Results 9,381-9,400 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to the first matter raised by the Deputy, one must continue to be hopeful that we can overcome the difficulties that have arisen and we will continue to work to see if they can be resolved. It has been disappointing that has not been the case thus far. The deferral or postponement of Executive meetings is not a good practice in terms of developing relationships and trust. It has...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I join Deputy Ó Caoláin in offering my sympathy to Martin McGuinness and the other members of his family on the death of their mother. I did so personally yesterday in any event. I accept that Sinn Féin is committed to partnership. It is important that we get everyone around the table in a working relationship. It is correct that certain issues are long overdue for resolution and that...

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Minister for Foreign Affairs will handle the issue regarding the group the Deputy mentioned, but I have not discussed it with him. With regard to the loyalist paramilitaries, I will discuss this issue with the Minister on another occasion. I have not done so yet.

Official Engagements. (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The substance of the work is what is important. I do not have any views one way or the other with regard to what organisational format should be provided. Generally speaking, the party opposite would be of the view we should, where possible, try to increase the level of responsibility of some of these organisations and see whether we can pull them together. On the point made by Deputy...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 23, Electoral (Amendment) Bill 2008 — Second Stage (resumed); and No. 24, Broadcasting Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed). Private Members' business shall be No. 49, motion re unemployment (resumed) to conclude at 8.30 p.m., if not previously concluded.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The point being made by Deputy Kenny demonstrates the problem involved with people asking us to be specific about when something will be brought to the House and we in good faith saying it should be here next week, but then other developments take place in the interim. Initially we were talking about the six Irish banks, as set out in the original guarantee statement. Concerns arose during...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is fair. The Whips will meet this evening and we will keep in touch as regards what is happening. It is a question of making sure the work covers all the bases and meets the requirements of the various people who are indicating an interest.

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I have said, as soon as the scheme is available, ready and approved by the Cabinet, it will be brought to the House and subject to the Whips' agreement on when it will be taken. Obviously, people are indicating that they would like to take it as quickly as possible. We are having a discussion and I was asked when I felt it could be taken, and I replied that it will be more than likely next...

Order of Business (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let us be fair, Deputy Costello. This situation arose in very extraordinary circumstances. Decisions had to be taken and legislation was brought before the House. The Minister for Finance was as expansive as he could be in explaining the reasoning behind it and what we were trying to achieve. The legislation allowed people to discuss how this would work in practice. The UK Chancellor of the...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The contractual arrangements and conditions of employment in respect of the HSE and its staff refer to the recommendations of the review body on higher remuneration in the public sector. This is about trying to ensure one provides a pay scale that relates to performance based on setting targets. The principles of higher remuneration in the public sector were about trying to bring...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: These are matters for the HSE board in terms of contractual obligations and conditions of employment. Clearly, I expect it will take into account the new economic situation with which we are contending. While bonus schemes can be in place, the question of whether they are approved and paid depends on these performance related issues being confirmed and completed over the period of that year....

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I pointed out, contractual issues are raised and while the Leader of the Opposition might like to ignore them, they cannot be ignored and must be dealt with. I also made the point that bonus systems must be based on performance related criteria.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The populist argument can be made by the Opposition day and night, as it always is, but that must be related to performance targets and part of the question of public sector reform and getting people into the public sector was ensuring we had bonus systems which correlate to the private sector.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: This was proposed and agreed by people because it was a way of bringing private sector people into the public sector pay scales. We agreed this was the way to proceed. The HSE board must take into account the new economic situation we face. One cannot decide willy-nilly to break conditions of employment. One must ensure the performance-related criteria are stringent and ambitious.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The HSE board makes those decisions and that is right. That is how it is in respect of every bonus payment scheme. With regard to the more general issue related to consultancy and the McKinsey report, this issue is to ensure that in the reorganisation which has been taking place the management system interrelates between the community care system and the acute hospital system. Changes are...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Despite all that has been said by the Opposition, measurable improvements have been made in what has been taking place in a range of activities.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes, there have.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Many people using the health service are far more satisfied with it now than they were in the past.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: There are continuing problems but rather than defending the present method of delivery in the system perhaps the Opposition should support the reforms needed and proposed in many instances by the HSE——

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in an effort to improve the delivery of services. That would be a far more constructive approach than the approach it is taking today.