Results 11,461-11,480 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Tax Code. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Sorry, Deputy, for the purposes of the House, I am giving information. The Deputy is shouting across trying to win an argument that his party lost.

Tax Code. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The fact, as the Deputy knows, although he is trying to stop me from saying it, is that the nominal growth rate assumptions in both sets of proposals were similar. My economic growth rate was slightly higher and my inflation rate was slightly lower, while the Deputy's proposals were based on a slightly lower nominal growth rate and higher inflation rate. It worked out at approximately 7.5%....

Economic Forecasts. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: My Department's economic forecasts have not changed from those published on budget day, when GDP growth of 3% was projected for this year with GNP growth of 2.8%. With regard to what the Taoiseach said in his recent speech to the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, there is no inconsistency. He was speaking in approximate terms. Furthermore, among economic commentators, the current range for...

Economic Forecasts. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is a new line of attack from the Labour Party to suggest that I should have a tighter fiscal policy and no deficits. Perhaps the party would outline, in the course of the next weeks and months, what areas of current and capital expenditure it wishes to cut so we can accommodate its new fiscal stance. I will be glad to hear that. Comparing the challenges currently facing the economy as...

Economic Forecasts. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I have just explained that I reject the Deputy's contention that we are working off the same base as 1980. We are in a far different position. There will be rising unemployment but there will also be rising unemployment in the European and global economies. There will be lower growth rates. We are transitioning to lower medium and long-term growth rates than was the case in the halcyon...

Economic Forecasts. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am giving the Deputy my views.

Economic Forecasts. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The budgetary stance I took, taking into account all of the downside risks, was to provide an impetus into the economy of approximately 1.5% of GNP. I have increased the capital programme by 12% but the Deputy obviously believes that is too much. I await the list of the Deputy's proposals for cutting it and day to day spending. Otherwise, she does not have credibility.

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: A progress report by the decentralisation implementation group, DIG, was submitted to me and published on 8 October last. The group reported that implementation of the Civil Service element of the decentralisation programme is progressing. From the announcement of the programme in December 2003, the focus has been on detailed planning and organisation of the property, staffing and business...

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I do not accept whatsoever the assertion the Deputy makes on the progress being made on this programme. He might, if he has not already done so, read the decentralisation implementation group reports which have been published since it was first set up, which contain a number of revised timescales as a result of the work it has been doing. All of those reports have been accepted by the...

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In any event, the real position is that 2,000 people are already in position. Another 2,000 have committed to moving. The rate at which they will move during the course of this year will depend on the progress made in finalising the building programme and so forth. Considerable progress has been made and it is very early in the year yet to give a definitive answer as to where we will end...

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: To answer the Deputy's question——

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was in the House at the time the commitment was made——

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Is it? That is news to me.

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I hope the Deputy can speak with authority on the matter on behalf of his party because that is certainly not what his party spokesman has been indicating to me for the past several months.

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Absolutely. A voluntary programme was initiated in 2003. My predecessor indicated his hope that it would be substantially concluded by 2006. If the Deputy's criticism——

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: If the Deputy's criticism is that they should have been involuntarily moved by now——

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: That is not our position.

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: You have opposed it, all along. All your lives.

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was here in the 1980s when Fine Gael postponed a programme.

Decentralisation Programme. (26 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I was here in the 1980s.