Results 15,441-15,460 of 19,445 for speaker:Brian Cowen
- Industrial Disputes. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy asks me to get into a high level of detail. The problem is that we have a stand-off whereby we have not been able to get down to the business of ascertaining the number of staff who want to move as distinct from those who have been told to stand back from the situation until they see where the industrial relations process is bringing them. We are moving to a situation beyond having...
- Industrial Disputes. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy is aware of how this process works. As a former Minister for Enterprise and Employment, when a dispute or issue arose, he took the proper advice to stay out of the individual situation and let the parties sit downââ
- Industrial Disputes. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: With respect, we are trying to proceed with an implementation of a programme which has these complexities attaching to it. There was a stand-off but an IR process is proceeding. The parties should be allowed to discuss those issues in the next two months. If the issues are unresolved, let them go to the Labour Court. We should await the recommendations that come from that process so we can...
- Industrial Disputes. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: The decentralisation implementation group has identified early movers and bodies that can proceed with some degree of speed and in which one can see how the matter can be progressed in the context of property solutions and the staff being trained and transferred to other Departments. It is not a question of everything stopping until everything goes. Some bodies are less problematic and can...
- Industrial Disputes. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: Other Deputies have been able to listen to my response without interrupting. It is very irritating. I do not know why the Deputy keeps interrupting me. A parallel agreement in respect of professional and technical grades similar to the general grades is being discussed. As I stated with regard to the State agency sector, promotions must take account of the reality of decentralisation. We must...
- Pension Provisions. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: The pensions policy in the non-commercial bodies is that recommended by the pensions commission and accepted by the Government, that is, the defined benefit model is generally used. However, there may be circumstances where, if staff are engaged on private sector pay terms and conditions, a defined contribution arrangement is appropriate. In regard to commercial State bodies, pension schemes...
- Pension Provisions. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: My reply clearly states that pensions are, in the first instance, primarily a matter for the relevant board. Commercial State bodies have their own autonomy and it is for them to work out with their stakeholders how they wish to proceed on such matters. They seek my approval in regard to their pension scheme only after they have reached agreement on it at that level. The principle that guides...
- Pension Provisions. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: I am not saying anything under my breath. I have said that the primary responsibility for these matters rests with the individual boards. The question of the sustainability of a pension scheme and the issues that arise in this regard will vary from board to board and body to body. The defined benefit scheme has generally been the norm in the non-commercial sector. Difficulties may arise in...
- Pension Provisions. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: The general pensions policy has been discussed in some detail in the context of social partnership. The agreement we have obtained includes a commitment to the production of a Green Paper on this issue in the next 12 months. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has begun the process of consultation in this regard and I will also be centrally involved in terms of any issues that may...
- Tax Code. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: The Deputy refers to two separate circumstances of potential abuse of the tax system. The first relates to section 86 of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003, known as the family home relief, which provides an exemption in regard to second dwellings. With regard to section 86 of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003, the purpose of this exemption is to benefit...
- Tax Code. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: Unfortunately, the supplementary questions were prepared prior to my giving the answer. With regard to the first part of the Deputy's question on section 86, I have pointed out that the Revenue Commissioners do no have evidence of abuse as suggested. Claims under the section represent less than 3% of the cases. It is very unfortunate that the Deputy is suggesting that we are not giving her...
- Tax Code. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: I reject the usual innuendoes from that side of the House regarding these matters. Unfortunately, I must listen to the same old stuff every day. I have no personal knowledge of anyone availing of such exceptions or reliefs. As is the requirement and norm for questions, I am giving the relevant information rather than engaging in assertion and innuendo. The reviews are being carried out at the...
- Cross-Border Projects. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: The all-island dimension will be an important horizontal theme of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, which will be published next November. We face common challenges in the two parts of the island, such as the need to invest in infrastructure, energy provision, education and training, new technology and research and development. Co-operation in those and other areas can be of mutual...
- Cross-Border Projects. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: Given the logic of an island economy, it is an important horizontal theme cutting across the entire plan whereby one avoids duplication, applying a strategic framework that makes sense and is of mutual benefit to the two jurisdictions. That is eminently sensible and complies with the letter and spirit of the Agreement. It is true that there is an institutional requirement for everyone to...
- Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: I recall the Deputy's silence when she was in Government.
- Order of Business. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: Deputy Rabbitte is an insulting boyo. When the pompous mask comes down we see it.
- Social Partnership Agreements. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: We are very proud of that.
- Social Partnership Agreements. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: That was the Democratic Left contribution to the Government.
- Social Partnership Agreements. (28 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: It was tried once and it did not work.
- Written Answers — Services for People with Disabilities: Services for People with Disabilities (27 Jun 2006)
Brian Cowen: A special Interdepartmental Review Group reviewed the operation of the Disabled Drivers Scheme. The terms of reference of the Group were to examine the operation of the existing scheme, including the difficulties experienced by the various groups and individuals involved with it, and to consider the feasibility of alternative schemes, with a view to assisting the Minister for Finance in...