Results 9,261-9,280 of 10,577 for speaker:Barry Cowen

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Youth Guarantee (16 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will detail her plans for a youth guarantee to be discussed during Ireland's Presidency of the EU Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44400/12]

Written Answers — Department of An Taoiseach: Departmental Legal Costs (16 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: To ask the Taoiseach the expected total legal costs to be incurred in his Department in 2012; his proposals to reduce these costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44316/12]

Other Questions: Broadcasting Legislation (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: I do not believe the original question sought the Minister's opinion on whether he would amend the legislation to cater for the forthcoming referendum. It was tabled because it would be interesting to get the views of the Minister who is responsible for this area on the legislation as it stands. We are facing into a campaign on a referendum to enshrine children's rights in the Constitution....

Other Questions: Broadcasting Legislation (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: Surely the Minister can express an opinion on how he might interpret it, or how it should be interpreted.

Other Questions: EU Directives (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: I note that the Minister will bring a memorandum to the Cabinet regarding the methods through which he hopes to meet the demands of the new directive. It is claimed that every year until 2020, some 90,000 Irish homes will need significant energy upgrades if the country is to adhere to its legal obligations under the directive. In light of research indicating that fewer than 50,000 homes...

Other Questions: Broadband Services Provision (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: My party supports the target of 70 to 100 Mbps for at least 50% of the population, as contained in the plan. However, the Minister's reply is high on rhetoric and low on substance and I have numerous questions because of that. How is it proposed to ensure universal coverage at high speeds? Broadband penetration in many rural areas is less than 20%. There is no specific detail as to how...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Digital Television Service Availability (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on whether all television viewers will make the switch from analogue to digital television in advance of the 24 October 2012 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43956/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Digital Television Service Availability (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: I thank the Minister for his reply. It appears that his management of the programme has been very successful. This is something one could have envisaged were one to examine the Minister's political career and his expertise in switchovers, and I had no doubt that he would succeed in this regard. It has also been significantly more successful than the efforts of the Minister for the...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Gas and Electricity Disconnections (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his views on the 30% increase in gas prices over the past year; the actions he will take to keep energy prices down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43955/12]

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Gas and Electricity Disconnections (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: I note the Minister's abdication of responsibility in respect of the role of the Commissioner for Energy Regulation in pricing. On the latest hike in gas prices, it is incredible that in August, when Bord Gáis Energy applied to the Commission for Energy Regulation for a 7.5% increase in residential gas tariffs to commence in October, the regulator not only approved the application but...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Gas and Electricity Disconnections (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: Does the Minister have an opinion on whether the increases in the tariff are causing fuel poverty?

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: The Minister does not want to be drawn into it.

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: It is one the Minister cannot win.

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: Is it part of the Government's reform agenda?

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: Is it on the C list?

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: This was a regressive move by the Government that damages the concept of sustainable development and, again, exposes the failure of Government to match rhetoric with action.

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: It is back to the question of rhetoric and action.

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: The Government has not matched its actions with the rhetoric when it talks about climate change.

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: Ask the shopkeepers? I will tell the Minister about the shopkeepers.

Framework for Sustainable Development in Ireland: Statements (11 Oct 2012)

Barry Cowen: Ask them about the upward-only rent reviews. Ask them about changes to the means and mechanisms by which rates are valued.