Results 15,021-15,040 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The only thing I recall during that period was silence from the Labour Party because——

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I listened in silence to what Opposition Members had to say because it would have shown up the obvious disagreement between the Fine Gael and Labour parties on the issue. The Government is in favour of a strong and independent Aer Lingus. Access to private equity, which has been provided for now, enables the company to proceed with a strategic plan. Ryanair has made a proposal on what it...

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Sorry, the figure has increased to 19% in the past couple of days, which is a long way away from the majority shareholding the company seeks. There are regulatory frameworks to deal with competition and other questions and the Government is preparing to engage fully in rigorous support of the public interest.

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: One should not draw conclusions from the fact that one company wishes to proceed in a certain way because it does not necessarily mean that will happen.

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Deputy obviously does not have a grasp of Stock Exchange rules if he thinks we can go off and talk to the ESOT on this matter. We cannot do so. Perhaps he should read up a bit on the situation.

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The shareholding of the State is 28.3%. A shareholding of 25.1% ensures that another company cannot acquire the 75% threshold required to force delisting. It also means the company's memorandum and articles of association cannot be changed without the State's agreement. Maintaining this level of shareholding was designed, among other things, to frustrate any hostile takeover attempt. Even...

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The economy has been well served by having at least two domestic airlines providing complementary but different services to and from Ireland. It is due to the value of having more than one domestic airline that a two airline policy was developed in the early 1990s by giving Ryanair exclusive rights on certain routes and securing the future of that company. The Government is firmly of the...

Leaders' Questions (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The Departments of Transport and Finance are working closely with advisers preparing a case for submission to the European Commission and will also consult the Attorney General.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Deputy Joe Higgins is opposed to any private investment in Irish aviation.

Leaders' Questions (Resumed) (11 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Under State ownership Aer Lingus and other companies have suffered job losses, so maintaining State ownership is no guarantee of job security. This strategic plan by the board of Aer Lingus required the sale of shares so it could get access to private equity and leverage for the acquisition of planes and other equipment to develop a long-haul strategy, which can provide greater tourism...

Written Answers — Ministerial Appointments: Ministerial Appointments (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I do not propose to introduce any new system of appointments to the boards of public bodies. The arrangements for the composition of and appointment to the boards of State bodies are usually set out in the legislation establishing the bodies. Normally, these appointments are made by the Minister with responsibility for the body in question, subject to the consent of the Minister for...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 268 together. I am aware of the extra expense that can arise for parents who have children with dyslexia. In recent years, the Government has increased significantly the supports available through the direct expenditure system for children with disabilities, including those with dyslexia. As with many areas where State support may be required, the...

Written Answers — Public Private Partnerships: Public Private Partnerships (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: The same arrangements for scrutiny by the Dáil Committee of Public Accounts that apply to traditionally procured projects apply also to projects procured by means of a public private partnership arrangement. In general terms, this scrutiny applies to project expenditure in areas that are subject to audit or other examination by the Comptroller and Auditor General under the Comptroller and...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: Prior to 1974 female officers were generally required to resign on marriage and received a marriage gratuity in lieu of any pension benefits. Following the abolition of the marriage bar, any officer appointed before 1974 has the option of resigning within two years of marriage and receiving a marriage gratuity or of remaining in employment. Officers who received a marriage gratuity and who...

Written Answers — Tax Code: Tax Code (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that enquiries have revealed that there are no undue delays in the processing of repayment claims. However, if you are aware of a particular instance(s) where the repayment of overpaid taxes has been delayed, you should bring this to the attention of the Regional Office in the Revenue Region dealing with the case(s), who will investigate the matter...

Written Answers — Public Service Staff: Public Service Staff (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: As the Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the policy in relation to the employment of people with disabilities in the civil service. In relation to the other areas of the public sector, each Minister is responsible for compliance with and reporting on the target set in the Disability Act 2005 for the employment of persons with disabilities in the public bodies under his or her aegis....

Written Answers — Tax Yield: Tax Yield (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: In relation to the application of tax revenue to expenditure projects, in the 2006 Budget and Estimates I announced very significant increases in expenditure, particularly for priority areas such as health, education, social welfare and child-care. The allocation of funding to specific sport and playground facilities is a matter for the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism and the Minister...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 264 and 265 together. The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/CSF) 2000-2006 is implemented through seven Operational Programmes (OPs). The most recent expenditure data on the Plan relates to the period to the end December 2005. The data for the first six months of 2006 will be available at the end of October 2006 following the...

Written Answers — National Development Plan: National Development Plan (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together. The National Development Plan/Community Support Framework (NDP/CSF) 2000-2006 is implemented through seven Operational Programmes. The most recent expenditure data for the Southern and Eastern (S&E) Region on the Plan relates to the period to the end December 2005. The data for first six months of 2006 will be available at the end of...

Written Answers — Pension Provisions: Pension Provisions (10 Oct 2006)

Brian Cowen: As outlined to the Deputy in May, a joint Union/Management Working Group was established in January 2005 to examine certain recommendations of the Commission on Public Service Pensions in relation to Public Service Spouses' and Children's Schemes and report to the Minister for Finance on the implementation of same. The Working Group comprises representatives from various Government...