Results 9,101-9,120 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not suggesting the electorate is naive. I will be clear and reiterate what I said. I stated the idea that rejection carries no consequences is naive in the extreme in terms of where our interests are in Europe in the short, medium and long term. There are no illusions about this. The idea from Deputy Ó Caoláin that there are 26 willing partners available to renegotiate a treaty...

Official Engagements. (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have every idea because when Deputy Ó Caoláin went back to the constituency of Cavan-Monaghan, I went to Brussels and asked colleagues whether they were open to renegotiating the treaty.

Official Engagements. (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: They do not wish to re-ratify or renegotiate the treaty. We can decide not to ratify the treaty if we wish. The consequences which flow from it will affect our interests. Any suggestion to the contrary is naive in the extreme. It is my job as leader of the country to go to the people and institutions and discuss those issues which were of concern to us to see in what way they can assist...

Order of Business (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 10, motion re membership of committees; No. 16, statements on European Council, Brussels; and No. 17, Charities Bill 2007 — Order for Report and Report and Final Stages. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 10 shall be decided without debate; the proceedings on No. 16 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion...

Leaders' Questions (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Leader of the Opposition has already pointed out, a Private Members' motion has been tabled and a debate will take place this evening and tomorrow, during which all of these issues can be addressed in some detail. The Government has had to allocate scarce resources and the Department of Education and Science has been given increased resources this year, unlike many other Departments....

Leaders' Questions (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Last week, Deputy Brian Hayes indicated that implementing a pay freeze for teachers who earn over €50,000 would save €128 million a year. The proposal Deputy Kenny is now making is that such a pay freeze should apply to all public servants, but we work in partnership with public service unions. In fact, we want to work in partnership on this issue as well. Social partnership is not...

Leaders' Questions (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept the contention that the proposed changes will put children at an irreversible disadvantage or lead to a drastic reduction in service. We are talking about going back to the situation that pertained in 2007 which itself was far better than preceding years. That is what the Minister is putting forward——

Leaders' Questions (29 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: This decision must be implemented in order to meet the budgetary parameters that we have set ourselves. That is what the Government is committed to doing.

Written Answers — Departmental Appointments: Departmental Appointments (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO), comprising the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) was established under the National Economic and Social Development Office Act 2006. Appointments made have been in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act.

Written Answers — Political Agreements: Political Agreements (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I have previously confirmed to the House, my predecessor as Leader of the Fianna Fáil Party entered into political agreements with a number of individual independent deputies. Following my election as Leader of Fianna Fáil, I confirmed to the Deputies concerned that I intend to continue to implement those arrangements. The agreements are confidential but they are based on the Programme...

Written Answers — Icelandic Investments: Icelandic Investments (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Neither my Department nor any of the bodies under its aegis have invested funds in Icelandic financial products.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 188 together. There are no proposals to decentralise my Department and accordingly the information sought regarding costs, does not apply. It is a matter for those Departments to which staff from my Department have decentralised to assign such staff to locations outside of Dublin.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 190 and 194 together. In the past five years one Assistant Secretary aged 59, one Executive Officer aged 53 and one Staff Officer aged 53 availed of the cost neutral early retirement option as governed by the Department of Finance Circular 10/2005. All of these retired staff were replaced by staff of the same grade, whose average annual salary is as...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Personal information belonging to members of the public is not generally collected by, or stored, in the Department's electronic systems. There are, however, a number of specific measures in place in my Department to protect all data which is held electronically on portable devices: All staff in my Department are issued with a copy of the Policy on IT Usage; All staff who have been approved...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The average level of staff absenteeism within my Department during the past five years is listed in the table below. Year No. of staff (whole time equivalent) Average No. of days lost per employee 2003 220.20 6.00 2004 215.50 4.85 2005 213.28 4.92 2006 214.96 5.10 2007 219.89 5.50

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The average level of staff absenteeism within each of the bodies within my Department during the past five years are listed in the following tables. 1. Central Statistics Office (CSO) Year No. of staff (whole time equivalent) Average No. of days lost per employee 2003 686 13.67 2004 587 14.41 2005 676 11.63 2006 781 11.72 2007 802 12.17 2. National Economic and Social Development...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The information concerning the staff of bodies within the remit of my Department who availed of the Early Retirement Scheme in each of the past three years, is listed below. 1. Central Statistics Office (CSO) Year Grade Number of staff Age Reason 2008 Staff Officer 1 52 Cost Neutral Early Retirement Option Clerical Officer 1 50 Cost Neutral Early Retirement Option 2007 None — —...

Freedom of Information. (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together. The following table sets out the information requested by the Deputies regarding freedom of information requests received by my Department. All such requests are processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003. Under those Acts, I have no role in regard to the...

Freedom of Information. (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Ceann Comhairle has pointed out on previous occasions, the Minister for Finance bears responsibility for the Freedom of Information Acts. I am answering in respect of the operation of the Acts in my Department. Regarding Deputy Kenny's more general question in regard to fees, there is no charge for personal information. The up-front fee is €15 and the internal review fee is €75....

Freedom of Information. (21 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: This is the difficulty. I have information specifically relating to my Department, but the general policy issues regarding a possible extension, revision of fees or amending legislation as a result of reports from various Oireachtas committees or from the Information Commissioner, who, in her annual report, sets out her views, are a matter for Government and the Oireachtas to decide....