Results 9,561-9,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Departmental Publications: Departmental Publications (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Details of publications and booklets published on behalf of my Department as requested by the Deputy are listed in the following table: Publication Consultants Date of Publication Production and Design Cost Printing Cost Overall Cost Department of the Taoiseach Scheme (2005-08) under Section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003 Design: Comarsaid Creative September 2005 N/A Design and...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The table that follows this reply outlines expenditure from my Department's Vote on consultancy services and expenses and the amounts that related to public relations in each case from 2002 to 2008 (to date). The figures also include consultancy spend recouped from the Change Management Fund in the Department of Finance. The expenditure on public relations services relate primarily to the...

National Development Plan: Motion (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I move: That Dáil Éireann: commends the Government on the progress made under the NDP as evidenced by the 2007 NDP Annual Report, particularly the substantial investment made in consolidating and enhancing Ireland's economic competitiveness; acknowledges important economic and social progress made over the last decade and the fact that we face the present economic and fiscal challenges from...

Public Service Pay. (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The comparison made in respect of these recommendations was not comparing those who were the subject of the review body to the highest echelons of the private sector. I agree that this would be absurd. It took the lowest quarter of those in comparable positions. The average increase recommended by the review body was 7.3%. The review ranges from a number of posts that received no increases...

Public Service Pay. (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The last review was September 2000. We are saying that we will not pay the rest of the increases and will examine the situation in 2010 if the situation has improved for those who claim they have an independent review body recommendation. This was always implemented under successive Governments in the interest of trying to maintain confidence in pay determination for this important, albeit...

Public Service Pay. (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The review body refers to this category of people in respect of this report. What bodes for the future, I cannot state. If we want to get people of commensurate ability into the public service to deal with very important issues, we must have an attractive enough remunerative package to have the person do the job. It is an indication of what happens if one leaves a very anomalous situation...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. a10, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of Council Decision 2008/381/2008 of 14 May 2008 establishing a European migration network, to be decided without debate, and No. b10, motion re national development plan and the economy. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. and business shall be...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter raised by Deputy Kenny, the Government hopes to get final approval on the draft of this legislation from the Attorney General, who is giving this matter his personal attention, and that we will be in a position to bring it forward during the next session. With regard to the vote on the Lisbon treaty, I take the point made by the Deputy. As he knows, the Department of...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand from the Chief Whip he is working on that in the context of the legislation committee and we are trying to assist all Deputies to give a guideline at least on what legislation and issues are likely to be taken and the timing of major debates in the House. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Carey, following his legislation committee meeting to convey to the leaders what the...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The late Brian Lenihan once spoke about the consistency of his inconsistency. Priorities change but I will not get into all of that with the Deputy. The legislation committee should come forward with a realistic legislative programme. The Departments insist on Ministers making sure legislation is put on A and B lists at Cabinet meetings but when the legislation reaches the Parliamentary...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Shorter lists are needed.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is also true and that would be no harm at all, not looking at one in particular from the Curragh in Kildare.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Flanagan for that very constructive proposal. I will give a commitment that there will be a short list from next year.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was not aware that was being contemplated. The purpose of the debate is that each Minister will discuss these issues in detail. The €1 billion full year effect will be outlined in the 2009 Estimates. We are dealing with this financial year and identifying the €440 million that needs to be found. Next year, the full year effect will be reflected in the Estimates and any budgetary...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 amendment Bill is expected at the end of the year. There is no date for the second Bill mentioned by the Deputy. The third Bill is expected next year.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, practically none of the Bills mentioned has a publication date. They are on the list, but we do not have a date for them. I do not mean to be unhelpful. The Deputy's questions emphasise the point that I will ask the Chief Whip to place on the list only those Bills that will be introduced within a five-month or six-month period, with another list for Bills that we hope to...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Bill is at an advanced stage. The complexity of some of the issues has necessitated external legal advice, which has resulted in the delay of publication. It is hoped that the Bill will be before the Cabinet this month.

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will pass that idea on to the Minister for Health and Children. On the Attorney General's advice, a new provision has been added to the adoption Bill and ongoing discussions are taking place in that respect. As a result, the Bill's publication has been delayed, but we hope to publish it during the summer. There are many complex legal issues involved in the child care Bill. While it is at...

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The tax strategy group documents have no relevance to our current discussions on the €440 million——

Order of Business (9 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in terms of expenditure items. I do not know how the situation regarding these line Department matters stands since I left, but I will make inquiries.