Results 9,961-9,980 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Ministerial Responsibilities. (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree with the Deputy's contention. There is a set procedure for the Adjournment debate, under which notice of matters to be raised is given by Members and replies are provided by the various Departments. It is open to Members on the Government side or those in opposition to give notice of matters they wish to raise on any given day and the Ceann Comhairle will deem which ones are...

Ministerial Responsibilities. (1 Jul 2008)

Brian Cowen: That certainly is beyond the remit of this question but I will answer the first part of the Deputy's question and respond to the second as best I can. In regard to the first part of his question, promoting Dáil reform is a shared responsibility of all Members and parties in this House. We will seek to play a constructive role in that effort. I have commented in the past that too often...

Written Answers — EU Directives: EU Directives (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Department of the Taoiseach has no Directives awaiting transposition. The information sought by the Deputy requires the review of a large number of records. This information is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: And Sinn Féin's campaign.

European Council: Statements (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I negotiated it.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let me be candid. I take the point that the approach is not ideal, but this matter appeared before and was approved by the Cabinet yesterday. In our briefing document, we indicated that the Slovenian Presidency of the Union is keen to finalise the agreement before its presidency concludes. That is not a determining factor for this Parliament, but it is the context in which we ask the...

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for the pharmacy (No. 2) Bill. The Electoral (Amendment) Bill came before the Cabinet yesterday and was accepted. I stated earlier that one would love to have seen a unanimous decision to amend. Unfortunately, that was not possible arising out of the debate. Deputy Enright and I may have to make a unilateral declaration of independence for south Offaly.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: A debate is promised for the week beginning 7 July when Members will have an opportunity to discuss the matter. I cannot pre-empt or anticipate Government decisions. I have outlined generally the strategy by which we abide.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The mid-year returns will be published next week. We will also have the Central Statistics Office figures for the first quarter. There will be plenty of documentation available to which Members can refer for the purposes of debating these issues in the House.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy observed, discussions are taking place on an interdepartmental basis as to how this issue can be progressed. The Deputy pointed out that a legislative response has been published in respect of one aspect of the issue. We will now proceed to consider how the Law Reform Commission recommendations can be addressed by legislation or otherwise.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It will be published late this year.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Both the transport Bill and the building societies Bill are scheduled for later this year. The exchange of information Bill referred to was incorporated into the Mutual Assistance Act.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: We do not have a date of publication for the crimes Bill.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: We do not have a date for it.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is indefinite.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will check it — I do not know if there is substance to that point. The fact is that it has been repealed by legislation. If it is included in the reaffirmation of the Offences Against the State Act, if I understand the point, that would suggest, which the original legislation continues to include that section, it has been repealed by other legislation. There are many issues of law...

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will take advice obviously and come back to the Deputy and clarify the matter. In regard to the Intoxicating Liquor Bill, my understanding is that there is an intention to try to enact this legislation before the House rises for the recess on the basis that there are some very important public order offences being provided for in that legislation which would win the widespread support of...

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I can only deal with legislation. Bills are due next year on the two matters Deputy Crawford raised. As I indicated to the Leader of the Opposition, we do not expect to be able to take the other legislation before the Dáil rises.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for that legislation.