Results 12,001-12,020 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Issues to be debated in the House are a matter for the Whips at any time and we try to get agreement on that. These are strategic infrastructures that are required. Deputies talk about the need for improving competitiveness, energy costs and so on and, consistent with dealing with public issues of concern, we wish to proceed with that as soon as possible. I am aware, however, that this...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Plans are afoot to set up a commission to examine local authority boundaries in the context of the subsequent work done at national level by the constituency commission. While it takes away somewhat from being able to come forward with a Green Paper on local authority reform within the period set out in the programme for Government, it is expected the Minister will be able to introduce some...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is a separate issue. I do not wish to contradict that but Deputy Ciarán Lynch raised a separate matter on a Green Paper on local authority structures and reform.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: No, that is not the case. The Deputies can have a discussion on it between themselves as it might help. I always believed the Labour Whip ruled that side of the House with an iron hand.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: My apologies to the Deputy and I will ask the matter be dealt with immediately and that he is informed of the situation.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The ombudsman amendment Bill will be published before the start of the next session. The adoption Bill is due for this session.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: We have given €5.7 billion in agricultural supports.

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: These issues are taken up in the Green Paper on pensions which is up for discussion. The possibility of updating pensions legislation to deal with these issues might be more appropriate. We must await what comes back from the Green Paper discussions. Her issue should be part of these discussions.

Estimates for Public Services 2007 (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move the following Supplementary Estimates:

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is proposed to take No. 7, Supplementary Estimates for Public Services [Votes 25, 26, 27, 31, 32, 35, 37 and 40] (back from committee); No. 7a, motion re establishment of joint committee on economic regulatory affairs; No. 7b, motion re appointment of Members to committee; and No. 3, Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Bill 2007 — Order for Second Stage and Second Stage. It is proposed,...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: Some issues were raised on the Supplementary Estimates in the Select Committee on Health and Children and I understand the Minister has undertaken to put forward that information during the course of the day. The real issue here is the question of the taking of Supplementary Estimates at the end of the financial year. On the Health Estimate, we are seeking the approval of Dáil Éireann to a...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: ——but today we are talking about whether further moneys were being voted in the Supplementary Estimate. The second point I would make relates to matters raised by Deputy Bruton. There is a programme commitment about revising and seeing how we can improve the economic regulatory environment generally. That does not take away from the work of any parliamentary committee. These are...

Order of Business. (13 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I join the Deputy in saying that the referendum proposal will require a full effort from everybody in the House who supports our membership of the EU and its development to make sure that the issue at stake is the one that dominates the campaign. It is clear that the reform treaty being signed this morning is in many respects a modernisation of the institutional arrangements, which is...

Written Answers — Tax Collection: Tax Collection (12 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand from the Chief State Solicitor's Office that it has been in correspondence with the applicant's solicitor and expects to submit the matter to my Department very shortly. I can assure the Deputy that this matter will be dealt with as soon as possible.

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I indicated in my Budget Statement that the tax code will be amended to assist in maximising the take up of decommissioning payments and full details will be provided in the Finance Bill. There are no plans to extend these provisions to other sectors. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources established a Hardship Fund of up to €25 million to address the hardship...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (12 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The reform of stamp duty on residential property has been introduced with immediate effect from Budget day, 5th December. However, and as with the abolition of stamp duty for first-time buyers which I introduced earlier this year, the benefit of the changes will cover some conveyances executed prior to that date. Conveyances executed on or after 5 November 2007 had a statutory 30 day period...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (12 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that they have no plans at this stage to move the location of the Wicklow Revenue District. The information on the CAF website relating to the relocation of the Wicklow Revenue District to Athy is incorrect and will be removed as quickly as possible.

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together. The Ethics Acts (i.e. the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 and the Standards in Public Office Act 2001) already allow the Standards in Public Office Commission, where it considers it appropriate to do so, to launch 'own initiative' investigations, where no formal complaint has been made. Issues concerning non-office holding members of...

Written Answers — Salary Agreements: Salary Agreements (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: The pay of political office holders is covered by the terms of reference of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector. The Review Body, which was established in 1969, is a independent standing body whose primary function is to advise the Government on the general levels of remuneration appropriate to higher public servants (civil service, local authorities, health boards,...

Written Answers — Energy Resources: Energy Resources (11 Dec 2007)

Brian Cowen: In relation to the heating of my Department's offices the fuels used are natural gas and oil, which are from non renewable sources. The supply of electrical energy to my Department is provided by two of the major suppliers of electricity to the national grid. While the supply from these providers is not principally from renewable sources, I understand that this supply does include a component...