Results 11,121-11,140 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is open to this House to do what it wishes about it if we can get a consensus and perhaps a political will should be developed here to stand up for what we would regard as more common-sense solutions than those that are before us. What we usually do is delegate the responsibility elsewhere, the report comes before the House and we do not have the political courage to sort something out...

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Because it is so politically correct, we do not interfere but stand back. It could be open to people in this House to come up with solutions if they so wish.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am very strongly of the view that if there is a will in this House, an all-party committee could meet to discuss whether a solution can be found. Obviously one person's solution might be another person's problem. We could arrange for a minimum 20-seat representation for the Labour Party and that should sort out the problem.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have gone to my constituency's political meeting and asked the people of south Offaly for their views on this issue.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have gone with the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, who is a great friend of mine, to the vote in north Tipperary and vice versa. One sees the camáin being taken out of the boots of cars. I have given an undertaking to the people I represent. That boundary has not been breached since the foundation of the State.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is possible for us as public representatives to galvanise ourselves and create some collective political will to deal with issues we know in our hearts and souls to be anomalous. We will accept them if we have to but perhaps we should consider doing our job.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore would be surprised how much support he would find among those seated behind him for such an approach. Perhaps I am speaking more often than he to those Members, but I know he is working on it.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Gilmore is held in high regard by those seated behind him. On the civil partnership Bill, it was stated in the Dáil that the Minister would bring his proposals to the Government by the end of March. He has met that deadline. The proposed scheme draws on the options identified by the working group on domestic partnership, under the chairmanship of Ms Anne Colley, and the...

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: We will deal with the Bill this year.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: No, they are being drafted. The Minister said in the Dáil that he would bring his proposals on how to address this issue to the Government. That was done.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I wish to respond to that.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Deputy O'Dowd makes an important point and it is important that we are accurate about the statutory position. Submissions can be made to the commission, as the Deputy observed. The commission then brings forward its recommendations to this House and it is open to us to accept all, any or none of them.

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is time that this sovereign Parliament took upon itself the responsibilities arising in this area. If we have a difficulty with the commission's recommendations and can devise a consensus around modifications or changes, why should we not do so on behalf of the constituents who are declaring such dissatisfaction? Perhaps the difference between me and Deputy O'Dowd is that I never joined...

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: The commission puts forward a recommendation. We can agree to change that recommendation on the basis of consensus. What is the problem with that?

Order of Business (3 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I understood from the Taoiseach's reply on yesterday's Order of Business that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform hopes to bring forward proposals on below-cost selling during this session. It is my understanding that the more comprehensive general sale of alcohol legislation will be taken later. The Minister is prioritising the below-cost selling aspect of the Holmes report...

Written Answers — Legislation on Gambling: Legislation on Gambling (2 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Section 23 (1) of the Betting Act, 1931 prohibits licensed bookmakers from engaging in a betting transaction with a person under the age of eighteen years whether such person is acting on their own behalf or as an agent for another person. This law is applicable to race tracks and betting shops. The Totalisator Act, 1929 provides that the Minister for Finance can grant licences to set up,...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: There is no proposal by the European Commission to further harmonise VAT in relation to petrol or diesel. There is a proposal for a Council Directive amending the Energy Tax Directive regarding tax treatment of motor fuel for commercial purposes and the co-ordination of taxation of unleaded petrol and gas oil used as motor fuel. This proposal, published in March 2007, is aimed at tackling...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (2 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I would like to start by clarifying that neither I, nor my Department are party to the discussions which take place within RTE on pension matters. Furthermore, neither I nor my Department would be aware of, or make any input to such discussions, which are between the Company as employer and its staff. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is responsible in the first...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that in order for tax relief on contributions to a Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) to be given in a previous tax year a claim by the taxpayer must be made on or before the relevant return filing date for that previous tax year. This claim may be made without the immediate production of the relevant certificate from the PRSA provider. In...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (2 Apr 2008)

Brian Cowen: Since the £5 travel tax was abolished in Budget 2000 there have been no Irish Government taxes levied on flights into, out of or within Ireland. I understand that the National Consumer Agency is currently pursuing the issue of airline-generated charges and other such fees directly with a number of airline companies.