Results 10,341-10,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. Having regard to the confidential nature of the work of the National Security Committee, it would not be appropriate to disclose information about the dates of individual meetings nor any of its proceedings. The committee is chaired by the Secretary General to the Government and comprises representatives at the highest level of the...

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are all aware in the aftermath of the 11 September attacks and other more recent outrages of the scale of the threat posed by international terrorism. While there are no grounds to suggest that Ireland is at particular risk, the security services maintain a high state of vigilance. They are also in regular contact with other security services and there is an ongoing exchange of...

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Earlier I said in relation to terrorist threats that the security services are constantly monitoring and liaising with other security services, as appropriate, to deal with that matter. I do not think there is any benefit in saying more about it, other than that, so it will not be misinterpreted one way or the other. The situation in Chad is outside the remit of these questions. Operational...

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Government is satisfied that the necessary structures are in place to obtain, assess and act on intelligence concerning the threat posed by terrorism, including international terrorism. The highest priority continues to be placed by the Government and the security services on identifying and countering any threats that may have implications for this country. Obviously, there is ongoing...

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: We cannot draw an inference from the numbers mentioned by the Deputy as to the number of people who have been genuinely suspect; in other words, that relates to calls as I understand it. Therefore, in terms of a question, the matter could best be placed before the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who would have a more direct line of responsibility for this matter than me. I am...

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The role of the committee that is the subject of these questions is to ensure that I and the Government are kept advised of high level security issues and the responses to those issues. The committee has no role in relation to the wider policy or political issues of the type raised by the Deputy and, therefore, they are not relevant to this question.

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: No, Ireland has made overflight and landing facilities available to the United States for more than 50 years. This matter had nothing to do with the setting up of the interdepartmental committee, nor is it relevant to it. Aircraft wishing to carry munitions of war on Irish territory can only do so with the permission of the Minister for Transport in the case of civilian aircraft and the...

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy will be aware that emergency planning is a separate issue which comes under the aegis of the Department of Defence. The Department deals with contingency planning in that area and what the military would be required to do to assist in the event of any such attack taking place. Considerable work has been done in the emergency planning area. The office of emergency planning was...

National Security Committee. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Military contingency planning is about making preparations for these worst case scenarios. That is precisely what our military people do. They put in place arrangements in the context of contingency planning. I do not have that detail here, but the Defence Forces are very professional and they are in a position to provide for all eventualities. I do not know the specifics of what...

Freedom of Information. (27 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 to 6, inclusive, together. I propose to circulate in the Official Report a table showing the figures requested by the Deputies regarding freedom of information requests received in my Department. All FOI applications received in my Department are processed by statutorily designated officials in accordance with the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003....

Written Answers — State Airports: State Airports (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The view taken at the time was that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is a commercial company with a core mandate to manage the three State airports and that its by-law making powers are discharged in that context. Accordingly, DAA was not listed as a regulatory body in the publication mentioned, as it was not viewed as having material functions under the definition criteria used in that Report.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: As I said, the legislation committee is meeting this week and the new Chief Whip will assess what is possible. In fairness to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, it has a legislative record second to none.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: These are matters for the Whips to discuss with a view to determining whether a debate is possible.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand the earliest it can be expected is next year.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not yet have a date for that Bill.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: A guided tour would be far more interesting.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is a need to update the software.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is a matter for the Whips. On the basis of the setback that occurred during the week, we are now concentrating our efforts to determine whether it is possible for others to take the place of the developer. That is the focus of our attention and we should not assume all is lost. There are people trying to decide whether the matter can be addressed.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Ministers will be in touch with the spokespersons concerned.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: In an effort to be helpful——