Results 1,341-1,360 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Let us have a critique but let us ensure the national interest of the country is best served.

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy is well aware that I am not in a position to divulge any discussions that take place at the Cabinet in respect of the various adjustments to be made and that must be made by governments in this country between now and 2014. All of the commitments in the programme for Government or in any programme for Government to which Deputy Gilmore subscribed are dependent on the maintenance...

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The effort by Deputy Gilmore to give credence to all speculation as fact is not something to which I can subscribe. I am in the business of leading-----

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I wish to answer Deputy Gilmore. It will not stop him speculating whatever view he wants because thousands of students are coming to protest and march, as they are entitled to do, about their concerns in third level education.

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: We know the game Deputy Gilmore is playing but the reality for the Government is that it must examine these issues carefully and bring forward a budgetary policy that is credible. I recall the decision that was made when the Labour Party was last in government, which was to eliminate all fees regardless of income.

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That was not the most socially progressive thing that ever happened-----

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----since it allowed those who were well capable of paying fees to pay nothing, thereby limiting the number of people from lower socio-economic backgrounds accessing education.

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That was not a sustainable model either.

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: But it was very popular at the time and the Labour Party thought it might hold on to its middle class vote but, unfortunately, the tide had gone out for the party. We all know what was behind that one. I am not in the business of playing games either. I am in the business-----

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: -----of trying to bring forward a budgetary strategy. All of us in government, taking into account everything that we are trying to achieve to find ways forward that will ensure we have a well-funded sector. Where one has a situation where 35% less revenue is available than was the case prior to this crisis, it is clear that one cannot continue to borrow for day-to-day expenses on an...

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: That in turn has been a strong selling point for the country in terms of attracting investment and to facilitate entrepreneurs at home in finding people with the requisite skills to generate jobs in the future. All those issues must be examined. Deputy Gilmore is aware of the scale of the adjustment that must be provided so that we can continue to not alone reduce deficits but to fund them...

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: It is very easy for the Opposition to come to the House and say, as it has been doing in public, that it agrees with the targets and the 3% but that it has no costing on the proposal, that it does not believe it will be €15 billion or that one should cut this or that.

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Opposition can play that game but it is not very credible. The more it does so the fewer believe it.

Leaders' Questions (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The more the Opposition's argument is exposed to scrutiny the more holes appear in it.

EU Summits (3 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 6, inclusive, together. I attended the October meeting of the European Council in Brussels on 28 and 29 October. As I will be making a statement to the House later today, I will confine myself to giving a summary account of the proceedings now. The Council endorsed the outcome of the task force on economic governance, chaired by President Van Rompuy, and...

Written Answers — Regulatory Management: Regulatory Management (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The OECD Report on Better Regulation in Ireland was published today on the OECD website. It had been presented to Government in October to note its upcoming publication. The publication of the Report is being formally marked by a special conference organised by my Department in which the OECD will participate on 29th of this month. The Report recognises the considerable progress made on the...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The following table details grants paid by my Department, to date in 2010. These amounts were paid under Subhead C, Commemoration Initiatives Fund which is a fund established to make resources available to groups and organisations for the study and commemoration of historic events of national importance. By providing financial support to local organisations, the aim of the Fund is to assist...

Written Answers — Ireland Newfoundland Partnership: Ireland Newfoundland Partnership (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: The Ireland Newfoundland Partnership (INP) was established in 2001 on foot of a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Government of Ireland and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The original agreement, signed by former Taoiseach John Bruton in 1996, together with then Premier of Newfoundland, Brian Tobin, was re-affirmed by my predecessor, Mr. Ahern in 1999 and 2004. The role...

Written Answers — Departmental Properties: Departmental Properties (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together. My Department does not rent or lease any premises or sites.

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (2 Nov 2010)

Brian Cowen: Procurement of goods and services by my Department is carried out under procedures recommended by the National Public Procurement Policy Unit in the Department of Finance which is responsible for procurement policy, national procurement guidelines and the application of EU directives. These procedures are designed to ensure that appropriate competitive processes are in place to select the...