Results 1,241-1,260 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy asked if he can assume that what I have been saying is incorrect. He can take it that most of the time what he says is incorrect. That is usually the problem when one tries to turn assertion into fact. It is never a good idea.

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Absolutely, Deputy.

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Did Deputy Kenny read his party's policy document before he went on the radio last Sunday?

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Did he leave the costings at home or what? On the commitment given last year to have another 200 posts, we ensured this was done. In the context of budgets, when one is in a Government one is not in a position to discuss budgets or Estimates until everything is signed off. It is not correct for the Deputy to make the sort of points he is making or to make any assumptions in that regard.

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I know what is in the programme for Government and I can quote the Deputy's programme for Government. Every programme for Government, if the Deputy were to read them-----

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy went on about this for about ten minutes.

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The difference is that I negotiated the treaty and probably saw ten drafts of it before the Deputy even heard of it. Discussions are ongoing in relation to all of these matters to try to secure an outcome that meets with the requirements of the situation. All programmes for Government, including those signed by the Deputy's former leader - the Deputy was a member of a Government himself -...

Programme for Government (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: On the electoral commission, the Deputy's question should be directed at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I am sure an update on the progress being made on the matter can be provided. I cannot deal with each individual commitment in front of me as I am dealing with matters generally. The legislation to which the Deputy refers is at an advanced stage of...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The table details all payments made to external solicitors and barristers whose services were procured directly by my Department or by agencies or bodies under its aegis, in the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010, the reason for such procurement and details of the procurement procedure completed in each case: The Commission of Investigation (Dublin and Monaghan Bombings 1974) Year...

Written Answers — Departmental Reports: Departmental Reports (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the table. Some reports commissioned by my Department have contributed to the development and formulation of Government policy and planning by providing analysis and feedback in areas such as better regulation, quality customer service, pensions and the annuities market. Recommendations are being implemented as appropriate. Other reports...

Written Answers — Telecommunications Services: Telecommunications Services (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: My Department operates Lo-Call 1890 (non geographic) numbers, in addition to standard geographic numbers. A note to the effect that rates charged for the use of the 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers is included on my Department's website and telephone directory entries. My Department is taking steps to ensure that this note is included in all other applicable...

Written Answers — Daylight Savings Time: Daylight Savings Time (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Office of Public Works carries out this task on my Department's behalf and their records indicate that the cost in man hours of changing clocks from summer time to winter time and vice versa is six hours.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Given the level of legislation and important work the Dáil must complete between now and Christmas, 2011 is the earliest time at which that Bill might be taken.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The last proposed Bill to which the Deputy referred was the financial services (miscellaneous provisions) Bill and it is due for 2011. Similarly, the proposed Central Bank No. 2 Bill will come first and then the consolidation Bill will come thereafter, again hopefully next year.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy should have been here for discussions last Friday.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It was not the Government's fault.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: On Deputy Sheahan's second point, I agree this is an issue that must be addressed. There is a Bill before the Seanad that was introduced by Senator Quinn and which the Minister for Finance has taken up. They have decided to work with amendments on that Bill to process it further. I agree this is an issue that requires statutory provision.

Order of Business (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: As far as I am aware, there are no proposals in that area.

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I will make a general point before taking up the Deputy's specific question. The Central Bank and the Financial Regulator have set capital levels for the banks to ensure they can absorb losses across all parts of their loan books, including mortgages, and the loss assumptions used by the Central Bank followed an extensive examination of the banks. The assumptions applied were tougher than...

Leaders' Questions (9 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy does not add any validity to his point by engaging in rhetoric about inflaming markets and impending catastrophes. I accept there are difficulties in the mortgage sector. Of the more than 1 million mortgages in this country, some 930,000 are being dealt with as planned. Of the remaining 70,000, some 36,000 are in arrears. We have redesigned the mortgage interest relief scheme...