Results 9,741-9,760 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is trying to say the Minister for Finance suggested there was no construction activity taking place. The Minister did not say that. He said the rate of growth was contracting when compared to last year and previous years. The Deputy had better ask the Minister for Finance precisely——

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is trying to suggest there is no construction activity. He is talking down the economy enough without playing that game.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The rate of growth in the construction sector this year is much reduced on previous years. That is all that is in the statement and the Deputy should cease this stupid, silly, semantic argument.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: If that is as much as the Deputy has to say about the economy, good luck to him.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: This is puerile stuff.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The issue of trying to integrate the welfare system with the local authority system in respect of rent supplements etc., is ongoing. As I am not sure of the current position, the Deputy should ask a specific question of the Minister. All the commitments in the programme for Government were made in the context of a full term of Government.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Some reform of the bus service will take place under the Dublin Transport Authority Bill which is going through the House. There is also an understanding that once the Bill has been enacted, the Minister for Transport will examine reform of the Road Transport Act 1932.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have given a reply in respect of the legislation.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The figures in our manifesto added up; those in Fine Gael's did not.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: There will be a report at the end of the year on the progress made on the carbon budget. We are making an unprecedented investment in social and affordable housing. This is regarded as an important expenditure item in the capital programme.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The level of investment in social and affordable housing is unprecedented. Action in respect of all the matters under discussion can only be taken on the basis of the availability of resources. That is the position with regard to every programme ever devised. If one does not have the resources, one cannot spend them. As Fine Gael did in the past, however, one might wish to borrow money...

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I borrowed that money for capital expenditure purposes.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Fine Gael borrowed for current expenditure purposes. During our term in office we have halved the national debt. When Fine Gael was in power, it doubled.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: There has been a great deal of investment in respect of the homeless. A homelessness strategy has been set down and we hope to be able to implement it in a progressive manner on the basis of both the resources available and the priority we can accord to it. On the Deputy's first point, we set out our position on the basis of the same assumptions used by Fine Gael to set out its position....

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: Some progress has been made in respect of this matter as a result of ministerial discussions. A certain number of sheltered homes were completed and it was a question of making staffing arrangements in order that those who might benefit from the provision of those homes could take up residence in them. Some progress has been made since this matter was first highlighted.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: There will not be 300 teams in place by the end of the year if the information relating to level of progress made thus far, as outlined by the Deputy, is correct. The co-operation of those involved in the medical profession and others is required to ensure the teams can be put in place. The Deputy will be aware, from a position he occupied in the past, that a great deal of negotiation must...

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: The commitment relating to medical cards was made in the context of being honoured over the entire course of the Government's term of office. We must prioritise the matters that can be advanced on the basis of the resources available.

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the basis that the growth rate will not be 4.5%, it is clear that we will not be able to implement all aspects of the programme for Government. The latter is, after all, based on the assumption of achieving such a rate of growth. We must prioritise certain areas of activity, ensure we make the correct strategic decisions in order to increase the capacity of the economy and make it able...

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I made the point to the Deputy——

Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is not correct. When circumstances change and revenues are not as predicted, one has to adapt and prioritise.