Results 10,141-10,160 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Written Answers — Public Relations Contracts: Public Relations Contracts (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: There was a total of €6,000 of expenditure by the Taskforce on Active Citizenship in relation to the launch of its Report on Active Citizenship in March 2007. A public relations consultant was engaged to work on the media requirements of the public consultation phases. In view of the response to the public consultation, which received over 1,000 submissions, I consider this good value for...

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am unable to indicate at this point when the civil partnership Bill will be introduced. This does not relate to the entitlement to same-sex marriage as it is a civil partnership Bill. It will be introduced before the summer recess.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The legislation is for later this year.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I cannot be specific in terms of detail of the legislation but it may well be that we are awaiting EU approval. I do not know. That is sometimes the case where an EU issue is involved. I will have the matter checked out and revert to the Deputy.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: As regards the previous matter, I do not know whether the Chemicals Bill will incorporate the problem to which the Deputy referred. That was due to be taken on Thursday, but in view of the fact that we are talking about amending the Order of Business for tomorrow——

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——it may well be that Rentokil will reach Wicklow before that.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not so sure it was promised. The Deputy will be aware that we are concentrating on using Government time for the purpose of getting through legislation, to which the Opposition will want to give sufficient time as well, in the remainder of the term that is available to us. It is open to Deputies to raise matters of sufficient priority in Private Members' time.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy knows, there have been meetings between the federation and Ministers, which were quite lengthy and comprehensive. It is an EU-wide problem that has to be dealt with next at the EU Council of Ministers' meeting. In the aftermath of that meeting, it might be better for the Deputy to consider whether Private Members' time would be a sufficient priority.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Government time is being used up.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Of course not, and there are opportunities and mechanisms available to the Deputy to ensure that he can raise the matter.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am just indicating that at the moment Government time is employed in trying to proceed with the legislative programme.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: The matter can continue to be discussed with the Whips if possible, but I cannot move away from the legislative responsibilities.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: Later this year.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not know if any time has been decided for this, but I do not think it has. The first thing for us to do is to study the report very carefully——

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——and see what debate is required thereafter.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is hoped to publish that legislation before the end of this term.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is hoped to publish the electoral amendment Bill in this session. As I understand it, the only one that is promised is the property service regulatory authority Bill. I do not know if the other one has been promised. Is the Deputy talking about the management company Bill?

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have no dates for those Bills yet.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is no date for the covert surveillance Bill. As regards the pharmacy (No. 2) Bill, the main enactment of pharmacy legislation was last year — the first in 120 years. The pharmacy (No. 2) Bill deals with other issues, which are not quite as important, although I am sure they are important in themselves. We have no date for that legislation at the moment.

Order of Business (17 Jun 2008)

Brian Cowen: We need legislation. We cannot do anything without a legal basis.