Results 11,641-11,660 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Taoiseach dealt with this matter comprehensively during Question Time yesterday.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is not possible to say when the dentists or animal health Bills will come into the House but the electricity regulation (EirGrid) (amendment) Bill will be published this session.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The criminal law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill will be published some time later this year.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: A debate in the House on the Electoral Commission's report is the first step to be taken before taking any legislation on it. There has been much comment on it from all sides of the House and it would be good to have the views of the House expressed in a debate. Regarding the correct answer to the Deputy's first question, I presume it is in relation to the new boundaries. However, I will...

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is best to get clarification from the line Minister and I will ask him to communicate with all Deputies.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am not aware of the debate which took place but I take it that the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Micheál Martin, and other Government spokespersons were talking about the general regulatory review that is being undertaken at present. If that is the case, the first report on that is due in July. I am not aware of any impending legislation coming before the Cabinet...

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: It is never any other way.

Order of Business (14 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In response to the Deputy, we look forward to him joining us for the Committee Stage of the Finance Bill, when we can discuss these matters.

Written Answers — Northern Ireland Issues: Northern Ireland Issues (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy may be referring to the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). The SEUPB was established in December 1999 as one of six North South Implementation Bodies set up under the Good Friday Agreement. Its primary role is to manage two cross border European Union programmes, the PEACE programme and the Ireland/Northern Ireland/Scotland INTERREG programme. The Peace and Reconciliation...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: As requested by the Deputy the following tables show the progress made by my Department and the agencies under the aegis of my Department which are due to decentralise. Department of Finance. Locations Tullamore Kildare Number of posts* to be decentralised 130 Up to 30 Number who have moved 124 0 Number assigned but not yet moved 1 26 Number assigned who are new recruits 12 4 As my...

Written Answers — Public Service Contracts: Public Service Contracts (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The responsibility for contract reviews for large projects over €30 million rests with the Sponsoring Department and I would refer the Deputy to the Departments concerned for further information. In relation to my Department, my Department does not have any capital projects over €30 million. The formalised contract reviews are liable to review by the Central Expenditure Evaluation Unit...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Sustaining Progress allowed for the procurement of scarce ICT skills by way of open recruitment. The Department of Finance availed of those provisions to recruit 4 such people on a full-time basis. Also on a number of occasions, some key individuals with specialist ICT and procurement skills and knowledge have been seconded to my Department from other parts of the public service to work on...

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Responsibility for appointing project managers is a matter for the sponsoring Department. Confirmation that they comply with this and other aspects of the Capital Appraisal Guidelines is included in their Annual Capital Report which is submitted to my Department. All of these reports are expected to be submitted to my Department over the next few weeks.

Written Answers — Compulsory Purchase Orders: Compulsory Purchase Orders (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In my address to the Dublin Chambers of Commerce on 20th October 2005 on Value for Money, I noted that pro-active use of existing compulsory purchase order powers in appropriate circumstances could facilitate the faster release of lands at a cost effective price for all forms of public infrastructure and that I would be directing Government Departments to this effect. As regards details of...

Written Answers — Departmental Performance Tables: Departmental Performance Tables (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Performance Table for Government Departments and State Agencies of project outcomes against budget on contract was published for the first time in the 2007 Public Capital Programme and it will feature in the 2008 edition which is due to be published on 21st February next.

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The recommendations of the Decentralisation Implementation Group, including those in relation to the filling of posts by recruitment and promotion as raised by the Deputy, have been accepted by Government and are currently being followed up by my Department. The filling of vacancies by local recruitment is under way following an open recruitment competition for Clerical Officers which was...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: The Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) was established on 3 January 1984. Role of TLAC The Committee's role is to recommend candidates to Ministers and Government for the most senior positions in the Civil Service at Assistant Secretary level and upwards. Subject to certain exclusions, TLAC deals with all posts at or above the level of Assistant Secretary or equivalent across the Civil...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: In accordance with the National Lottery Act, 1986, all seven board members, including the Chairman, are appointed by the Minister for Finance. Four of the directors, including the Chairman, are nominated for appointment by An Post while three are both nominated and appointed by the Minister for Finance.

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the Customs Consultative Committee was established in 1994. It continues to meet about four times each year. The Committee's overall objective is to provide a two-way forum for Revenue and trade representative organisations to consult and exchange views on issues affecting the Customs treatment of imports and exports and, in particular, such...

Written Answers — Departmental Bodies: Departmental Bodies (13 Feb 2008)

Brian Cowen: Irish Telecommunications Investment Limited, ITI for short, was established as a wholly-owned state company by the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs on 1 April 1981 to obtain funds to help finance the telecommunications development programme. Legislation at the time empowered the Minister for Finance to guarantee borrowings by the company within statutory limits and to hold shares in the...