Results 9,681-9,700 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The figure I gave the House is the correct figure. The €440 million savings we are seeking to provide for the remainder of this year have a full year effect in 2009. The present effect will last for six months during the remaining half of this year and will continue into 2009. I am being very clear with the House. It is not a question of dribs and drabs. I made it clear that on...

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——of engagement by Government across all Departments for the purpose of having a sustainable budgetary strategy going into 2009 that will address the issues we need to address. Apart from this contention that there was some effort to fritter away resources, let us remind ourselves that we have been paying to invest in a capital budget out of current budget surpluses year on year under...

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are not alone in facing into these issues. Other countries are facing the very same global economic conditions.

Leaders' Questions (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are well placed to deal with it as I have said all along. I believe we can have a sensible debate on the options and approaches. Let it be clear that the Government is discharging its responsibility in a timely, appropriate and responsible manner and will continue to do so.

Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 15, Dublin Transport Authority Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Report Stage (resumed) and Final Stage; No. 16, Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 — Committee and Remaining Stages; and No. 1, Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006 — amendments from the Seanad. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the Dáil shall sit later than 8.30 p.m. tonight and business...

Order of Business (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, I am not in the position to accede to a change to the Order of Business due to the requirement to enact the legislation before the House goes into recess.

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. There are 12 non-established civil servants, including contract staff, currently employed in my Department and in my Tullamore constituency office. Mr. Joe Lennon is my programme manager, and Professor Peter Clinch, Mr. Gerry Steadman, Mr. Brian Murphy and Mr. Declan Ryan are my special advisers. Under the direction of the...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government concluded its meeting a short time ago. As a matter of courtesy a statement or press release will be laid before the House at 3.30 p.m. at the same time as I am having a press conference with the Minister for Finance. The question of how we deal with pay issues going forward is a critical matter. From my point of view, the staff referred to in these questions are unaffected,...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: It does not concern the staff referred to in these questions. These non-established civil servants, including contract staff and political advisers, remain in place for the duration of my tenure. Their tenure ends whenever my tenure ends. We will be having a press conference today at 3.30 p.m. on the decisions made by the Government. The press release will be laid before the House and...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is a work experience module in a degree programme of that university, known as the bachelor of science in government and public policy.

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: No. I was just making the point that they are in my Department. They are not answering to me.

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with that. In addition to providing policy advice on economic and other areas, Professor Clinch advises me on the process of integrating policies across different Departments, in anticipation of the challenges posed by the international environmental policy agenda. He has a level of expertise in this area, but also in economics generally. His particular expertise is an...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: No appointments are contemplated at the moment, but we would leave open the possibility of taking advice for whatever length of time, either formally or informally. Professor Clinch brings a level of expertise to an important area, which is how to integrate policies across different Departments in order to develop economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and the general question of...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: No, that would not be a correct understanding of my reply. I simply wish to make the point that it is open to an incumbent Taoiseach to employ advice as required. As I said in my response, I do not contemplate further advisers in the immediate term, based on the advice I have at the moment.

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am simply saying that everyone will comply with the existing guidelines. There is no requirement for Ministers to need any further advisers beyond those they already have, based on the current regulations and guidelines. The Department of the Taoiseach has the opportunity, should it be required or necessary, for the Taoiseach to provide himself with advice as Head of Government. As I...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: There are regulations in place as to the number of staff Ministers are allowed and these must be complied with. Staff are provided on the basis of need and for the provision of whatever advice is required. Under the Public Service Management Act, that restriction does not apply in the Taoiseach's office, although as I have said, I do not contemplate increasing the number of advisers I have....

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer the question again for Deputy Gilmore — I am not trying to be problematic — I do not contemplate a situation in which more staff are required.

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: On an individual retiring from the present complement, it will be a matter for decision by me whether a replacement would be required. It will depend on the circumstances. The issue is to ensure we comply with the regulations set out in the Public Service Management Act 1997. I recall the first political party to insist on special advisers was the good Labour Party itself when it came into...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is a limit on the number of advisers a Minister can have, and that is being complied with. Under the Public Service Management Act no such restrictions on the number of special advisers to the Department of the Taoiseach apply. However, I do not intend in the foreseeable future to provide for any further advisers. On the question of should a replacement be required if someone retires...

Departmental Staff. (8 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not the Government's intention to employ a raft of consultants on an hourly basis. The Government intends to use the resources available to the State within Departments, and outside them when appropriate, to ensure the right decisions are made for the country. That has been a feature of every Government in the past.