Results 9,481-9,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, which was established in October 2007, provides a valuable forum to members of both Houses of the Oireachtas to discuss the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and related matters with Members of the Westminster Parliament elected for constituencies in Northern Ireland. In its relatively short time in existence,...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The pay and emoluments granted to the Directors of the National Economic and Social Development Office (NESDO) which encompasses the National Economic and Social Forum (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF) and the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP) is as follows: Title of Agency Director € Chief Officer of NESDO and Director of NESC 150,712 Director...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 196 together. The table below outlines expenditure from my Department's Vote on consultants and the proportions that relate to public relations from 2002 to the end of August 2008. There has been no spend by my Department on consultants relating to marketing and advertising during this period. Of the total expenditure on Public Relations for...

Written Answers — Departmental Transport: Departmental Transport (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: My Department does not provide any official vehicles.

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Neither my Department nor any of its agencies have awarded contracts to the company in question since 2000. Poster Plan Ltd. was engaged by the National Forum on Europe for an ad mobile in May this year at a cost of €6,950 plus VAT. The Forum also used Poster Plan Ltd's services in January 2008 in the production of a Forum Information Film on the Treaty of Lisbon at a cost of €1,400 plus...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Economic and Social Policy in my Department chaired the 4th Annual Irish Public Private Partnerships Policy Forum on 19 June, 2008, and was the only member of staff from my Department involved in this event. There were no costs to the Department arising from her participation.

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Sensitive information belonging to members of the public is not generally collected by, or stored, in the Department's electronic systems. A number of specific measures are in place in my Department to protect all data which is held electronically:- Access to personal information held on databases within my Department is controlled by application security and confined to relevant authorised...

Written Answers — Data Protection: Data Protection (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: No laptop computers, data storage devices or USB memory sticks have been stolen or lost from my Department in 2007 and to date in 2008.

Written Answers — Departmental Advertising: Departmental Advertising (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Since the enactment of the Official Languages Act in 2003, my Department and agencies have spent €2,969.64 on advertisements in Irish alone and €385,681.25 on advertisements in both Irish and English. Assuming that something less than half of the latter cost relates to the content in Irish, the total amount requested by the Deputy is less than €195,810.27. These costs relate in the...

Written Answers — Departmental Agencies: Departmental Agencies (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 192 and 195 together. CSO The Director General of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) receives no bonuses or merit awards above the basic salary of his post. As an established civil servant, the current Director General will be entitled to a pension/lump sum under current Civil Service pension entitlements on his retirement. NSB The Chairperson of the National...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together. The number of Staff in my Private and Constituency office and in the Offices of my Ministers of State and their costs to the Exchequer are detailed in the tables below: Cost for 2007 Office Number of Staff Grade Comments Total Cost including Salary/Allowances/ Overtime and Expenses € Taoiseach's Private Office 13 1 Private...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I said, I am ready to engage with the Opposition in regard to its Private Members' motion. Given that it has tabled the motion — we have tabled a counter motion, as has the Labour Party — we would like to debate it within the time allocated. Obviously, the Government is getting on with the business of preparing for the budget and Ministers are involved in bilateral meetings this week...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: That was the subject of intensive work between the Attorney General's office and the Department of Health and Children over the summer period. It is not yet finalised but is almost so and it is intended to bring it to the Houses during this session.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We had this question before. Progress was made over the course of the summer regarding issues that in certain respects were delaying the drafting of the Bill. It is being finalised at present and is expected to come before the House during this session. That is my information.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: There will be separate legislation for some of the new aspects that were agreed in partnership. With regard to the Combat Poverty agency issue, obviously there are no plans to do anything at the moment. The matter is under review.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand that such a motion is not necessary. The Comptroller and Auditor General has the relevant constitutional responsibility and discharges it very well. Indeed his reports are often referred to and lauded in this House in terms of the issues they raise and the forensic examination they undertake in various aspects of public expenditure. The use of the existing mechanisms one...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand that the issue is still under consideration and whether an amendment may be required on Committee Stage to see whether it can be encompassed.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not included in the Bill at present.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The publication of that Bill is subject to the resolution of certain legal issues that arose during the completion of the drafting process. Every effort is being made to have it published as soon as possible.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The latest information I have is that the heads of the Bill are expected later this year. I will raise with the Minister for Education and Science the matter of whether this issue is as simple as the Deputy indicated.