Results 10,021-10,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I did not think Deputy Bannon was a shrinking violet. I apologise to the Deputy. I did not realise I was bullying him.

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy wishes. The Forum on Europe has done good work in trying to bring to public attention the role Europe plays in our domestic affairs and politics. It has been scrupulous in its efforts to take into account all bodies of opinion regardless of what democratic mandate they have. This is fair enough to take account of the voluntary sector and advocacy groups. There is an issue about...

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: That has been a failure on all our parts, even since Ireland became a member of the Community. The rejection of the Nice treaty was a call to us and we responded by providing the forum, which served its own purpose.

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Within Parliament, we have established the EU scrutiny committee. This is a critique of how we need to bring Europe more into the body politic of our discussion in order that it is not seen as an optional extra or something that happens to be a benefit separate from——

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: That should be discussed and I have no problem doing that. I would rather discuss it with the Deputy than with Deputy Bannon.

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not have any comment to make on other people's views on the referendum. They are entitled to their opinion. Let everyone give their opinion on it if they wish. I take Deputy Allen's point. In response to Deputy Kenny, we need to try to improve the way we project the work we do in the House as having a greater connection with what goes on in Europe than we portray currently because of...

European Council Meetings. (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is good to see the Deputy again.

Order of Business (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 20, statements on European Council, Brussels; No. a11, motion re proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of an agreement between the European Union and Australia on the processing and transfer of EU-sourced passenger name records data; No. 19, Nuclear Test Ban Bill 2006 — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 4, Intoxicating Liquor Bill 2008 — Second...

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Obviously I do not know the specifics set out by Deputy Kenny. If FÁS has a budget of €900 million and its advertising budget is 1% of that, €9 million, obviously one wants to get value for money from it. FÁS is involved in the important work of reskilling and bringing opportunities to the public's attention, particularly to those who are not in the workforce and who are socially...

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: First, if there is a Garda inquiry, there should not be any political involvement whatever on the matter.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Second, the chief executive of that organisation is a person whom I personally hold in the highest regard and whose integrity I would defend at all times, Mr. Rody Molloy. The Tánaiste, as the line Minister, can make inquiries into the matter to get the details of what is being referred to this morning, of which I have no notice.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: If there is any issue of Garda involvement, it should be left with the gardaí.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: In my previous capacity as Minister for Finance, I was obviously in constant contact with the sector through the Central Bank mechanism and other mechanisms. This was to ensure that, in dealing with the situation that has arisen with regard to international financial market turbulence, our banking system was able to operate appropriately and properly despite the fact that an international...

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: This is something I have already done as Minister for Finance. It continues to be done by the Minister and the Department of Finance. That is an option which is available to us at any time. In fact, last night I was discussing with advisers the issue of how we can ensure that we do not have a reaction to the downturn as if we were not capable of getting through it robustly, on the basis of...

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The budget day statement outlined the downside risks, all of which have materialised. If the Deputy knows of anybody who predicted the downturn in the international economy that we have seen in the past eight months, I ask her to give me a shout because I do not know of anyone who did.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It certainly was not in any of the policy positions put forward by Deputy Burton's party during the election.

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: To stick to the point that Deputy Burton's leader raised——

Leaders' Questions (25 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: To stick to the point that Deputy Gilmore raised, the strategy is very clear. We will take whatever measures are necessary to have a sustainable budgetary strategy going forward. We will seek more value for money on the current side. We were already talking about moderating the rate of increase in current expenditure anyway because we want to continue to apply priority investment on the...

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I must speak with the Minister to determine when the legislation will be before the House.

Order of Business (24 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It will be published next year.