Results 10,421-10,440 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition is claiming there are infinite resources and that continuing to spend money all over the place will solve the problem.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am simply pointing out that Fine Gael cannot have it every way. We are either going to have reforms that bring better value for money and bring about a better service or we will have Deputy Kenny saying every morning that more resources are the answer and his finance spokesperson saying that we are spending too much. You cannot have it both ways.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: In regard to palliative care, I have made it clear that the supports for palliative care in the home have increased——

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——compared to what they were before.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is a fact, and assertions to the contrary by a number of Deputies opposite do not change that fact.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: There are increased resources for that area and a direction has been given for this year which will ensure the extra moneys being allocated are spent in that area.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am making a point that needs to be made. If we are going to have, as happens in health budgeting, demands on the service beyond what was contemplated in the service plan, arrangements have to be made at the discretion of managers at local level who can decide how best to handle the situation. Opposition Members cannot say it should be done that way today but if there is a shortage in the...

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is what they are trying to achieve every morning. At some stage they are going to have to decide which side of the fence they are on when it comes to reform in the health service.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Trite sound bites.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is the intention of the Tánaiste to discuss these matters with the chief executive of the National Consumer Agency in the course of this week.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is intended to discuss these matters with the chief executive of the National Consumer Agency. The question of profiteering in respect of imports as a result of the difference in the currency exchange rate is a matter for the National Consumer Agency, the Competition Authority and the Department. I am glad the rate of inflation decreased in the past month. However, it still stands at...

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: As already stated, the National Consumer Agency was established to deal with the type of complaints and issues — particularly those relating to consumers — to which the Deputy refers.

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The agency possesses the competence to follow up on an individual issue to which the Deputy refers, quite apart from the general question which is also a matter of some concern. The price of oil and diesel is a matter that must be addressed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with the relevant agencies. There is a need to ensure that there is transparency as regards pricing...

Leaders' Questions (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Tánaiste has indicated she has already made arrangements to discuss the situation and their analysis of it with representatives of these agencies. Those discussions will also focus on identifying the action which can be taken and which might prove effective in respect of this matter.

Standards in Public Office. (21 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together. The code of conduct for office holders was drawn up by the Government pursuant to section 10(2) of the Standards in Public Office Act 2001, following consultation with the Standards in Public Office Commission, and it was published in July 2003. Deputies will be aware that the Ethics in Public Office (Amendment) Bill 2007 provides...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 162 and 163 together. Since the 26 February 2008 to date, I have made no appointments to Bodies.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The following firms of solicitors and individual barristers have been engaged by my Department on a contractual basis in the past 18 months. Commission of Investigation (Dublin and Monaghan Bombings 1974) The Commission of Investigation (Dublin and Monaghan Bombings 1974) was established in May 2005 to examine specific matters relating to the Dublin and Monaghan Bombings of 1974, including...

Written Answers — European Council Meetings: European Council Meetings (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am a member of the European Council which Heads of State and Government attend. I have no direct function in relation to the Council of Ministers and I do not attend them. As the Deputy will be aware, each configuration of the Council of Ministers is attended by the Minister responsible for that area, for example the General Affairs and External Relations Council is attended by the...

Written Answers — Consultancy Contracts: Consultancy Contracts (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The table outlines expenditure from my Department's Vote on consultancy services to date in 2008 and for each of the past five years. The figures also include consultancy spend recouped from the Change Management Fund in the Department of Finance. Year Spend on Consultancy € 2003 272,942 2004 477,398 2005 405,188 2006 527,924 2007 663,869 2008 (End of April) 226,192

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The tables outline the number of mobile phones and blackberries provided by my Department to Programme Manager, Advisers, Press Officers and other Department personnel during each of the past three years, and the average cost of this equipment in each year. Number issued: 2005 2006 2007 Mobile phones Blackberries Mobile phones Blackberries Mobile phones Blackberries Programme Manager 0...