Results 9,501-9,520 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was going to respond.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fact that we are bringing forward the budget by six or seven weeks this year means arrangements must be adapted to the circumstances in which we find ourselves. We need to bring forward the budget quickly and provide clarity and certainty regarding the direction of the economy, in light of the situation in which we find ourselves. For this reason, pre-eminence must be given to holding...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the legislation, as for the adoption Bill, a significant policy issue was raised during the summer months that was brought to a conclusion last week and technical amendments to the Bill are ongoing. One hopes this Bill will be published this term. I made the point that the nursing homes support scheme Bill is nearly finalised. It is intended to be brought before the Houses in the current...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer Deputy Ó Caoláin, it is not possible to give a date for that Bill because as I stated, other priorities in health legislation are being spoken about, namely, the adoption Bill, the nursing homes support scheme Bill and the child care Bill, which are substantive Bills.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am saying these take priority——

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in view of their readiness to come before the House for consideration.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I must check that with the Minister concerned.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The entire purpose of the A, B and C lists was to give an indication to Members, as they requested, as to what priorities were likely to come before the House in the immediate term and so forth. If the purpose of producing the C list is to ask the reason the Bills are not on the A or B list, and the House goes through this seriatim every week, what is the purpose of producing the C list, if...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The whole idea of bringing forward these lists in the present form is to indicate from the outset, in fairness to Opposition spokespersons and everyone else who wishes to contribute to the House, what Bills are likely to be brought forward and what ones are not. Questions about policy issues should be tabled before the relevant Ministers during Question Time. However, if the House is to...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The purpose of the pharmacy No. 2 Bill was twofold, first to follow on from the Pharmacy Act 2007 and deal with other changes in the regulatory framework for pharmacy and pharmacy services not addressed in that Act and, second, to deal with any remaining recommendations of the pharmacy review group, including matters relating to a new pharmacy contract. Work was progressing on commencing the...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Work on that Bill is at a preliminary stage of examination. Consultations are ongoing with the Department's financial management unit, courts policy and the Courts Service. Until that is completed, we cannot deal with it.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I stated in an earlier reply, consideration can be and is being given to that issue in the context of a possible amendment on Committee Stage.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the multi-unit developments, an interdepartmental and inter-ministerial group has been working on this. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is in discussion with the Law Society with regard to some aspects and contractual issues in preparation for proposed provisions for that aspect of the problem. That meeting is imminent, which I know having spoken to the Minister about...

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will work through the processes I have outlined and have the Attorney General certify and validate what is being proposed as being legally sound. We will make a decision at that stage as to the best way to proceed. That is the up to date position.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware we have been in discussion with parties of the Opposition about the matter. I understand it is intended to bring forward a motion tomorrow for the establishment of a committee as discussed.

Order of Business (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will await its progress in the Seanad in the first instance.

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will have to check with the Deputy regarding the report on modernisation about which he inquires. I will get back to him on the issue which is outside the ambit of the questions in front of me. On the communications unit, I have explained the situation regarding how it is envisaged that payroll costs would be cut in the Departments. It is not specific to individual units or members of...

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: Having explained three times how the payroll costs are to be handled, I do not wish to repeat the explanation again. On the question of Civil Service and public service modernisation or public sector reform, as it has been described, I expect the task force, which I set up on obtaining the OECD report on the matter, will report to us very shortly. The task force will set out in a coherent...

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: I cannot fathom the meaning of the second part of the Deputy's contribution.

Departmental Staff. (24 Sep 2008)

Brian Cowen: The survey to which I referred is evidence that a policy exists, that this policy is monitored, that the targets set down are being exceeded and that there is adherence to the codes of practice. The Deputy's contention seems to be that a survey was carried out, that people disclosed their views and that there is not a policy, but the position is quite the contrary.