Results 10,661-10,680 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is asking me to express an opinion on an issue relating to nine public servants out of a total of 3,400 who have moved or who are assigned to move, with whom there is no problem.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is probably the only example the Deputy can quote.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I can quote far more examples of where it is working. The problem I have with some of this debate since it began is that people are talking out of both sides of their mouths. They ask why it has not happened by now and in the meantime they are opposed to it. Do people want civil and public servants to stay or to go? People should take a position and then let us figure out how——

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I want decentralisation to work. I believe in decentralisation.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am addressing the Deputy's questions.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I can express an opinion in reply on what I believe is the Deputy's position. I can do that in the House and the Deputy can stand up and disagree with me. I do not have to be kowtowed to. I could bring up the local newspapers, which inquire non-stop about when we will have decentralisation, but when I come into the House people tell me not to let it happen. I believe and know from...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Some 1,000 people working in State agencies have applied to the Central Applications Facility.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: That has always been my position. As the Deputy knows, there was an IR problem in the FÁS test case that was taken and everybody stepped back to wait and see the outcome. That is fair enough and I understand that. The Labour Court suggested how we would proceed. The Labour Court did not present a recommendation and tell us to go back to the status quo ante but provided a means by which...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: Let the Deputy ask me a short question and I will give a short answer.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I thank Deputy Flanagan for putting out item No. 1 on his A list to the Taoiseach for resolution of constituency problems. On a serious note, I will have the matter examined and see whether there are plans to consolidate. I cannot answer the Deputy at the moment but this is an issue in which we will have a joint interest and we will try to find a joint solution.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, and 121 together. A total of 32 staff currently serving out of the authorised core staffing complement of 193 in my Department have applied through the central applications facility to relocate under the decentralisation programme. The breakdown by grade is one principal officer, five assistant principals, three higher executive officers,...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The OECD has not said that. The Deputy did not give a fair reading of the situation. The OECD was not asked to comment on any Government policy, including decentralisation. The report makes the point that the ambitious and voluntary decentralisation programme is challenging and the Government accepts that is the case. There has been significant progress in the programme. To date,...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not specific to the decentralisation programme but general.

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: In respect of the State agency side of the equation, State agency moves in total account for 20% of the total programme. So one fifth of the programme is in the State agency sector. There have been specific industrial relations difficulties in respect of the State agency sector as a result of the case brought by FÁS and the unions in respect of a FÁS directive, which was decided upon by...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The suggestion that the ICT area is in abeyance in FÁS is wrong. FÁS has come up with other solutions to deal with that problem, knowing there was an industrial relations issue regarding the relocation to Birr. The responsibility is with management and COs working with the unions when they can and the terms of engagement can be agreed to move these things along. It is moving more slowly...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not a question of drift. There is a proposal to decentralise and in the meantime, people get on with their work in their current location. In fairness to those staff, for the purposes of trying to bring some clarification to what the organisational arrangements will be, it would be best if there was an engagement between staff and management so that they can scope the issue and try to...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: To be clear, Deputy Gilmore made a point about the OECD report and I refer to the interpretation he places on it. The OECD has not criticised the decentralisation policy nor has it said it is a bad idea. It said that if it is not properly implemented, if it is not carried out in a planned way, there could be the prospect of fragmentation. I wish to be clear from the point of view of our...

Decentralisation Programme. (13 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: ——in the report, which I acknowledge. The note of caution indicated that a longer-term plan is needed in how the decentralisation programme will affect performance and meet the needs of the public. Such a plan would help to address the challenges decentralisation might present to further modernisation efforts. We are mindful of the impacts that decentralisation could have on delivery...

Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State (8 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: I wish to announce, for the information of the Dáil: (1) that, having informed the President that Dáil Éireann had approved my nomination of Deputies to be members of the Government, the President, on 7 May 2008, appointed them accordingly; (2) that, on the same date, I nominated Deputy Mary Coughlan to be the Tánaiste and assigned the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to...

Appointment of Members of Government and Ministers of State (8 May 2008)

Brian Cowen: The old arrangement worked exceedingly well.