Results 9,201-9,220 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I want to make it clear that if this is the Fine Gael position — it was their stated public position on the "Prime Time" programme last night — they are required to find another €5 billion in expenditure cuts to make that budget stick. That is the reality.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Those are the facts. Whether one is on the Opposition benches or the Government benches, two plus two is four, and you add the zeros later.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore decries all the methods of raising tax revenue. I do not believe it is the view of the Labour Party that we should cut expenditure further — I do not think that is its position. I have heard what Deputy Gilmore had to say in regard to some tax expenditures. We will debate those in the House and assess their impact, and at least we can have a debate that might make sense....

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the specific point raised by Deputy Gilmore, the medical card is available for GP services.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The VHI does not provide cover for GP services.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let us be clear. That is not the situation.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Excuse me——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The position is——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am making the point and shouting me down will not change it.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Shouting me down will not change it.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: With respect, I am not wrong. VHI does not cover GP services and the medical card does cover those services. Let me make it very clear, I very much regret the fact——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Just so we get the full flavour of consistency, as I wish to deal with Deputy Gilmore's substantive point——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy James Reilly, when he was chairman of the IMO's GP committee, condemned the Government's decision to offer medical cards to all pensioners over 70. His position was that it was not acceptable. Now, of course, he decries the fact that we have changed that arrangement.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I presume the Deputy is proud of the fact that, when he was chairman of that GP committee, he negotiated four times the charge for people in less disadvantaged areas than in disadvantaged areas. He effectively got a payment——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: He effectively achieved a payment of €641 for every such person who was on the GP list.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: That was what was negotiated——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and €85 million of the cost in that regard goes directly to GPs.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: On Deputy Gilmore's point, I very much regret that this was a necessary decision. I would like to have been in a position to say the present situation could have continued, but it was not possible in the context of all the decisions that had to be taken——

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——because we have €6.5 billion less in revenue than was anticipated.

Leaders' Questions (15 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: In that regard, a very balanced approach was taken which sees expenditure cuts of over €2 billion——