Results 9,361-9,380 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Anything that can be done at that point to retain liquidity in the banking system — and obtain further liquidity as a result of our State guarantee — is the whole motivation behind everything we do in this matter. It comes from the appropriate advice we take.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 5, inclusive, together. On 24 May 2008, I travelled to Cardiff to meet with the First Minister of Wales, Mr. Rhodri Morgan. I was accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Micheál Martin, and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen. The meeting was an excellent opportunity to build on our bilateral relationship as...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As Deputy Kenny has stated, I took the opportunity on going to the match to meet with Mr. Rhodri Morgan. That is obvious.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It was not couched a different way.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not couched any way. It is a question of——

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Of course I am entitled to go. I will not ask the Deputy's permission either, by the way. The Deputy should not worry about it.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We can all play the old smart ass game.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not taking an attitude. That is the Deputy's attitude.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I get questions and read out replies. If the Deputy asks a supplementary question I can clarify the position. It is not a big deal. The bottom line is I met Mr. Rhodri Morgan on a number of occasions. In fact I brought him to a match in Lansdowne Road two years ago.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: When he came to Lansdowne Road he took the opportunity of paying the courtesy of calling to see me and I did the same when I went there. It is not a big deal. We discussed various issues about Wales and Ireland, our bilateral relationship, promotion of the Irish and Welsh languages and his interest in education. He has a very good knowledge of the country, as the Deputy knows, and has...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Does the Deputy have a question?

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Thanks.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The questions relate to a meeting in Cardiff and a meeting of the British-Irish Council in Edinburgh. I do not have information in supplementary form on the issues the Deputy raises, which are matters best dealt with by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: No, internal matters of the jurisdictions represented at the British-Irish Council are not the subject of discussion. Discussions take place on matters of common concern based on a set agenda. The next of set of questions will provide an opportunity to raise these matters.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I indicated, the Council exchanged information and discussed issues related to the current global economic position, as well as demographic and energy issues. The question of the extent to which we can develop offshore energy infrastructure between Northern Ireland and Scotland, with the possible involvement of other jurisdictions, arose on the energy side. The Minister for...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was late in attending the meeting but do not believe these issues were raised in the discussion led by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: No.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It was not part of the agenda.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 21, inclusive, together. The visit of President George Bush to Northern Ireland in June as part of his European tour was an opportunity for the Irish, British and United States Governments to meet the political parties to discuss a range of political and economic issues. When President Bush, Prime Minister Brown and I met First Minister Peter Robinson...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the Deputy's first matter, again, as I said, issues involving intelligence and security are dealt with by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in terms of his ongoing contact with his counterparts across the water. I understand that various assertions or contentions were made in a television programme which are being followed up on the British side. As soon as that...