Results 12,681-12,700 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is interesting that in discussions on policy evolution and development Deputy Bruton is to the fore in the House in calling for considered consultation papers and highlighting the need for Green Papers to be provided in order that informed debate can take place.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I obviously paid the Deputy a compliment he could not accept. This is a matter of complexity and importance which looks to the long-term financial, economic and social sustainability of the pension system. It must take into account many factors, including the actuarial review that has taken place with regard to the PRSI system. A number of major documents were published and placed in the...

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The work to be undertaken by committees is a matter for each committee. It seems clear from Deputy Gilmore's statement that he has made up his mind on these matters already and sees an opportunity in so doing. The Minister is anxious to come into the House to explain the position in respect of the matter not brought to his attention but which everyone agrees should have been. Substantive...

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The road safety strategy was adopted by Government in recent weeks and therefore work will begin on it.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: We are awaiting a Law Reform Commission report, which is due next year, before deciding in what way or if we will proceed with that issue.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The presumption is that they are.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I do not know if there is any substance to what the Deputy has said. I will have the Minister's office contact her. There is a legal presumption that they are in order.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: It is not on our list. Ministers work on these issues and initiatives as they go through their five year term. A direct question to the Minister would indicate the progress she expects to make.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: There is no legislation on the list. There are initiatives in the programme for Government that we work on subject to the availability of resources. That is the normal course.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: It was not discussed recently. That is a question for legislation next year, I understand.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I understand the property services regulatory authority Bill is due next year.

Order of Business (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: There are draft heads of a judicial council Bill, the purpose of which is to provide effective remedies for complaints about judicial misbehaviour including lay participation in the investigation of the complaints, in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The draft heads, taking into account the work done by the Constitution Review Group, the All-Party Committee on the...

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: The regulatory requirements of retail credit and home reversion firms are different from those for bureau de change or money transmission businesses, particularly in relation to consumer protection and competency. As a result, the Financial Regulator may need to impose conditions or requirements on authorised firms which are not explicitly provided for in the 1997 Act. Accordingly, the...

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: Because they are not taking money from the public and do not have deposits, prudential issues do not arise.

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: Those companies were subject to regulation. The problem arose from the particular model they were utilising at a time when the inter-bank markets became illliquid. In a situation such as Deputy Bruton cites, the fundamental business of a bank remains in operation, it continues to do business and can trade its way out of difficulties. It was the failure to have access to funds, based on the...

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I explained in my initial contribution that this section deals with the introduction of further legislative arrangements to cover these firms in respect of home reversion products and so on. We are adding to what is already provided for under Part V of the Central Bank Act 1997. Part V already provides the framework for the supervision of regulated businesses and applies to bureaux de...

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: Yes. There are provisions in the 1997 Act requiring such firms to keep records here so that they can be inspected and these provisions apply to those firms. In answer to Deputy Bruton's question, I do not know the actual time limit involved but the Financial Regulator abides by its own code of conduct for the time it takes to consider claims and issue authorisations or registrations. I can...

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I have received some notes relating to Report Stage, which I will circulate to spokespersons.

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move amendmentNo. 20: In page 18, after line 15, to insert the following new section: 20.—The Freedom of Information Act 1997 is amended by inserting in Part 1 of the Third Schedule— (a) in column (2), "Ordnance Survey Ireland Act 2001", (b) in column (1), opposite the reference to the Ordnance Survey Ireland Act 2001, "No. 43 of 2001", and (c) in column (3), opposite the reference to...

Markets in Financial Instruments and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2007: Committee Stage (Resumed) and Remaining Stages (18 Oct 2007)

Brian Cowen: I move amendmentNo. 21: In page 18, after line 15, to insert the following new section: 21.—The Credit Union Act 1997 (Alteration of Financial Limits) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 193 of 2007) are revoked. The purpose of this amendment is to revoke the Credit Union Act 1997 (Alteration of Financial Limits) Regulations 2007. I stated yesterday that SI 193 of 2007 was brought into force to...