Results 10,481-10,500 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is unfortunate the Leader of the Opposition insists on characterising the Minister in that way.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Obviously, it is done for political headlines. The serious issue, apart from——

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——the tactics in which the Opposition is engaged, concerns best practice in the review of these matters. Best practice has been outlined by the expert clinical advice available. The Portlaoise situation involved established misdiagnoses and making arrangements to have a number of patients re-examined in the Cuisle Centre. The principle in this case is precautionary. More than 200,000...

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: In both Navan and Drogheda. We all have a responsibility in terms of pointing out that some 6,000 X-rays are to be reviewed on the basis of a precautionary principle, not on the suggestion of a misdiagnosis in each case.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is a sufficient level of public anxiety without inflaming the issue or misrepresenting it to gain political effect.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The position is clear.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will not withdraw it.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I listened in silence.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am simply explaining——

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The suggestion——

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should allow me to explain.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me to reply to Deputy McEntee. Deputy Kenny spoke in highly charged language.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It was designed to heighten rather than dampen people's anxieties.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I acknowledge people's legitimate anxieties, but there is a difference in this instance in that we are applying a precautionary principle to a large number of files. It is wrong to suggest that an inherent danger of a possible misdiagnosis attaches to them all.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It does not assist the situation to portray what I acknowledge is a serious matter in the way it is being portrayed. There is a suggestion that the precautionary principle is not being applied. However, if it was not being done in that way, there is a suggestion that a greater number of files should be looked at. As I said, the purpose is to use the precautionary principle across the board...

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The point I have made is fair and accurate. The expert clinical advice is that it is necessary to go through these files over this period. The whole idea is to provide reassurance. The way to do so is to follow the advice provided by clinicians who have greater expertise than me or anybody else in this House as to how we should go about it and do it properly. As I said in my initial...

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am aware of that.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Our responsibility is to explain to those who have any concerns and worries that the expert clinical advice available to us is that this is the best way to go about dealing with that anxiety and concern. If somebody else puts forward the idea that there is another way of doing it which is not in compliance with the expert advice, let them take responsibility for that suggestion.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is only fair to make the points I have made in response to the way Deputy Kenny is seeking to portray the situation.

Leaders' Questions (20 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to provide me with a report on this matter arising from yesterday's developments. I will answer Deputy Gilmore's questions to the best of my ability. I acknowledge that this is a setback for those communities who have been working hard in conjunction with the city council to devise regeneration plans for their...