Results 9,281-9,300 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and we have increased the average industrial wage by €14,500——

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in that period. Despite increasing the average industrial wage by €14,5000, the fact that we have reduced the tax take on those wages by €400 is an example of our pro-enterprise, pro-jobs and pro-investment policies which were far superior to those of any other member state of the European Union.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The particular issues affecting us now with regard to the downside risks that have come to pass, such as higher commodity prices and a global financial crisis, probably the worst we have seen since the 1930s, means an open economy such as ours cannot be immune from these developments. A particular issue on the domestic front also affects our performance, that is the reduction in residential...

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, the Leader of the Opposition destroys the impact of his questions by his exaggeration. There are problems with the economy with which I will deal. This idea that it was wrong to double pensions for pensioners during the good times——

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——that it is was wrong to have increased the number of nurses, gardaí on the streets and teachers in our schools is not right.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Those were the right measures. When we did that, we brought forward surpluses even after capital spend.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not recall any Member on the Opposition side, certainly not from the Fine Gael Party, who suggested the surpluses were not big enough then——

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and that we should have spent less. Let us have some consistency and logic to the arguments being made.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: During that period of what Deputy Enda Kenny calls proliferated spend, we reduced our national debt. The performance of the economy was such that we were able to make up major historic deficits of under-investment, not only in day to day services but also in capital purposes.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Those are the facts. The situation today is different. I accept my responsibilities in respect of everything I have done in public office.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not for the first time ever.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will not have that record misrepresented by Deputy Enda Kenny. He suggests——

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——the Government should not have doubled pensions when it could afford to do so.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Shouting me down after being heard in silence does not make the Deputy's point.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Shouting me down when I give the Deputy an answer does not make his point.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Those increases in old age pensions, for example, will be maintained in real terms when the Minister for Finance stands up in the House to deliver the Budget Statement later. When we were in good times, I am proud that my predecessor——

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and I gave greater increases beyond inflation and at the same time we are in a position to maintain those achievements and progress. I acknowledge there will also be challenges in other areas. I will not accept that the basic strategy of the Government over the past ten years was a mirage and did not benefit our people. It certainly did.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: If we provide the proper and prudent financial management of the economy, those days can return to Ireland despite Deputy Enda Kenny's exaggerated claims that we have gone down.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will lead a Government that will make the necessary decisions to take into account the new economic situation that has now developed, as it has developed elsewhere.

Leader's Questions (14 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will face those challenges with the same capacities as we have faced them in the past.