have explained what the Government is attempting to achieve in its work with colleagues at the European level, arising out of the various European Councils we have had and the conclusions that have been reached since the most recent referendum. I do not wish to anticipate any decision until we see how this...

Written Answers — Ministerial Staff: Ministerial Staff (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I appointed seven Special Advisers since my appointment as Taoiseach. Their total annual salaries, including pension contributions, are detailed in the attached table. Title Annual Salary including pension contributions â'¬ Programme Manager/Special Adviser 221,929 Special Adviser 131,748 Special Adviser 131,748 Special Adviser 94,785 Special Adviser 204,952 Special Adviser (to...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 178 together. The estimated cost of incremental pay increases awarded to existing staff in this Department and the agencies under its aegis in 2008 and 2009 is detailed in the table. Table: Estimated cost of increments Department/Agencies Estimated cost 2008 Estimated Cost 2009 € € Department of the Taoiseach 202,000.00 201,000.00 National...

Written Answers — Tribunals of Inquiry: Tribunals of Inquiry (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Moriarty Tribunal was established in September 1997 and is expected to complete its final report by the end of this year. The total cost incurred by my Department in respect of it up to 30 September 2008 (the latest date for which figures are available) is €33,530,713. The full cost to the Exchequer will, of course, only be known after publication of the Tribunal's final Report and...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Civil service posts at the levels of Assistant Secretary and Deputy Secretary are covered by a scheme of performance related awards. The operation of the scheme is overseen by the Committee for Performance Awards. The funding for awards is based on 10% of the payroll for the posts covered by the scheme. Within this overall limit, payments of up to 20% can be made to individuals. Details of...

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will get in early for a seat.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Is that the Labour Party's position?

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Does Deputy Costello believe that for one moment?

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We have to stand up for ourselves once in a while.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I can listen to the contributions but cannot stay for the questions and answers.

European Council: Statements (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will stay.

Order of Business (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I reject the idea that there is anything vindictive in this matter.

Order of Business (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The reason——