Results 9,761-9,780 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: They are not simply the priorities, they are the full gamut of activities that the Government would like to undertake if we achieve a 4.5% growth rate per annum for the next five years. It is clear, if the criticism is that we are not implementing the programme, that it would put us into an unsustainable public finance position. That is clearly not an option.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: The bottom line is thisââ
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: I am not running away from it. We will come forward with our own priorities in regard to how to proceed. That is a matter for the Government in terms of Estimates campaigns and developing the Department of Finance position.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: In the meantime, immediate decisions will have to be made to take corrective action so that we work within the spending limits we have set ourselves for this year, while recognising, as we must, that the reduction in tax revenues means a deterioration in the public finance position for the year.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: That is not true.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy did not hear that at all.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: I said we would prioritise what is in the programme.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: One prioritises what is in the programme.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: In regard to the first matter raised by Deputy Coveney, I refer him to the statement made in March by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Eamon Ryan, which set out the policy position as a result of consultations with stakeholders. On the question of the national broadband strategy, the Minister plans to publish his ideas on that area imminently.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: As I have said, the Government has discussed this matter and the Minister will publish the outcome of those discussions presently.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: When the NDP was published, it stated clearly on page 16 that it was subject to a prudent budgetary policy fully consistent with the Stability and Growth Pact. That was reiterated by me and my colleagues on numerous occasions. It is stated on the same page that the NDP will "allow for reallocation as necessary depending on evolving priorities and the economic and budgetary situation." The...
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: The bottom half.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: I gave the Deputy a straight answer and he has misrepresented it again.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: Exactly. When I give the Deputy a straight answer he does not accept it.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: No. It is printed in the same size as the rest of the print.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: Yes, it is. It is on page 1 of the manifesto.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: In response to the Deputy's question in regard to my priorities, I said during the campaign that we would try to respect the tax bands, which is the most important issue; that we would then seek to assist those on the standard rate following which we would look at the higher rate. That is what I said at the time; there is no secret about it. This would be regarded by many as a sensible...
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: That is what I said at the time.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: It was not a lie. That is unworthy of Deputy Gilmore.
- Programmes for Government. (2 Jul 2008)
Brian Cowen: It was not a lie. It was based on a growth rate of 4.5%. We were talking about raising the ceiling and reducing the rate. Raising the ceiling was part of the proposal. This helps people on lower incomes rather than those on higher incomes.