Results 9,461-9,480 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——that Deputy Kenny was making. If the Deputies do not want me to make a point, I will leave it at that. I have listened intently to what Members have said. The situation is that we have been informed that the final version of the Bill will be available at 9.45 p.m. and that the debate can begin at 10 p.m. The idea behind bringing the legislation forward today is to give legislative...

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We would like to proceed. I accept that it has required the forbearance of the Opposition. Members opposite will understand that decisions were made early this morning and the statement of principle made at 7 a.m, after which a Cabinet meeting took place at which the heads of the Bill were approved. Officials have been working to get this to the House this evening. However, it is a...

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: May I be of assistance, a Cheann Comhairle? I have listened to what all the Deputies have said and it is important that we are in a position to conduct our business as best we can, given the exigencies of the situation and the importance of the legislation we are passing. Given the views expressed and out of respect for the co-operation of the House in regard to these matters, we should be...

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Without wishing to engage in point scoring, it is not a question of chaotic preparation, it is a question of people working very hard to achieve the objective we set out for ourselves.

Business of Dáil: Motion (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: There was no chaotic preparation. There are times when we can try to score points but this is not such an occasion. I am simply saying, in deference to everybody in the House, that we need a sensible arrangement so that a sufficiently positive signal can be sent to the markets by the completion of Second Stage of the Bill this evening. Let us proceed on that basis without trying to make...

Order of Business (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 13 — motion re ministerial rota for parliamentary questions; No. 13a — Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008 — Financial Resolution; and No. a3 — Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that Nos. 13 and 13a shall be decided without...

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: On a point of information, in the event of there being a future situation where one had to work out the assets of an institution, if it emerged after working out those assets that there was a deficit, clearly the sector would pay for the difference through a levy over time rather than expecting the taxpayer——

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: In the same way, I gave the earlier example of the insurance company.

Credit Institutions (Financial Support) Bill 2008: Second Stage (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That would be predicated on the idea of a failure.

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Kenny for his offer of co-operation on this important matter and I also thank all Members who have been briefed about the situation which has arisen. The action taken by the Government last night was necessary based on the advice available to us from the Central Bank and regulatory authorities. This action was to ensure we maintain the stability of the Irish financial system...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Regarding protections to be put in place for taxpayers and the regulatory situation, I stress this guarantee was not given lightly. It was informed by the strong advice of the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator that, on account of unprecedented disruption in international financial markets, a system-wide State guarantee was required to ensure Irish financial institutions have access to...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government has not taken equity in these banking institutions. It has provided a State guarantee to deal with liquidity which was critical to the continuation and health of the financial system. By doing so, we are not exposing taxpayers' money to the provision of that equity. The equity issue does not address the liquidity one.

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have just outlined that, by reason of the arrangements put in place for the terms and conditionality that will apply in respect of financial institutions if they seek this money to maintain their liquid position, the Financial Regulator has the powers to provide whatever conditionality is required to ensure he is satisfied that it is being used for the purpose for which it is being sought.

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is in it for the taxpayer, for workers, for people with pension funds and for people who have accounts in banks is the first and most overriding priority of any Government, financial regulator or central bank in this situation, that is, to have a stable Irish financial system that is operational.

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is the most important thing. How far back do people think the country would be if we awoke this morning, in the absence of the State guarantee that has been offered in the way it has been offered, to find a failed banking system on our hands? What would be the situation then for Irish people or Irish workers? There are corporate organisations which must get access to funds, as well as...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: If we know that then what is in this for the taxpayer——

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is in this for the taxpayer is clearly the ability to provide a stable banking system so all businesses and all people who have deposits and interests in the banks and in the commercial life of the country can have the prospect of continuing in the very abnormal situation we find ourselves in today. That is the first point. The second point is that no money has been handed over by the...

Leaders' Questions (30 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Involved in that figure is the capital and assets associated with these institutions, which exceed the liabilities of the institutions in terms of the lending they have put out. The residual about which we are talking is the need to make sure they can conduct their business by having access to funds. I have not handed over money to any bank. I have provided the reputation of this State to...

Written Answers — Procurement Procedures: Procurement Procedures (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am confident that all agencies and bodies under my Department's responsibility comply fully with the Department of Finance guidelines for goods and services. The Internal Audit report on the National Forum on Europe, dated December 2006, concluded that the appropriate Department of Finance procurement procedures are being employed for the tendering of services. The Forum Secretariat is...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The following tables detail all travel for official purposes which has been undertaken by myself and the Ministers of State assigned to my Department, since the establishment of the current Government in May 2008 to the end of August 2008. To date, there have been no costs incurred in respect of commercial flights. Any costs in relation to the Ministerial Air Transport Service are borne by...