Results 9,401-9,420 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: With regard to the guarantee scheme, this has been an evolving situation. I want to make it clear to the House that work on the scheme being carried out by officials of the Department of Finance, the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator is continuing with a view to finalising it as quickly as possible. The boards of the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the Central Bank...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am answering the question.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Stagg, I will answer the question.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Is that right?

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Regardless of whether Deputy Stagg interrupts, this is a quite complicated situation——

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and I do not accept that one should be blasé about it, given what is being done. The Government must take account of what is developing. Developments took place yesterday and this morning in the United Kingdom of which we must take cognisance. I am being careful to ensure this State takes an appropriate, rather than an inordinate, risk. This is what I am trying to ensure.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: No. It is important to do so.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: We also were obliged to take account of the European Commissioner's views on these matters. We are having constructive and co-operative engagements with all those parties, including those who have indicated they may have an interest in applying for the scheme.

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Stagg, this is the answer to the question. I refer to the other specific matter raised by Deputy Gilmore regarding what debt is being guaranteed by the State. On the basis of the advice we have received from the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator, the assets of the banks to which the guarantee relates exceed their liabilities. We are not including tier one capital arrangements,...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——this was the arrangement to which the Government came. I believe this arrangement has helped to bring some stabilisation to the liquidity question. The further issue as to how the banks should move from here is an issue that must be dealt with by the sector, by regulation and by ourselves as we interact with them on the basis of the guarantee scheme when it comes before the House for...

Leaders' Questions (8 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I have explained, the advice in respect of all these matters and in respect of all policy decisions was taken from the appropriate bodies, namely, the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator.

Written Answers — Legislative Responsibilities: Legislative Responsibilities (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Office of the Attorney General is responsible for the maintenance of the electronic Irish Statute Book (www.irishstatutebook.ie). The eISB currently contains all Acts passed in the years 1922 to 2008 up to and including Act Number 12 of 2008 and all Statutory Instruments made since 1922, up to and including SI No. 350 of 2005. It also contains a link to pdf versions of Statutory...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 9, Supplementary Estimate for Public Services [Vote 31]; No. 10, motion re leave to introduce Supplementary Estimate [Vote 40]; No. 11, motion re referral of Supplementary Estimate [Vote 40] to select committee; No. 12, motion re referral to select committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the terms of the instruments as contemplated by Article 3(2) of the...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: The position on the second matter to which the Deputy refers is to see whether a consensus can emerge from the committee on the best way to proceed. Fianna Fáil members on the committee have brought forward a substantial submission in an attempt to assist in that effort to build a consensus. However, as the Leader of the Opposition stated, the Government has not yet come to a conclusion on...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: Hopefully. I will be meeting the Minister for Finance on his return in order to obtain an update briefing on where matters stand regarding the preparation of the scheme. I understand preparation of the scheme has been ongoing over the weekend. Developments have been made as a result of the meetings that took place. An attempt is being made to finalise the scheme in a way that it will, if...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is being considered is bringing forward the scheme and laying it before the Houses of the Oireachtas for discussion in order that people might give their views on it. I will be obliged to discuss with the Minister for Finance what will be the exact mechanics of the process. I am aware that he sought to provide an assurance that the scheme would be brought before the House this week....

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: In the first instance, the Minister for Finance must be given an opportunity to brief me and the Government on the up-to-date position. We will then be obliged to take account of the various emerging and evolving issues. It is important that we get this matter right. In getting it right we must take into account whatever views are expressed at various fora. We must also show our...

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is on the list because it is a priority set by the Department. However, whether it is taken this or next session depends on whether we make progress on the work involved. There are important Bills for the House this session. Given that the budget is being taken early, we will have to deal with the Finance Bill and the Social Welfare Bill. We will have to see how we get on.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand the air transport pre-clearance legislation is due to be introduced next year.

Order of Business (7 Oct 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the dentists Bill, a consultative process was launched to lead to the development of a national oral health policy. This new policy is to involve a comprehensive review of service delivery, manpower planning and training and the regulation of the dental profession in Ireland. It will make wide-ranging recommendations on oral health policy for the next ten years. It was originally...