Results 10,561-10,580 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Thankfully we have a public service that has upheld that tradition consistently since the foundation of the State even when some were trying to subvert it, and that tradition will continue. Deputy Ó Caoláin's party has decided to be oppositionist and that is its privilege——

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Does it? It just happens to be opposed to the Government all the time. I suppose that is just a coincidence. I apologise, I thought Sinn Féin had a strategy but it just makes it up as it goes along. Sinn Féin made a decision to be oppositionist. Before the last election many of the party's spokespeople said what the party would do if it got a certain number of seats, how many people it...

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I know that. Deputy Ó Caoláin should let me answer the question because I listened in silence to his long question.

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am answering the question. Deputy Ó Caoláin is posturing.

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Is Deputy Ó Caoláin finished? I will answer the question as I see it.

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Ó Caoláin will not be called "Mr. Short Question" around here.

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am giving Deputy Ó Caoláin the answer but he does not like it. He cannot shout people down because they do not agree with him. That might have worked at one time.

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I will answer the question when Deputy Ó Caoláin is finished shouting. Other people make other political choices. Three Deputies have made the choice that they want to support the broad thrust of Government policy on the basis of coming to an agreement to do things for their constituents. They are entitled to do that. Deputy Ó Caoláin might not agree with it but he does not have to...

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Life is not that complicated.

Independent Members. (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: These were agreements reached with the former leader of Fianna Fáil and confirmed by the then leader elect of Fianna Fáil. Of course I have read the documents.

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 7a — motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions; No. 13 — Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) (Confirmation of Orders) Bill 2008 [Seanad] — Order for Report, Report and Final Stages; and No. 14 — Defamation Bill 2006 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed). It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 7a shall be...

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: We are not at that stage. While I understand the Deputy's concerns, we are not at the stage where that issue must be addressed at all. The present position is the Commission is working to a mandate from the Council. As Deputy Kenny knows, the Commissioner must work to that mandate on the agricultural side in line with the Council mandate. That is the position. We may not have a deal at all.

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: What is wrong here——

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I must say this. What is wrong here——

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Yes, we have.

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Unanimity is involved in all of this. This does not help those of us who want to get a referendum through, deal with the issue and have the referendum debate about what is in the treaty, not what is not in it.

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: If we want to do that, then we must stop this continuous speculation on another issue which may not come to pass. All it is doing is raising hares.

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Commission, upon negotiation, must come back to the Council and the Council must agree. That is the position. We know what the procedures are and let us not deal with a procedural issue which is not germane to the very important national interests which are at stake in this referendum.

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The talks themselves have been going on for seven years.

Order of Business (14 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: They may go on for some time longer.