Results 10,361-10,380 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It was an effort to be helpful, yet there is still a problem when one is helpful. To be helpful, I suggested the three Ministers considering the matter should discuss it with Opposition spokespersons to try to determine whether progress could be made. Deputy Burton asked about the arrangements. When the three Ministers meet, they will put forward a proposal or ideas and talk to the...

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Why not? I do not know. Let those concerned make the arrangements. It is not rocket science and the arrangements will be made.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is out of order.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not have a date for the health amendment Bill. Again, however, if such a debate is sought either in committee or in plenary session, it is a matter for discussion among the Whips.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of the issue.

Order of Business (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understand a Bill called the judicial council Bill that would cover that scenario is in preparation. While it may not be introduced to the House until later this year or next year, I understand this is the position.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the latter matter, the then Taoiseach was making the point that whereas these people had competence to go on these State boards, they were also people he knew. In many cases when I am looking for suitable people for appointment, there are some people whom I never met before who are recommended to me and others whom I know or meet in the course of my duties may impress me and may have a...

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am sure they will not meet with the Opposition's unanimous approval.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have followed that in all my public life.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I hope there is no implication that is a standard I have not lived up to until now.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy does not need anything to put forward an argument with me.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: We should not go into the Deputy's past.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was in west Berlin looking over at east Berlin. I thought I saw the Deputy over there one day.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It would be a matter of perhaps some months.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes. Some months would be a fair assessment as people should not be denied the opportunity to make a livelihood having retired and given loyal service to the State. It is not appropriate for us to suggest, for some reason, a contamination-free zone. It is about simply providing some reassurance that there is a time period in which people can reorganise their lives and move on to something...

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: There needs to be some sensible buffer zone.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The code of conduct for office holders, which is the subject of Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, covers the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, Ministers, Ministers of State, the Ceann Comhairle, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad and the Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Seanad. The Standards in Public Office Commission generally oversees the implementation of the ethics Acts. It...

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not agree we are going in the opposite direction. We are very consistent in what we are trying to do. We are trying to ensure we have arrangements that are reasonable and sensible and that do not require the commission to be involved in issues that would be regarded as being without problem. At the same time we want to have a limit that requires that the issue be dealt with properly....

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: On the first matter, I served on a local authority for eight years — I do not know how long the Deputy served on one. My county never had a section 4, by the way. Regarding avoiding conflicts of interest, it is a matter that needs fuller consideration when it comes to the implementation of the proposal. I am not dismissing the possibility of variation of approach depending on the...

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Some months.