Results 10,301-10,320 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: There are 10,000 home help packages that were not available a few years ago. Reforms are being implemented and primary care is a critical part of those reforms. The amendment of the consultants' contracts, by bringing them into clinical directorates in hospitals, and the management of services in our hospitals are an important part of that. The fundamental point is that allocations have...

Leaders' Questions (28 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore and I both know that is the case. We must start from the reality that there are finite budgets, however much they are increased, and we hope to increase them again in the future. The amount of resources going into the health service in the past five to six years is unprecedented. As Professor Drumm said, we must ally resource allocation with reform in the delivery of the...

Official Engagements. (28 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 8, inclusive, together. In recent months, my predecessor, the former Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, visited the United States to participate in the traditional ceremonies celebrating St. Patrick's Day and to address a joint sitting of the Houses of Congress. In the course of these visits, he met with President Bush, where they discussed the issue of the...

Written Answers — Toll Charges: Toll Charges (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Ministerial cars are driven by members of An Garda Síochána. Such vehicles are exempt from tolls under Section 62 of the Roads Act, 1993. Accordingly, no cost arises to the Exchequer.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: There are 55 Civil Servants within my Department at the grade of Assistant Principal or higher. All these staff were recruited to their current positions from within the Civil Service.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together. Joint Meeting of the United States Congress The following people travelled to the United States as part of the official delegation for the then Taoiseach's address to the Joint Meeting of the United States Congress: Then Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern Gerry Hickey, Taoiseach's Adviser Eoghan O'Neachtain, Government Press Secretary Mandy...

Written Answers — Cabinet Sub-Committees: Cabinet Sub-Committees (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Cabinet Committee on Health comprises: the Taoiseach; the Tánaiste; the Minister for Finance; and the Minister for Health and Children. Ministers who are not members of a Cabinet Committee may attend Committee meetings where appropriate. The Committee last met on 5 March, 2008 and its next meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.

Freedom of Information. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was about to make the point that the Minister for Finance is responsible for its implementation, review and extension. When freedom of information legislation was first introduced, it applied to 67 bodies or agencies. The largest extension took place in 2006 when I was Minister for Finance and I extended it to a further 137 bodies, giving a total of 502 regarding the number of bodies to...

Freedom of Information. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept application of the Act has been further restricted given we have been extending the numbers of bodies to which it applies. I have just explained to the Deputy that in 2006 alone, during my time as Minister for Finance, I extended it to a further 137 bodies. I do not accept, therefore, that our attempt is to restrict it. Deputy Gilmore referred to fees which are, in the...

Freedom of Information. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Questions on these matters are more properly put to the Minister for Finance.

Freedom of Information. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Having held the office, in fairness I suppose the point made by Deputy Ó Caoláin should receive due consideration. If records were available under the FOI Act and are now held by new bodies not in the existing orders I am sure the Minister for Finance will examine the logic of having people in the new agencies competent to deal with the matter. This may involve a short period of training...

Freedom of Information. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: As the Deputy will be aware, I have established a task force to advise us on how we should go about implementing the OECD report and we should await the outcome of its deliberations. We want a situation where public services are provided as efficiently and effectively as possible and in the spirt of FOI legislation, which balances the issue of people having access to information in the...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not understand what the issue is for the Leader of the Opposition.

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: In response to a question I was asked about the opinion poll, I indicated that all the parties that support the referendum intend continuing to ramp up and intensify our campaign over the coming two and a half weeks. If people want to seek out offence I suppose they can take it. I would not offer any offence to anybody — quite the contrary.

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am simply making the point that an opinion poll is a snapshot of opinion. I was glad to see we were ahead in the poll. I have said on numerous occasions this is not a party political matter. I was asked a question and simply said we were all going to work hard over the coming two and a half weeks to ensure we get the result in the national interest. Any interpretation to the contrary...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have no issue with Deputy Kenny at all. I am trying to indicate that I responded to a question concerning an opinion poll that was published in the Sunday newspapers. In my response I indicated that I had every confidence that we would all be working hard to ensure we get this through. The opinion poll contained the information but I did not conduct the poll. I am not making an issue...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not making an issue of it.

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not making an issue of it. I was simply responding to a question which was put to me. All I am saying is that we are all on the one side and there is no reason for any contention. We should get on with the business and at the end of the day we want to see a successful outcome on 12 June.

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am sorry if some people are taking offence but none was intended. I can do no more than to say that because that is the truth of the matter. If it is interpreted in a certain way, or if the response from the Deputy's own press officer or his party's press office is the way it was, I cannot forecast how he will take what I have to say. I listened to many remarks over the weekend but I do...

Leaders' Questions (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It does not worry me. That has nothing to do with it.